Triceps injury in non-bowling arm in cricket: an unusual mechanism

Abstract

Cricket is a non-contact sport that is popular worldwide and consists of repetitive throwing, bowling and fielding. Fast bowlers are prone to injury to the bowling arm due to repetitive stress, but this case study focuses on the damage caused to the bowler’s non-bowling arm. This individual was a right-handed fast bowler who developed pain and dysfunction in his left arm after competing in more than 20 cricket tournaments. Following the stipulated bowling spell, he had severe pain in the posterior aspect of his left arm. On the field, he was managed with ice compression. Ecchymosis was seen on the distal part of his posteromedial arm. Diagnostic ultrasound revealed an acute triceps injury. The pain lasted 2 weeks and was gradually relieved with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. This observation led to the recommendation that elbow flexion of the non-bowling arm be checked for and avoided.