Injury Question Help

[18'sdad]

My dd has a appointment with her orthopedist in the morning, but I would like to have an idea of what may be wrong.

She was pitching in Plano 2 weeks ago. She said she had some mionor knee pain (sides of knee)
but she wanted to work through it. In the 2nd inning she planted and her knee gave out during a pitch. She got up and finished the inning. Coach asked if she was okay and her response was yes (naturally). 2 innings later same knee gave out again. Both times the knee gave out she was throwing screw ball if it matters.

There is no swelling, but she is complaing of pain when she tries to walk or run.

Anyone have any ideas or have seen this before?

Thanks.

[SnocatzDad]

When she plants what angle is the plant foot relative to the pitching rubber? If it's close to parrallel to the pitching rubber on plant then she is putting tremendous force on her knee in a direction that it has almost no strength.

I've been cautioned as a coach at several clinics to try to get the girls to plant closer to a 45 degree angle to get the knee in a direction where it has some support.

Good luck, I hope your daughter comes out fine, but I would caution you to get a lot of information before considering allowing her to pitch again.

[Tucson]

Make certain that your DD shows the doctor her motion for the screw ball.

It has been my experience that the screw ball can really screw up some kids knees, especially if they aren't done growing. You didn't give her age.

Good luck. Been there, done that with a DD.

[hit4power]

One thing to ask about is ITBS (Illiotibial band syndrome). More commonly the pain is in the hip but it can also occur on the sides of the knee. Its a repetitive stress injury and may not have been caused by pitching (my DD got it through running) except that pitching might aggravate it. The fact that your DD's knee gave out makes me think its probably not ITBS, but worth a discussion. There is also something called "jumpers knee" that I don't know a lot about, but is common amongst female jumpers (think volleyball, basketball, high jumpers). Depending on your DD's pitching motion, the force of the plant could be similar to what jumpers do as they plant to take off. My understanding is that the pain is usually in the front of the knee (vs. side) but that having the knee give out (painfully) while planting to jump (or pitch?) is a symptom.

Good Luck - having a hurt kid who wants to play just sucks - been there

[anonlooker]

Another possibility is "chonromalacia". Not uncommon in teenagers regardless the activity. Good article here:

http://www.orthoseek.com/articles/chondromp.html

Good luck!

[HighHeat]

I actually have the same problem with my knees. And yes the diagnosis was Chondromalacia Patela. Essentially its a lack of cartlidge behind the knee cap which allows excessive movement. The knee will lock up because of this cartlidge float and it does feel like it is "giving out." I was told by the Dr. it was related to overuse from catching, football etc. (along with genetics).

[18'sdad]

I should know what is wrong with her in about 1 hour. Thanks for all of the replies. I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

[18'sdad]

My wife just left the DR. with her. She has a strained tendon (don't know wich one yet) and microscopic tears in her MCL. She has to wear a brace and only go about 75% at practice, but she will not miss any significant time.

[Tucson]

That is great news.

What caused it?

[18'sdad]

Dr. said a number of things could have caused it. He said more than likely it was a break down in mechanics. between high school ball and travel she has thrown a whole lot of innings. More than likely fatigue caused a break down somewhere.