Update on my daughter's pitching injury...

[Perfect Circle]

Agree with Star. When you get the MRI CD from the imaging place, go home and make a few copies. Some of the best Spinal Institutes will do a evaluation by a nerosurgeon for $25-50 ( mail to them ) to make sure no underlying causes and check for things that could lead to future neurological problems.

I had bad back problems last year, a GP and 2 ortho docs later I went to a Nero, he looked at my MRI and poked my trouble spot with the end of his pen.....dead on. That's after the other docs rubbed me all over my back trying to find the spot and couldn't localize it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Great looking out... don't want them redone for quite some time !

 

[FrozenRope]

I agree with the 100% shutdown. This is one of those times you err on the side of caution. Anything more strenuous than wallking up a flight of steps should be avoided. Think about it.... we're talking about a fracture in a bone thats milimeters from your spinal chord, that if damaged can result in permanant paralysis. Before you picture her missiing out on an opportunity to play on an elite softball team this summer, picture her in a wheelchair, and decide which is more devastating.

 

[MandM]

I agree with FR about the discontinuation of all activity til she is healed. my thought would be that she is best off seeing a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, most of these peds surgeons have sports specialists within their groups and are more likely to have experience managing this sort of injury in an athlete- which is what she needs. Someone who is knowledgeable enough to balance her strong desire to play vs. the small but very real potential risk. If they don't have experience, find someone who does, maybe an adult spine specialist. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your daughter!

 

[halskinner]

Stress Fracture ( Spondylolysis ).

Going for a MRI to see more detail soon.

Timing of this could be a lot worse is the bright side. Dr. is talking about 3 months no pitching, possibly no softball based on results of the MRI.

Thank you all for helping me out with this. Wished we knew to get an XRAY/MRI 2 months ago!!!!!!! Argh!

I am so sorry to hear that my worst case scenario was the case. She may likely return to softbal but dont expect her t o return to pitching.

So every one understands; A spinal stress fracture is a point in a vertebrae where the bone has been stressed to the point it is about to break. A very weak spot in the bone density, as I understand the injury as it was explained to me. I hope I have explained that correctly. IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO TRIFFLE WITH AS IT CAN GET TO THE POINT OF BEING EXTREMELY SERIOUS.

 

[splinterpicker]

Praying for a speedy recovery. Dedicated athletes are a special breed. I am sure she will be in the circle in no time. Good Luck

 

[liviking]

I was diagnosed with the same thing back in 1985 . mine was a grade 1 , I believe there were 4 grades of it . I never went for any treatment and it was found when I was going on the Police department . It did delay me from getting on . At the time I was told that this is a very common fracture in athletics . I played football in HS and college and threw weights in track for 6 years . I remember lifting very heavy my last two years in college , I believe that when I injured it . Today , it dose not bother me at all , I am 50 years old . Everyone is different , my advice ,which many already have said , MRI and a sports orthopedic who specializes in spine injuries . Knowing the grade would also be a indicator on the severity of the fracture . The only symptom I had was a dull nagging pain in my lower back . They were shocked that I was able to do a full spit at my exam , that is suppose to be one of the side effects ,a tight back and hamstring . GOOD LUCK ! Feel free to contact me ,if I can help at all ,Danny

 

[halskinner]

Danny,

thanks for that. I have only run into a couple former pitchers that were diagnosed with it. They didnt mention anything about grades of severity but I had learned it could be from an annoyance to really bad. Glad to hear there CAN be a cloud with a silver lining here, I was beginning to wonder.

 

[coach james]

I think we are ALL in agreement that a sports medicine specialist should be involved. Good luck and I wish her a speedy recovery. James

 

[drc9805]

I wish your family the best! I pray she is able to return to the mound if she chooses to.

 

[tmolina]

My DD went thru this. The first time she went to the Dr it was mis-diagnosed as an oblique strain got 8 weeks off, then came back and it started hurting again. I took her to a sports doctor who properly diagnosed her. She couldn't do any sports activities for 4 months, then she started rehab and did rehab for 6 months. Her Sports medicine Dr didn't put her in a brace at all. She was back pitching in 6 months from proper diagnosis. She was throwing alot harder too. Has never had a problem since. It has been a year now since she has been back in the circle.