I helped to moderate a STOP Sports Injuries tweetchat February 13, 2013. We discussed baseball and softball injuries and welcomed healthcare professionals, parents, and coaches from all over the country. The post below is a summary of that discussion. Thanks to the Tommy John Pitching Academy for participating as well!
For those of you unfamiliar with tweetchats, people answer questions posed by the moderator and comment on other tweets using the hashtag specified – in this case #SportsSafety. It often starts slowly, but it can become difficult to follow when many people get involved and respond to many different questions and comments. If you enjoy fast-paced discussions about important sports medicine topics, join us for future STOP Sports Injuries tweetchats. The next STOP Sports Injuries tweet chat will take place on Wednesday, March 13 at 9 PM ET. Remember the hashtag #SportsSafety to follow and join!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Joining us again tonight is @DrDavidGeier from @MUSChealth-he also worked with the St. Louis @Cardinals during his Fellowship! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @MUSChealth Glad to be here! Love these chats and all the great ideas! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Get settled in for the hour & we will start with Q1: What kinds of injuries are most common in baseball and softball players? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A1: I’m already starting to see quite a few shoulder issues in my softball players.. they only started a few weeks ago.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A1: Shoulder/elbow injuries, esp. overuse, common in baseball/softball. Most preventable, treatable w/o surgery if found early #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
A special welcome to @TJPA25 as well – representing Tommy John’s Pitching Academy. Thanks for joining! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety A1 Shoulder issues are definitely a big one – it’s an unnatural/uneven motion, so it causes lots of stress. #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety arm injuries due to lack of approach #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s I’ve had some elbow issues right as baseball practice has been starting too, Mike. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @ENERGYbits A1 Shoulder issues are definitely a big one – it’s an unnatural/uneven motion, so it causes lots of stress. #sportssafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
Seems to me most baseball/softball injuries are overuse and much less acute, traumatic things.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @TJPA25 Wow! That’s great! Thanks for joining us! #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety Q1. #SportsSafety I’ve had only one elbow inflammation so far. Just instructed to stretch! And focus on forearm/wrist strength
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @TJPA25 @SportsSafety arm injuries due to lack of approach #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @SportsSafety Great point! Pitching is a stressful motion anyway, making proper mechanics critical #SportsSafety
Dr. Ray Solano @DrRaySolano
@SportsSafety Wrist/Hand injuries and Elbow tendinitis are commonly seen. #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety too much focus on velocity not enough on execution #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety pitching also is repetitive microtrauma. which leads to macro #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@DrRaySolano @SportsSafety Ray, what kinds of wrist and hand injuries have you been seeing? Definitely makes sense #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Proper nutrition and foods to help with recovery are key – especially with motions like pitching #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @DrRaySolano Wrist/Hand injuries and Elbow tendinitis are commonly seen. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
So true. Too much focus on radar gun; not enough on technique RT @TJPA25 too much focus on velocity not enough on execution #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @TJPA25 Probably lack of cross-training as well, lots of specialization out there #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @PT_ATC_CSCS a1 Ankle sprains and quad/hamstring/groin strains. Inadequate hydration affects the whole team.
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC @SportsSafety Casey, do you have your players on an exercise program to prevent these injuries? #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm Cross training is key – great way to hit a wide variety of muscles #sportssafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
#SportsSafety anybody else use rice bucket as tool to strengthen wrist/forearm? Is it still used in the big league ATR?
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
There is too much specialization and I think baseball/softball are major culprits. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@caseypaulkATC we still have one in our PT clinic. I may need to invest in one for the ATR #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
Any suggestions on medial epicondylitis on a 3/4 pitcher? Tried most everything. He also has no insurance and pre-existing #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@DrDavidGeier @sportssafety #SportsSafety my coach does a really good job with proactive exercises. Plus. His wife is a PT!
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SchraderKirsten have you tried ice massage? #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s True, Mike. Baseball not only offender, but it’s most common sport for year-round overuse issues, in my experience #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@caseypaulkATC best exercise hands down for all ages #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC @SportsSafety That’s great that you and your coach are working together to prevent injuries. So important! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@SchraderKirsten IASTM? ice massage? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Good stuff for Q1. Arm, shoulder, wrist injuries seem to be a common theme. Let’s move to discussing prevention. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Q2: How can young athletes prevent these kinds of injuries? How can they prep before spring for a safe and healthy season? #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s too many foxes in the hen house when it comes to instruction #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A2: Progressive throwing programs. Not just going out and starting right off the bat #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
A2: Coaching, it all comes down to learning the right techniques, and making them habitual early on. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A2: Don’t throw too much! Stop pitching too many innings per year, too many pitches per game/week. And don’t throw year round #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q2 be smart and save bullets stop focusing on max effort focus on comfort zone pitching #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
#SportsSafety RT Q2 – outside the box thinking here, but focus on play for fun, natural cross-training & non-sport specific activities
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
@mnhopper1s #SportsSafety We have done it. Voltaren gel sample, nsaids, mechanics, kinesiotape, wrist support and strengthening. I give up.
