A recent study by Christopher L. Camp, MD, of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, identified key predictors of injuries pitchers' suffer.
Here are 5 takeaways:
1. The most significant factors leading to elbow injuries include the presence of shoulder external rotation deficit and shoulder flexion deficit greater than five degrees.
2. Internal rotation deficits did not demonstrate a similar risk for injury during the season.
3. The most common elbow injury among pitchers is an ulnar collateral ligament tear.
4. Increased risk of elbow injury grew:
• 1.09 times for every one degree decrease in shoulder flexion
• 1.07 times for every one degree increase in external rotation deficit
• 2.83 times with a greater than five degree flexion deficit compared to the non-dominate site
5. Throughout 132 pitcher seasons, 53 shoulder and 28 elbow injuries occurred.