Help with my grandson....baseball medical people...help!

[red-in-la]

Sorry to post this here as it is NOT a Reds deal, but I was not sure where to post it. Moderators, if the right folks will still see it and help me out, please move it.....but I need advice on this BIG TIME!!!

My 8 year old grandson was pitching for his little league team on Saturday and heard something pop in his elbow. They took him out of the game, and there was no immediate swelling, just pain when he moved it.

That afternoon his family doctor said he spained his elbow.

This morning he has swelling on the inside of the elbow and continues in pain.

What should we do?

I know there are folks on here who seem to know about elbows and joints and ligaments and the like. I just want to have some other opinions.

My grandson has been the star of his team since the day he walked on the field last year. He loves to pitch but he is also a very good hitter and good fielder.

Any thought would be helpful as I am at a loss here.

[GAC]

Wow! Really sorry to hear this Fred. Your grandson is in my prayers.

[TeamBoone]

I'd take him to another doctor for a second opinion; preferably someone who specializes in sports medicine.

Did the family doc do anything for him treatment wise? Or is the little guy just suffering with the pain.

[GAC]

Did they do an MRI?

[Larkin Fan]

Really sorry to hear this, red-in-la. You really need to get a second opinion from a pediatric sports medicine specialist. Pediatric sports injuries are often very tricky when it comes to diagnosis and it's best to have an expert investigate it. Family doctors just don't have the knowledge or experience with these type of injuries to give the best care. He really needs an MRI and a complete work-up by a specialist to find out.

Best of luck and definitely let us know what happens.

[Johnny Footstool]

I agree with Larkin Fan and TB - it's time for a pediatric sports specialist.

[KronoRed]

Prayers for the little guy

[919191]

That has to be heartbreaking to see. Hope he is OK.

We changed leagues this year. I have an 8 year old who played kid pitch the last 2 falls and last spring/summer. This year he is in a machine pitch league. I just don't feel comfortable with kids pitching at that age.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Sorry to hear about your grandson, red. I hope that it turns out to be something minor.

I'll be facing the same decisions this fall. My son is in his last year of coach pitch, is lefthanded and throws the baseball very hard. We were almost "shamed" into moving him up to "kid pitch" this spring by the powers that be, but I thought better of it. He played "up" in the fall for several games when teams didn't have enough players and will probably do the same this spring. He really enjoys the competition, but I am very leery about him pitching at such an early age. He can throw strikes with authority right now, and the pressure to let him pitch will be enormous, but right now, my feelings are "no pitching till at least twelve." I will get more opinions in the meantime.

Again, hope everything is allright with your grandson, and that he can continue to play and enjoy himself for years to come.

[Spitball]

Hopefully it is just be a sprain. I believe a "pop" sound could be a number of things, but I doubt an 8 year-old could do too much damage on one pitch.

I wouldn't panic, but I'd also insist that he not pitch again this year.

[red-in-la]

I just talked with my son Spitball and I think you are correct. He talked to the nurse at an orthopedic surgeon's office today and she said at his age, my grandson would be the first ever to tear a ligment pitching.

She said it is probably just a muscle spain.....my son also said that the swelling is greatly reduce today and my grandson is in a lot less pain.

So we are hoping he can just recover in a few weeks. He alsomost certainly won't pitch again this year.....but he would love to play ball again. He plays 1B some when not pitching, so maybe that would be the best way to go.