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety #THROWINGPROGRAM!!!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
#SportsSafety MT @sarahdlm outside the box thinking here, but focus on play for fun, natural cross-training & non-sport specific activities
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@caseypaulkATC @ENERGYbits Using non-throwing arm also would be even better! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SchraderKirsten MRI? #sportssafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s Yep. Better to ease into something and warm your body up over a couple of weeks time. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm Love that! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm @caseypaulkATC Yup, great idea! Hey, maybe it’ll lead to being able to switch hit 😉 #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@ENERGYbits @caseypaulkATC Can’t hurt to try! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @mnhopper1s You have to work into throwing shape. Can’t just start cold, throwing like it’s medseason #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
I have 1 softball girl.. has medial and lateral epicondilytis in her throwing arm.. Never seen that before.. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
How ’bout that for a hash tag for ball players to get behind!? RT @caseypaulkATC #SportsSafety #THROWINGPROGRAM!!!
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s Is she rotating at her release point? Hitting the hip? #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@TJPA25 You mean coaches, parents giving too much conflicting advice? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I don’t know. Haven’t actually seen her throw; she is a PT patient of ours currently. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s That’s asking for trouble for sure! #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @caseypaulkATC @mnhopper1s Add that to Mike’s #AT4ALL .. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@caseypaulkATC @sarahdlm @ArchieBradley7 That’s pretty cool! Must help with morale too! #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@DrDavidGeier all the above #teachingforwrongreason #uneducatedbaseballparents #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 @mnhopper1s Glad to have you, Gino! Hope practices went well. You’re out in California, right? #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q2 – another strategyis to work repetitive motions in the opposite direction – eg pitching would = reverse chop #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Thanks for the great Q2 responses! Let’s move to some more injury prevention topics while we’re at it. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm work antagonistic muscle groups #sportssafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@sarahdlm Yep – I try to focus on this in the weight room too. #PushPull #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
Yep. RT @ENERGYbits: @sarahdlm work antagonistic muscle groups #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Q3: How can coaches and parents help young baseball and softball players avoid injuries before and during the season? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SchraderKirsten @mnhopper1s Missed earlier. Hard to say w/o seeing, but I worry there’s more to diagnosis if no improvement #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q3 – Education can help, right delivery of message is key #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A3: Allow the player to listen to their bodies! Too often coaches/parents push these kids too much which creates injury. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @sarahdlm @SportsSafety Q3 – Education can help, right delivery of message is key #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
A3: During season, don’t let or push kids to pitch through pain #SportsSafety
Dan Newman ATC @danoATC
@danoATC @sportssafety @danoATC: @SportsSafety spondys #overuse #notflexible #sportssafety didn’t read instructions
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
A3: as a coach, dont let your players talk you out of coming out of the game (Pedro Martinez!!!) #sportssafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q3 parents need to enjoy and encourage good play not teach them what they are doing wrong #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@SportsSafety #SportsSafety I think they need to remember the ATH are KIDS. Teach them to communicate how they’re feeling>living vicariously
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
I am actually not a proponent of set pitch counts.. BUT pitching in moderation is important. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm So true. Explaining injuries, prevention to parents, coaches, players is key. Have to get buy in, which can be hard #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s #SportsSafety No insurance. I am also beginning to think that it may be easier to be injured than a bad pitcher.
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Well said. RT @TJPA25 @SportsSafety Q3 parents need to enjoy and encourage good play not teach them what they are doing wrong #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety A3 Parents can feed their children foods with omega-3 & antioxidants which helps reduce inflammation! #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
RT@sarahdlm Yes, but lots of research currently going on to address those barriers, will hopefully find new norm #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SchraderKirsten Not sure if it’s true here, but I have several kids I’m seeing where I think they just don’t want to play #SportsSafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety agreed. Youth athletes will learn to listen to their bodies to prevent injury…set good boundaries. #Sportssafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
@ENERGYbits @sportssafety #SportsSafety and not eat 10 ibuprofen like candy. And think that cures it all.
