Injuries and associated risk factors of the shoulder and elbow among adolescent baseball pitchers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salamh, Paul; Jones, Edward; Bashore, Matthew; Liu, Xinliang; Hegedus, Eric J.
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 43(2020)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Baseball -- Pitcher -- Shoulder -- Elbow -- Adolescent -- Injury; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature surrounding risk factors associated with shoulder and elbow injuries among adolescent baseball pitchers. Methods: Relevant studies were assessed for inclusion and retained from PubMed, EMBASE, SportDiscus, and CINAHL databases. Data was extracted from the retained studies and underwent methodological quality assessment and meta-analysis. Results: The search resulted in 1238 studies identified with 10 ultimately retained for systematic review. Five studies including one case-control, two prospective cohort, and two cross-sectional studies met inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. This meta-analysis revealed that playing with arm fatigue was a significant risk factor (pooled odds ratio = 13.32, 95% confidence interval: 3.22–55.09). The other three risk factors (long competitive season, pitching for more than one team or league, and playing catcher as a secondary position) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pitching with arm fatigue is a significant risk factor for shoulder and elbow injuries among adolescent baseball pitchers. Future efforts in assessment and mitigation of pitching with arm fatigue among this population may help to reduce the risk of arm injuries. Furthermore, investigations of additional risk factors in a more homogeneous population of adolescent pitchers may be warranted. Highlights: Pitching with arm fatigue is associated with upper limb injuries. Current guidelines may not be adequate enough to prevent upper limb injuries.