Update on my daughter's pitching injury...

[acers16green]

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!

 

[Ken B]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

 

[acers16green]

So for those who have experience with this, what recovery timeframes have you heard/experienced? My question is not to imply I want to rush her back ( no pun intended ) but the recovery plan is being articulated by the Doc who didn't think we needed an X-ray when we first saw him 2 months ago. Clearly in retrospect, this was unfortunate advice...want to make sure I don't get any more unfortunate advice.

 

[starsnuffer]

Once you get the results, take them to a dedicated sports medicine doctor for a second opinion. They will have much better information on recovery then a GP would.

-W

 

[Ken B]

Not sure if this helps:
Stress fractures in athletes

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Was she put in a back brace?

 

[Carly]

I second seeing a dedicated sports medicine doctor. Having used both a regular doc and a sports medicine specialist in my past, I know there's really no comparison when you're dealing with a sports injury. Even if your current doc is a specialist, it's best to work with someone who understands what a pitcher has to go through.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

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.

 

[ThatDad]

I thought I would share my experience. My daughter is built much like yours and began having severe pain in her lower back her freshman year. Her mother thought her chiroprator would be better than the Dr and sports medicine clinic. But after a few weeks of being told she was just out of place and needed multiple visits per week from said chriopractor. Indefinately I guess. I finally put my foot down, we went to the spine clinic to get X- rays and a real diagnosis. Her spine was in perfect alignmant and probably always had been. I did find out something interesting though. My DD was one of about 10% of people that have an extra vertabre. Her injury was determined to be overuse, the extra vertabre had nothing to with it but Doc did say it's just one more moving part to get out of wack. We tried rehab and core work and finally even a cortisone shot into her spine. It was the middle of summer and we too felt the pressure to keep playing. Worst thing I ever did! Her back never got better and she missed the opurtunity to try out for a Gold team due to her back pain still preventing her from throwing well. Having missed that oportunity I shut her down completely no throwing no core work nothing! She was freaked not being able to try out for a team and we went into the winter without her being on a club team for the first time since she was 9. But I dont believe she was ever gonna get better from rehab, contrary to what we kept being told. After three months of complete rest I took her to Golds gym and they customised a core work out for her based on her sport. It has been two years now and she has not had lower back problems. (knock on wood). My advice especialy this time of year would be to go get the pictures of her spine, to rule out any actual physical damage then force her to stop and rest at least a couple months I think 3 is kinda a magic number, and I mean complete rest, no riding a bike, arm work, nothing......
Then hit the core, though she looks like she is already slimmer than my DD when she was having problems. DD lost about 15 lbs. and I know that was part of her problem.
Good luck, its scary I know.

I can't stress enough, REAL down time. We thought (were told) the physical therapy would help, but I dont believe it did. These young ladies are being pushed harder than ever. My DD didnt get better untill she basicaly went couch potato for a couple months to let the injury truly heal. Three months later she learned what real core work is all about.
Good Luck.

 

[Perfect Circle]

Have her eat lots of fruits and veggies now after these test for a year. Take Kelp & Calcium supplements, & keep microwaved food to a very minimum for 2 years!!! Don't get yourself in a position to need anymore test for at least 3 yrs.