Little League Elbow: Signs, Causes, and Treatment Guide for Parents

Key Takeaways

• Up to 57% of competitive youth baseball players show signs of medial elbow damage — early detection is critical
• Little league elbow is caused by repetitive throwing stress on the growth plate, most common in pitchers ages 8-15
• Warning signs include inner elbow pain during/after throwing, decreased velocity, reduced range of motion, and swelling
• Treatment starts with rest from throwing (4-6 weeks), followed by progressive PT and a structured return-to-throw program
• Prevention is the best treatment — follow age-appropriate pitch counts, enforce rest days, and avoid year-round throwing