Abstract
We report the treatment of little leaguer's shoulder (LLS), which is a condition of the throwing shoulder resulting from over-use. From September 2009, 8 patients with LLS (7 to 14 years old) were investigated with regard to details of the initial physical examination, physical therapy and the question to the physical therapist (PT) and athletic trainer. Heel-buttock distance, straight leg raising angle, hip internal rotation angle, and Hara's test (a combined abduction test, horizontal flexion test, elbow extension test, elbow push test) were investigated. Tightness of the hamstrings, reduced range of motion at the hip and gleno-humeral joint, and weakness of the muscle at the shoulder and trunk were observed. At the end of treatment, in almost all cases, tightness, range of joint motion and muscle power were all improved. Physical therapy was initially focused on the lower leg, hip joint and trunk. Treatment of LLS involved a ban on throwing, and stretching of the shoulder, trunk, and lower extremity.
