I've been pitching for about 2 and a half years now, and when I first began training, I noticed that occasionally my hand would swell to be about twice (or more) than the size it should be. I've hit speeds of about 57, but my consistent speed is around 55. I've asked every coach and pitching instructor that I've come across, and no one seems to have a clear answer. Sometimes I can pitch a solid 3-4 innings without a problem, but other times I can barely get passed warm up without my hand swelling. It doesn't hurt or tingle, it just becomes really red and swollen - not allowing me to grip the ball. I've done so much research and can't seem to find any answers. Please help!!
Swollen hand when pitching
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- Feb 26, 2013
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Please stop pitching, talk to your parents, and get to a doctor immediately. If it is outlet thoracic syndrome, it is very serious. Why is your coach letting you pitch with these symptoms?
^ This.
Also read the article the lady wrote about getting hit in the face. She had this syndrome and I don't know why she was pitching with it. It can't be ignored. Google Kenzie Fowler, outlet thoracic syndrome.
Per our rules, we can't give medical advice on here. My advice is go to a doctor, immediately.
Also read the article the lady wrote about getting hit in the face. She had this syndrome and I don't know why she was pitching with it. It can't be ignored. Google Kenzie Fowler, outlet thoracic syndrome.
Per our rules, we can't give medical advice on here. My advice is go to a doctor, immediately.
- Nov 29, 2009
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What you are describing is EXACTLY what one of the girls I've been working with has happening. After seeing several doctors she went to a specialist and was diagnosed with Thoracic Output Syndrome. What happens is the artery from your arm that returns the blood to your heart gets constricted by the muscles in your chest or possibly a rib. The blood pools in your arm and hand causing it to swell. There are tests that can be done to determine if you have the condition. One of the last tests they do is to insert a small camera in the artery to located the constriction and determine how bad it is. The girl I've been working with can do anything else softball-wise and any other regular activities with no problems. Her hand swells only when she pitches.
Kenzie Fowler at Arizona had/has the same condition and had a rib removed to alleviate the condition.
Don't let the regular doctors blow you off. Which is what happened to the girl I've been working with. Get to a Thoracic specialist.
- Nov 3, 2012
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Sounds like you know what you're talking about. Good helpful answer to this question.
TOS is a compression syndrome. One can have arterial, venous, nerve, or a combination of these compressions with TOS.
If this is TOS, it is likely venous and not arterial. A simple non invasive upper arterial physiologic exam with maneuvers will aid diagnosis.
Arterial compression will cause a different set of symptoms due to ischemia.
Venous compression of the sublcavian and axillary complex without sufficient collateral flow would cause a stagnation of return flow to the heart and swelling of the extremity.
If this is TOS, it is likely venous and not arterial. A simple non invasive upper arterial physiologic exam with maneuvers will aid diagnosis.
Arterial compression will cause a different set of symptoms due to ischemia.
Venous compression of the sublcavian and axillary complex without sufficient collateral flow would cause a stagnation of return flow to the heart and swelling of the extremity.
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I have to close this. We have asked the young lady to see an MD and given her "ideas" of what it might be. But, we need to stay away from medical advice.
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