Lower back maintenance - A question to you cagey veterans of pitching out there.

MRI data confirmed it.............


Doctors report:
"
there is a spondy (spondylolysis - stress fracture of the 'pars interarticularis') of the low back on the left at the L4 vertebral level. It looks 'acute', which means that it is a new issue. This is good, since it still has the potential for healing.
"

The doctor went on to state:
"
Take vitamin D & calcium. Continue with rest from sports to allow this to heal. During the period of rest, she should be working with a physical therapist on "flexion-based" core strengthening. Once pain has resolved completely, she can begin to resume activities as tolerated with close supervision. I would like to see her again and check on her progress and healing in about 1 month.
"

Doc said that this area will be healed as far as it can in 6-8 weeks. At that time, given DD stays active on a "no-impact" exercise bike and does her core-building that maybe the summer season isn't a total wash. Trust me though, we will NOT rush this.

The road back to the circle FINALLY begins in earnest (still can't believe we initially were physically "adjusting" a broken back in the first doctors incorrect diagnosis.......)

Oh and Hal - we will give the doctor the full representation of the "Abbott-style" that DD used to do as a freshman when we go to his office in a few weeks. I will let ya know what his response is.

Take care.

I see the drs report as good news. Prayers do work!

Wishin you kids the best.

Hal

Update on the continuing saga of a pars fracture & return to action for DD (in the end I am going to pull this whole thread to go into DD's scrapbook)

Tomorrow will be 6 weeks past the last in-game back spasm for DD.

She has been going to PT twice a week each week. First three weeks were effectively no activity beyond the PT muscle-stretching and band-stretching. The last three weeks we got DD a summer health club membership that has a saltwater pool for laps and recumbant bikes and other no-impact low twist activities (this was HUGE for her psychological set). Had the follow-up with the "good" doctor again and he says she is "ahead of schedule" with the range she is showing without any pain. DD & I street-clothes watched her TB team last weekend BUT this weekend DD is going to still do ONLY pregame warm-ups with the team (and no game time this weekend yet and definitely no pitching yet - but she will at least dress with the team). Doctor says DD can ramp her way back into her alternate position at first base and ramp her way VERY carefully back into swinging the bat. We will head back to the doctor for the last time in 4 weeks and then he plans on giving DD the green light to start to throw some pitches.

TB 2013 goal now = pitch one full game in nationals in August. We will see - this assumes no setbacks from here. God willing he will see DD has had enough setbacks for one human being just going after her goal.... DD is living the song "what doesnt kill ya makes ya stronger" right now.

Side note - still don't have a read on DD's verbal offer and if anything has changed on their side with this,.... we pray not....

after looking at her motion I have to say that I do not see anything that she is doing that would cause her back problems. Her mechanics could be better in driving off and he foot drag but her basic motion should not cause back problems.

Update -

DD is CLEARED to make her first pitch since 04May after originally getting injured in March!!!
The good doctor reviewed her yesterday and we are all set to ramp up.

Another piece of goodness is that last Saturday her still "to-be" college coach called her to finally confirm they are going to stand behind DD and maintain her scholarship offer. Whew!! Coach also very nicely said "don't worry about thinking you have to hurry back to tip-top shape for nationals." That is great news too as proper ramp back up from a broken back like this is a gradual increase of pitching load.

Anyways tonight we head over to the old field we played U8 on and we are going to get our allocated first 20 pitches in. That's all.

The plan from the doctor is 20 pitches every other day for the first week and a 25% increase each week thereafter. The hope is that DD might be able to do a "closers" job come nationals.

Wow,.....what a journey.....

That is great. Glad to see the college stand up for your dd.

Thank you for continuing to update her progress and for providing us with information about her condition-

I wish her the very best!! as she returns to pitching and maintains a healthy recovery

Would love to hear from ANYBODY who even hears about any softball pitcher that went through a spondy (spondylolysis - stress fracture of the 'pars interarticularis'.

I keep on reading about the "silent but frequent" occurrence of this pitcher ailment but to date I have only met one dad who's DD had the EXACT same injury who is also a riseball specialist as my DD.

Anyone???

RubberBiscuit, Hope all goes well on the recovery and return for your DD

If you hadn't already visited this website and need more info on Pars Defect, Dr. Pashman has great info eSpine Dr Robert Pashman MD Los Angeles CA Spine Surgeon