12 year old Epicondyle fracture 5mm displaced

[knights5]

Son got little league elbow at 10 after spring season was over in 10u. I shut him down all of 11u and he started pitching fall of 12u. He only pitched 1 or 2 innings. We played 3 tourneys. No throwing from November until February. 

In the spring of 12u he would pitch 2 innings a weekend. Then in May of 2016 he felt that inner elbow pain again and was diagnosed with little league elbow. Did the no throwing and rehab. Four week later started throwing program and played second base with no pain. Played ss but felt pain, so we went back to 2nd.

It is now 9 weeks after initial discomfort he was throwing from outfield when he heard a pop.

So, my question is what went wrong? Did he start to playing too soon? Could this have been avoided?


My second question is does this mean this mean he has a higher chance of suffering from ligament issues? Doc said he can pitch again because he won't suffer from little league elbow because of the screws. However, I am paranoid that he will forever suffer from sort of arm issue. Should I just shut him down from pitching forever?

They have not done an MRI, so I have no idea what condition his ligaments are.

[Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D.]

Jul 14, 2016 17:33:32 GMT -6 knights5 said:

Doc said he can pitch again because he won't suffer from little league elbow because of the screws.

What screws?

[john54]

Knights5, no reason to second guess what has happened up to this point. Trust me, it will drive you crazy. The best thing you can do for your son at this point is find the right doctor who can figure out what is wrong and develop a plan going forward. If your son's goal is to play high school ball, I would try not to get caught up in the travel ball rat race and focus on getting him healthy. The pop, while very concerning, is not always bad. Could be scar tissue breaking up. Until cleared though, I would have him stay away from all overhead throwing.

[knights5]

Jul 18, 2016 7:24:53 GMT -6 Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D. said:

Jul 14, 2016 17:33:32 GMT -6 knights5 said:

Doc said he can pitch again because he won't suffer from little league elbow because of the screws.

What screws?

Dr. Fleisig, I was told he will be getting two screw inserted. 

Thanks

[knights5]

He is getting an Open Reduction Internal Fixation.

I did f/u with Ortho surgeon who said that son is not predisposed to UCL issues because he suffered from LLE. He also said he can pitch, no worries.

He will never suffer from growth plate issues again.

[Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D.]

knights5,

Please send me a private message by clicking on my name, telling me the name of the ortho surgeon and what area you live. I can then give you some feedback about whether this is worth a second opinion before your young son goes under the knife.

[Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D.]

knight5,

Your son's doctor - Dr. Tom Myers in Atlanta-Myers Orthopedics - is excellent. While no one can give 100% guarantee of anything, I'd be confident in Dr. Myers' diagnosis and prognosis.