Trends that Contribute to UCL Injuries in Youth Pitchers [5]
- 45% of youth pitchers pitched in a league with no pitch counts
- 30% pitched on multiple teams for more than one consecutive season
- 19% pitched in multiple games on the same day
- Youth pitchers who throw sliders or curveballs are 86% more likely to experience elbow pain
- 20-30% of 8-12 year old baseball players experience elbow pain and the number increases to 45% for 13-14 year olds [2]
Tommy John Surgery Stats
- Approximately 25% of Major League Baseball pitchers have had Tommy John surgery [6]
- 20% of pitchers never return to previous levels of performance [6]
- 51% of high school athletes incorrectly believe that Tommy John surgery should be performed to enhance performance [5]
- Of the pitchers who had Tommy John surgery, 19% will have another elbow surgery in the future [5]
- Over 30% of Tommy John surgeries are being performed on youth and high school pitchers
Cover photo link: https://andrewsacksperformance.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/molina-throw.jpg
[2] Gregory, B., & Nyland, J. (2013). Medial elbow injury in young throwing athletes. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 3(2), 91.
[5] http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart/
[6] http://grantland.com/the-triangle/tommy-john-epidemic-elbow-surgery-glenn-fleisig-yu-darvish/
[2] Gregory, B., & Nyland, J. (2013). Medial elbow injury in young throwing athletes. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 3(2), 91.
[5] http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart/
[6] http://grantland.com/the-triangle/tommy-john-epidemic-elbow-surgery-glenn-fleisig-yu-darvish/