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Dead arm can also be an indication that
a player isn’t strength training properly. All players should be strengthening and stretching not only their arms and shoulders but their entire body. If a player experiences dead arm, they need to treat it then re-assess their workouts/ conditioning.
Untreated Dead Arm Issues
Consider dead arm as an early warning sign. You need to take preventative measures. If not, it can possibly lead to a "buildup of tissue around the posterior capsule called hypertrophy (the increase in the volume of tissue due to the enlargement of its component cells). This can lead to tightness of the posterior capsule called posterior capsular contracture. This type of problem reduces the amount the shoulder can rotate inwardly" (Wikipedia).
Dead arm can also lead to Ligament Laxity – which is loose ligaments.
When not taken care of, dead arm can possibly become a more serious injury like a SLAP tear. SLAP is an acronym for “Superior Labral tear from Anterior to Posterior”. Basically a tear in the Labrum (see diagram).
The labrum is a ring of firm tissue around your shoulder socket. The labrum helps keep your arm bone in the shoulder socket. This type of injury requires surgery.
But if "Dead Arm" is treated early, a player can avoid it from becoming a more serious problem.
What To Do
Dead arm is real problem and it's important for the coaching staff, medical staff and the trainers to make sure there isn't another reason for it beyond just fatigue. Dead arm can be because of improper mechanics, mental (like the “Yips”) or a more serious structure problem (like SLAP tears).
Luckily for most, dead arm is just fatigue/ over use. There are differing suggestions on how to treat Dead Arm. Some MLB pitchers who have experienced it say to pitch through it and some say to rest. Most medical professionals recommend not “pitching through it”.
Initial treatment is rest with progressive stretching and strengthening of the shoulder. Usually three to four days of not throwing at all. Then light band/ tube work for the shoulder. This is done in conjunction with stretching. If it’s just fatigue most players are back throwing within 7 to 10 days with velocity and ball movement restored.