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety pitch to contact>strikeouts #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@caseypaulkATC Yes! Communication is huge. And parents must look for signs something is wrong-not eating, moody, etc #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier My boss told me he thinks 1 of my bsb players is in that position… not really wanting to play.. seeing him x2 #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s Im in Colorado. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@caseypaulkATC Exactly. You can get that anti-inflammatory benefit directly from mother nature – and it’s more effective. #sportssafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@SportsSafety a3 Progressive resistance training in post-off-pre seasons. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 That’s right. Sorry. Knew it was out west. Otherwise you’re working too late #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
A2: I think always make my pitchers come in start some shoulder rehab just to get range of motion back I their shoulder #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Good stuff tonight folks! We have one more question for the hour but feel free to keep chiming in on the last three. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier You know how we ATs roll 😉 #SportsSafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
@mnhopper1s I have a baseball player with the same problem #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
Any thoughts on #Graston technique? #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Heard a few comments on pitch count issue. Q4: How should pitch counts be handled w/ young players in game and over a season? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I use GT on a regular basis with my athletes. Get excellent results when combined w stretching and exercises! #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@SportsSafety Q4 -Pitch counts are there for a reason, long term health more important than short term gain #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s I think its going to become the new staple for increasing ROM and promoting capillary release for athletes #sportssafety
Gino Mangino, ATC @G_mangino11
A3: proper technique! in the off season core & balancing training is a big part of baseball/softball & prevention of injuries #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits There are so many different forms of myofascial release, etc and really I utilize a lot of them! #SportsSafety
Kirsten Schrader @SchraderKirsten
Q4 Which type of pitch is the hardest on a young elbow? Maybe limit those… #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q4 with observation and efficiency. If efficient let them go till you see significant fatigue and velocity drop #SportsSafety
Ronald Masone Jr. @RonMasone
A4: if a youth athlete is pitching on multiple teams, pitch counts and frequency should be monitored very closely. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits GT, IASTM, foam rollers, The Stick, lacrosse balls, etc. Just got a new one in yesterday called the Roll Recovery #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@RonMasone that’s just one reason why players shouldn’t be playing on multiple teams.. #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@mnhopper1s big fan of the golf ball for plantar fascia #sportssafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@TJPA25 @SportsSafety That’s great but difficult if pitching unmonitored (i.e. in backyard). Easier/safer to go with count #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @TJPA25 Q4 with observation and efficiency. If efficient let them go till you see significant fatigue and velocity drop #SportsSafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@SportsSafety a4 As a guide for upper limits to pitch. If an athlete is tired, stressed or dehydrated/hungry, then #’s null. #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety I’ve heard quite a few MLB pitchers didn’t pitch until HS.Played other positions, preserved their arms #SportsSafety
jb humphrey @PT_ATC_CSCS
@SportsSafety Pitch count is like a gas tank, best to be in the over half full zone during competition mode. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@ENERGYbits I use clear plastic bottles filled/frozen to get ice massage effect. In fact, instructed girl on that yesterday #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q1: sh. impingement, trigger point referrals, weak/overworked infrasp. and abnormal scapulohumeral rhythm are my biggest ones #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Would you recommend for kids tho? Most prob not going to Major Leagues… #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
About out of time on our baseball and softball #SportsSafety chat. Thanks to all sharing your thoughts as always!
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety Agreed. But pitching for teams every season of the year for 10 years won’t either. #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@SportsSafety Q4 people forget we pitch to compete not to pitch under a magical #. If your pitching well your efficient #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q3: encourage consistent warm-ups, cool-downs, stretching and ice regardless if no pain felt after practices/workouts #SportsSafety
TJPA @TJPA25
@sarahdlm easier isn’t better #educate #SportsSafety
Chris Kromer @ckatc84
“@mnhopper1s: Seems to me most baseball/softball injuries are overuse and much less acute, traumatic things.. #SportsSafety #preach #preach
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Baseball seems to be a popular topic. Any other topics that you want to discuss in future chats? #SportsSafety
Melissa Roth @Melizzard_CAT
Q3: get the athletes into good habits early in career and it will carry on #SportsSafety
Casey Paulk @caseypaulkATC
#SportsSafety. Great video on YouTube. Search Dylan Bundy. The video of him working on a heavy bag. Let me know what you think.
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety Perceptions & barriers to safe sport/injury prevention? Why don’t we do what we know works? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Always looking! MT @DrDavidGeier Baseball seems a popular topic. Any other topics that you want to discuss in future chats? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@G_mangino11 How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? It’s so important #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@sarahdlm @SportsSafety I like that! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
A reminder also: We are back here Wed, March 13th for our next chat at 9 PM ET. As @DrDavidGeier noted topics always welcome! #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
#researchstudywaitingtohappen RT @DrDavidGeier: @G_mangino11 How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@heathblackmon63 @SportsSafety Yes for both, but honestly, I don’t think you can discuss those topics too much #SportsSafety
Sarah J. de la Motte @sarahdlm
@BarnettFrank should join too 🙂 #researchstudywaitingtohappen RT How do you get kids and coaches to understand that & do it? #SportsSafety
JfitGirl @JFitGirl
How did I miss #SportsSafety chat?? Dang
Dylan E @DylanJEngland
Hot chocolate? = Chocolate PB Casien diluted in hot water. #sportssafety < friends don't let friends lift w/o tasty secrets
Jonathan Levitt @JWLevitt
@BSosnoskie That’s what we get for too much #sportssafety & #healthchat-ing!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
@JFitGirl Oops. Hopefully we will see you in March! #SportsSafety
SliderBarUSA @SliderBarUSA
#sportssafety is trending. We’re loving the tweets and the conversation!
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@askdrcorey Love it. Will pass it on to @SportsSafety #SportsSafety
Remember to join us for the #SportsSafety tweetchats! If you are interested, follow me on Twitter and follow STOP Sports Injuries as well!
