My name is Michael Shucoski. I’m 12 years old and am starting the 7th grade. I really love baseball and my favorite positions are pitcher and first base. This past spring, I developed a sharp pain in my elbow that would not go away. It was very irritating, and I couldn’t even throw the ball without pain.
My mom took me to Nemours Children’s Health, Deptford for treatment, where I met Dr. William Emanuele (Dr. Bill), a sports medicine specialist. After he performed tests and took x-rays, my diagnosis was medial elbow apophysitis, otherwise known as “little league elbow.”
It’s an inflammation of the growth plate that occurs in young baseball players from the constant throwing motion. It’s fairly common in pitchers like myself. The treatment was a rehab program consisting of targeted strengthening and stretches as well as six weeks of rest, which meant no throwing, but for me, it felt like six years!
I was not able to pitch or throw for several games at the beginning of my spring travel ball season. Finally, after six weeks and following a rehabilitation plan, I was able to throw and pitch again. Other than being asked to throw the first pitch at the Phillies game with Dr. Emanuele, the highlight of my season was pitching on the beach at a tournament in Wildwood, NJ.
I no longer feel any pain in my elbow and have been able to play in tournaments such as Diamond Nation and Sports Force in Sandusky, Ohio. I also hope to play in Tennessee this year. I am grateful to Dr. Emanuele at Nemours for fixing my injury and helping me to get back on the mound.
