Outcome of conservative treatment for Little League shoulder in young baseball players: factors related to incomplete return to baseball and recurrence of pain.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with poor results and pain recurrence in young baseball players with Little League shoulder (LLS). METHODS: Eighty-seven young baseball players with LLS (mean age, 12.1 years) underwent conservative treatment. Of the players, 68 (78%) underwent conservative treatment involving the prohibition of throwing for an average of 1.2 months whereas the remaining 19 (22%) continued throwing with limitations. We analyzed the factors associated with poor results at 2 months and pain recurrence. RESULTS: At 2 months, 18% of participants reported the presence of pain, and the results regarding the return to baseball were as follows: complete return in 43%, incomplete return in 33%, and no return in 24%. A total of 83 subjects (95%) had completely returned at an average of 2.8 months. Pain recurrence was present in 20 subjects (25%) at an average of 6.2 months. Statistical analysis showed that the following factors were significantly associated with poor results at 2 months: longer period from initial presentation to throwing prohibition and worse shoulder flexibility (P = .04 and P = .01, respectively). It also revealed that the following factors were significantly associated with pain recurrence: higher frequency of pain at 2 months and longer duration until complete return (P = .0003 and P = .04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is important for subjects with LLS to be prohibited from throwing immediately after initial presentation. Good shoulder flexibility was associated with a return to baseball without pain. A complete return in subjects who had pain at 2 months was significantly delayed, and these subjects exhibited more rapidly recurring pain after their return.

Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy for Ulnar Abutment Syndrome: The Results of Metaphyseal and Diaphyseal Osteotomies.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the results of metaphyseal and diaphyseal ulnar shortening osteotomies (USO) for the treatment of ulnar abutment syndrome (UAS). Methods: From 2011 to 2016, we performed metaphyseal USO in 8 patients (8 wrists) and diaphyseal USO in 6 patients (7 wrists). The results were investigated in terms of bone union and cast immobilization, wrist and forearm range of motion (ROM). The mean follow-up duration was 29 months. Results: All 14 patients had bone union. The mean duration of bone union in metaphyseal USO and diaphyseal USO were 3.5 months and 4.3 months and the duration of cast immobilization after surgery were 24.2 days and 29.2 days. The mean forearm ROM (degree) were 134.3 (pronation/supination: 66.7/67.6) and 169.3 (pronation/supination: 84.3/85.0) at 3 months after surgery and 173.4 (pronation/supination: 86.0/87.4) and 172.8 (pronation/supination: 87.1/85.7) at 6 months after surgery. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that metaphyseal osteotomies are an effective alternative to diaphyseal osteotomies for the treatment of ulnar abutment syndrome. Although metaphyseal osteotomies were associated with temporary decrease of pronation, this discrepancy resolved at 6 months postoperatively. Metaphyseal USO has the potential to promote primary bone union and appears to be an alternative treatment for UAS.