Should injury force a change in throwing mechanics?

[Jon Williams]

Another question for Chris.....Reading the interesting Arm Angles article got me thinking about my own situation. I went in shortly before Thanksgiving for the standard 'decompression' surgery (bone spurs, bursitis, tendonitis) and unfortunately the surgeon found a 50% tear of my rotator cuff tendon and some minor damage to the labrum.

Being a dad, I don't have to be a pitcher, but I do want to throw BP for a few more years. I'm wondering if a lower elbow position might be in order to put less pressure on the rotator cuff. Perhaps I should try to keep the elbow basically the same height as the shoulder and avoid a high elbow position.

Would a slightly lower arm angle or elbow position help keep the rotator cuff healthy? Or is it a matter of full rehab and throwing program then the arm angle doesn't really matter after that point?

Thanks.
Jon

[Jon Williams]

LOL. This is why God made L-screens. I can get up there 30 feet away and just flip 'em in there.

[Chris Hook]

In your case it might help to be more of a lower arm angle with a flip of wrist type of throw, I have seen many of coach do that for the same reasons.

It basically comes to "any how, any way" with your arm, with no future on the mound and only pain to worry about whatever comes pain-free I would try. Sorry about the "no future" comment :)