Hip strain for a pitcher

[DonnieS]

Young DD has had two hip injuries since high school softball started. She has pitched for 8 years as a machine, no injuries, icing after games and lessons, practices for years of 20-25 minutes 3-4 days a week, depending on games. She has done windmill exercises forever, protecting back, shoulder, etc. The pitching practices that we did were what I had recommended by Hal Skinner and to some extent Ernie Parker, focus on quality of practice rather than quantity. No time limit, if she does her warmup and then is scheduled that day for changups, and she hits 30 straight without a miss, we are done. Same on speed day, movement pitch day, spins, etc.

In high school, the pitching coach, has emphasized 150- 200 pitches a day, she has come home, telling me to ice her, has never fought it, but I dont remember her ever telling me its time to ice. She came home with her hip hurting and afterwards, she laid off, both track and softball to let it rest. She has really not worked hard at track since track started, because of this problem. The left hip got better or good to go, and now her right hip is strained.

Knowing that I probably had a situation of 'you're outta here' coming, I talked to the coach, explained what we have been doing for years, laid out our practice plan, realising that likely we were going to come to a my way or the highway deal and without a doubt we would have taken the highway, it would have been sad for both my dd and myself. But it hasnt gone that way and he agreed to adjust to what works for her. I was very pleased because high school coach discussions dont always include two way listening - this really did. He said that he had always pushed the hard practices because thats the way he did it, but he realised that she is different, and really wants to work with her. He loves her attitude and focus so thats very big.

Has anyone faced hip injuries, one side, then the other, like this.?

[GIMNEPIWO]

Donnie ... I was thinking about this and my own hip problems ... my left hip was caused by a compensation injury from my right hamstring ... I'm wondering if the injury switching sides could be a compensation injury ? ... Is it just sore all the time, or when she does something in particular ...walk, stride, down steps or up ? And as I mentioned to you in the PM, 200 pitches aday is NUTS ... Does she hear any popping sounds ... that sort of feel like theres pop rock candies in her hip ? Short stabbing pains or tooth ache pain ?

[DonnieS]

Donnie ... I was thinking about this and my own hip problems ... my left hip was caused by a compensation injury from my right hamstring ... I'm wondering if the injury switching sides could be a compensation injury ? ... Is it just sore all the time, or when she does something in particular ...walk, stride, down steps or up ? And as I mentioned to you in the PM, 200 pitches aday is NUTS ... Does she hear any popping sounds ... that sort of feel like theres pop rock candies in her hip ? Short stabbing pains or tooth ache pain ?

No popping sounds but then I can barely get the little shit to talk to me. The older wont shut up and the younger doesnt have time to waste talking to dad. Tempted to use my boot to give her another compensating injury.

[GIMNEPIWO]

LMAO !

[Tucson]

As you know, I am trying to play first base (again). Where I hurt is the front of the thigh - from stretching out for a throw and getting up off of the ground.

Anyway, I went to one of those walk-in massage places. The young gal was very good. She determined if I was hurt or injured, because she asked about my pain level. I told her a 3. She worked on it for an hour and checked out other areas, too. She would say "this is tight, here."

Look for sports massage. There are various types of massages.

You say that she comes home to ask for ice. Is there no trainer at the HS? How much time is passing before she ices?

Can she use the pool? Stretching in a 95 degree pool is a life saver for me.

And lastly, read about ice baths. I don't know anything about them, but I guess football has used them forever.

[DonnieS]

I requested that she be iced after each game, but that is her arm and shoulder. I guess I have to ice her. But after practice, I guess is up to us. she has been going into the trainer every day since this latest one.

[Tucson]

Yeah, you don't want them icing her "arse", anyway.

If it was one hip, I would say look at her delivery. But both? What about the surface she is practicing on? Amy

[Cannonball]

Donnie, my dd went through this last year as a freshman on the varsity. It seems that when they are pitching etc. they are pitching in the off season. In HS ball, they are going from task to task and therefore, susceptable to over use injuries. My dd stepped in a hole while running to get ready to pitch. She had a terrible time with it but threw every time she was handed the ball and didn't miss a start in the OF when not pitching. It is very important to ice that injury, use ibuprophen etc. after eating something, ... We have a trainer on staff at our school full time and so, she received electrical stimulation every day at lunch to get her back to playing. Don't count on this going away anytime soon. Don't discount a trip to the Doctor.

[sftball1]

My daughter started having compensating hip pains after an injury to her foot. A sports chiropractor was recommended and it's been one of the best things ever. I would make sure that it's a reputable doctor that focuses on sport chirporactor and therapy, but its worked wonders for us. It will take time to get over though, don't try to rush it.

[DonnieS]

Update !!!

DD was checked and found to apparently be in the midst of a growing spurt. One of her legs is ahead of the other, and is causing an imbalance which is causing pain. She is taking therapy to help with handling this 'transition' . No one will admit it but this is what the 'great and powerful Dad' called it in the beginning - Growing Pains. When will they listen?