By Tom Keppeler, Shoulder1 Staff
Boston Red Sox Pitcher David Cone was told Wednesday to take anti-inflammatory drugs for his troublesome right shoulder. Earlier this week, Cone, 38, left a Spring Training game after one inning, complaining of soreness in the shoulder. He has not yet returned to play.
Dr. Bill Morgan prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs to the pitcher, a recent trade from the New York Yankees. Cone underwent surgery on his right shoulder to debride stray tissue and reduce inflammation, the Associated Press reported. The pitcher says he has experienced similar pain in the shoulder before. "The shoulder is a little less tender today," Morgan said in a statement. "He has good strength (but) still some localized tenderness, suggesting continued inflammation."
Prior to leaving Tuesday's game, Cone, 38, threw 31 pitches, giving up two runs and two hits, including a home run.
Shoulder soreness is common among pitchers; imagine the strain put on a shoulder that consistently throws 90 mile-per-hour fastballs over the course of a 130-game season. Shoulder soreness can be treated in the short term with the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. However, patients who experience continuous aching should see a physician.
To read more about debridement, the surgery that Cone underwent in 1997, click here.
Photo Courtesy of RedSox.com.
