MLB World Series Kicks Off: Avoiding Baseball Injuries Like The Pros

This month’s kick-off of The World Series of Major League Baseball sends players to the field to compete for the championship title. Whether you’re an avid fan who plays on a weekly team or just like to head out for a friendly weekend face-off, baseball injuries are a common hindrance to any player’s game – not to mention potentially debilitating – keeping you from the plate for weeks at a time (or longer)!

There are two main types of baseball injuries: cumulative and acute. Cumulative injuries occur overtime, largely as a result of overuse. Aches and pains caused by stress on the muscles, soft tissues or joints can quickly turn into incapacitating injuries if left untreated.

Acute injuries are caused by sudden impact or force, rather than from stress. These can be quite dramatic.

The most common baseball injuries include damage to the shoulder, elbow, back, hand and wrist or knee.

Shoulder:

–        Shoulder tendinitis, bursitis
–        Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
–        Torn rotator cuff or rotator cuff tendonitis
–        Shoulder separation

Elbow:

–        Medial epicondylitis (also known as golfer’s elbow)
–        Bursitis
–        Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Back:

–        Lower back pain
–        Herniated disks
–        Muscle strains

Hand and Wrist:

–        Sprains and fractures
–        Tendinitis
–        Tenosynovitis

Knee:

–        Injuries to the ACL, PCL, MCL or LCL

Whatever your game style, it’s crucial to avoid these injuries wherever possible. Stretching, proper warm up and cool down routines, and appropriate gear go a long way in remaining pain-free on the field.  Also staying in shape, rather than just infrequently moving from the couch to the diamond, is the best way to avoid many of the common baseball injuries that players suffer from.

If you have already sustained a baseball injury, whether cumulative or acute, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Ignoring an ache or pain hoping it will improve on its own will often lead to further deterioration – and leave you in far worse shape.  Instead, head to a sports injury specialist for individualized treatment. Trusting a specialist with your sports related injury is a superior strategy to ensuring effective and efficient treatment!

For more information about common baseball injuries, how to avoid them, or how to treat them, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesmphysiotherapytoronto.ca