Send us a text

A 10-year-old pitcher experiences two elbow fractures within months despite completing "traditional" physical therapy. What went wrong? In this eye-opening case study, Dr. Clay Hammons reveals the startling findings from a comprehensive evaluation that the standard medical approach completely missed.

When this young athlete walked into the clinic, he demonstrated severe limitations that made him fundamentally "not fit to throw a baseball" – 75% restriction in spine mobility, zero degrees of ankle dorsiflexion (should be 10-15°), scapular dysfunction, and an inability to perform a basic squat. Most shocking? These problems were completely overlooked during his previous rehabilitation.

The conversation unveils a revolutionary approach to treating baseball injuries by addressing the entire kinetic chain rather than focusing on the painful area. Within just two weeks of targeted interventions addressing his spine, ankles, and movement patterns, this young pitcher showed remarkable improvements without a single exercise directed at his elbow.

Dr. McGovern and Dr. Hammons discuss how the "cult of velocity" in modern baseball has abandoned proper mechanics for arm-dominant slinging, leading to the paradox of pitchers throwing fewer innings than ever while suffering more catastrophic injuries. They challenge the common misconception that pitching injuries are inevitable, emphasizing that proper assessment can identify and correct risk factors before they lead to injury.

Perhaps the most powerful insight comes from a simple question posed to the young athlete: "Is your arm the engine or the caboose when throwing a baseball?" His incorrect answer – like most youth pitchers – reveals a fundamental misunderstanding that puts countless young arms at risk.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or healthcare provider working with throwing athletes, this episode will forever change how you think about baseball injuries and prevention. The arm doesn't have to be sacrificed on the altar of performance – with the right approach, safety and effectiveness can coexist.

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.