Possibility of a torn shoulder or elbow?

Question

I have been playing baseball ever since i could walk, i have been pitching seen the age of 6! Over the past few years ive noticed a wierd popping noise in my shoulder almost everytime i move it around? what is this, and what could be causing this? Then in my throwing elbow there is a really wierd muscle or bone or something that seems to pop (no noise, but you can feel the pop) when i move it as well? Anyone know what im talking about, im currently playing college baseball, but afraid of going to the trainer for they could sit me out for a longgggg while? please help!!!

Answer 1

Sounds like it could be two injuries, both connected to throwing. If the shoulder was painful, you may have adjusted your throwing and as a result injured the elbow or vice versa. Very common in athletics.

You have probably Strained or Sprained the injured areas.

Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.

Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.

RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.

Rest: Rest and protect the injured area.

Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.

Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decreases swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.

Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.

Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the knee.

The stiffness will go away over time.

See:
http://www.coldoneinc.com/elbow_wrap.html and
http://www.coldoineinc.com/shoulderwrap.html

Good Luck

Answer 2

You need to see a doctor, possibly an orthopaedist. Even if the trainer benched you for a period of time, isnt that better than never being able to play again?

Answer 3

Get an MRI done. It is the best way to see inside your body to find something wrong rather than surgery. Of course, it may reveal you need surgery. But you should find out. Who says the coach needs to know?

Answer 4

Go see a doctor

Answer 5

You could have possibly injured your rotator cuff and if you don't seek treatment you will continue to aggravate it, you need to see a doctor.