Parents Stress fracture in vertebrae - any experience with this?

[Lilbert]

My L8 dd was having some back pain when arching and tumblimg. It has gotten progressively worse over the last two weeks, but it doesnt't bother her when she's not in the gym unless she arches back for some reason. We saw the orthopedist today. They took xrays and they did not show any issues. She is scheduled for an MRI on Monday to rule out stress fracture because sometimes
it can't be seen on an xray. We are keeping our fingers crossed that there is no fracture. For those of you who have dealt with this, how long was recovery time? My daughter is having a great season, and it would stink to not really be up to snuff for states (early April). Of course her health is #1.

 

[skschlag]

My ds has been having the ame issues. Xrays and MRI ruled out a stress fracture, thank goodness, but he still hurts. If it is a fracture, she will be out for months. We figured he would be out completely for 6 weeks, then back very slowly to exercise and pT and then slowly back to gym. One girl at our gym was out months with an L5 stress fracture.

 

[Lisbeth]

My 8 yo DD (at the time) had bilateral L5 stress fractures. X-ray did not show the fractures, but MRI did show swelling where fractures would be. She was having pain in her lower back only at the gym. She did not have pain with normal daily activity. Diagnosed in November 2013, absolute rest - started PT in January 2014 and competed 3 events (no floor) at a meet the beginning of February 2014.

 

[bookworm]

My daughter had a T5 stress fracture...that only showed up on a bone scan, everything else was negative in terms of scans and x-rays but her exam always was positive in to exactly where it hurt. She was in a hard back brace 24/7 ( except to shower)and no gym for 12 weeks....she came back at the end of the season and was petitioned into Regionals ( did well) , went onto JOs and did very well there too....

My caveat in all this is because she rested it the 12 weeks and allowed it to heal, she has never ( knock on wood) had another back issue...and this was 8 years ago.

 

[gymmutti]

My DD is dealt with this now. Nothing on x-Ray but MRI showed stress reaction (essentially right before a fracture). Dr has told her that she'll be out 3 months. She is wearing a brace now (dr debated on this but since she wanted to go to gym - it keeps her from arching. She wears for 23hrs/day and will have on for at least 8 weeks). She is out for the season which she hates but she agrees that missing a season is better than messing it up forever.
Once she hits the 8 week mark of basically doing nothing- she will do heavy PT and slowly add in gymnastics.

 

[exgymnastmomx3]

My dd was a 9 year old lv. 5 when she first started showing issues with her back. Took her to a back "specialist" who was supposed to be familiar with gymnasts. All they did was an x-ray, which showed nothing. Told her to just avoid skills with pain. A year later, at lv. 7 dd collapsed in pain and could barely stand at that point. She had 3 stress fractures-shown in bone scan. She was out for a full 4 months-didn't even step in the gym. She went to pt twice a week and did pt exercises at home. We followed every rule they told us since they really weren't sure she would ever do gymnastics again. After 4 months she was cleared to go back in the gym slowly. That injury taught her to stop being so archy and tightened up her lines and to listen to her body. She went onto become a great level 10 and never had another back problem again. Don't take any shortcuts with injuries!! I saw many people do it and they paid the price the rest of their careers!

 

[skschlag]

My daughter had a T5 stress fracture...that only showed up on a bone scan, everything else was negative in terms of scans and x-rays but her exam always was positive in to exactly where it hurt. She was in a hard back brace 24/7 ( except to shower)and no gym for 12 weeks....she came back at the end of the season and was petitioned into Regionals ( did well) , went onto JOs and did very well there too....

My caveat in all this is because she rested it the 12 weeks and allowed it to heal, she has never ( knock on wood) had another back issue...and this was 8 years ago.

This scares me a bit, since D's Xray/MRI were clear. We saw another doctor this week that does not think it is a pars fracture, but I still worry. He is just doing pommel this season. I am trying to trust the tests/professionals (he has seen 1 MD, 2 orthos, and a DO, and had a radiologist look at his scans.) But it is difficult

 

[flowerchild]

Definitely need to do pt even if scans are clear. My DD had back pain, MRI and bone scan were clear, but she limited hyper extension of her back for 4 months and did PT. ( this was while doing BWO-BWO series on beam for level 7). After 4 months of PT, she was much stronger in her core, and back pain has not recurred.

 

[shelovestoflip]

My daughter had a T5 stress fracture...that only showed up on a bone scan, everything else was negative in terms of scans and x-rays but her exam always was positive in to exactly where it hurt. She was in a hard back brace 24/7 ( except to shower)and no gym for 12 weeks....she came back at the end of the season and was petitioned into Regionals ( did well) , went onto JOs and did very well there too....

My caveat in all this is because she rested it the 12 weeks and allowed it to heal, she has never ( knock on wood) had another back issue...and this was 8 years ago.

This is similar to my daughter. She had an L5 fracture and wore a hard brace for 12 weeks. Rest and only PT/conditioning in brace. She followed ortho's orders and has been pain free for 6 years.

 

[Ingwe]

My daughter had a fracture in the L4 ( traumatic injury) this was exactly 2 years ago. She was in a brace for 3 months. She was only allowed to walk during that time. She didn't step foot into the gym.

She followed the Dr's orders to a tee and she has been completely pain free.

I have seen a lot girls go to gym and "just condition or work bars" and every last one of them still deals with some amount of back pain.

I am a total supporter of the complete rest theory when it comes to these injuries.

 

[Lilbert]

Update..... MRI is clear. Orthopedist says inflamation due to overuse. Took 10 days off..did nothing including school PE. Starting PT 3x week for 4 weeks. Anti inflammatories to continue. Can go back to gymnastics, but limited hyperextension. Just hoping nothing gets aggravated further. Hope she can finish season strong.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

tell your daughter that pain MUST be her guide. and too open her mouth to the coaches if it begins to hurt>