Parents Its the end

[krisnkids]

Dd's orthopedic doctor referred her to an upper extremity specialist at Shriners on Wednesday, I called yesterday to check when the appointment was and they said the 16th. I hemmed and hawed and she said, "well I have an opening tomorrow..." I said, DONE. So we went to see him this morning and they did xrays of both wrists, first time they did that! Definitely a problem with her growth plate. It looks like she may have not only fractured the growth plate but it also shifted a bit. So if you are looking at your hands while typing, the bony protrusion on the outer part of your wrist its normally a little nob. Well her's is a bigger nob, the injured one more than the non-injured one. So we have an MRI scheduled next week to find out the extent of the damage and if she will need surgery.

The gymnastics side is that she is done. The doc said that this injury is common in gymnasts because "we are not made to walk on our hands". I had to laugh at that, tell that to my 13 and 8 yos. The healing is going to take awhile and because of the severity of the injury he does not recommend that she continues as even after it heals she will still be prone to wrist problems. So I had to step up and make the decision that her gym career is done. She's not a very happy camper, but hopefully she will realize that I am looking out for her long term interests.

 

[gwenmom]

So sorry to hear this. Hopefully this means that life just opened another door that will lead your DD on her next big adventure

 

[gymmomtoo]

So sorry to hear such bad news. Hope your daughter can find another sport or activity that she loves as much. And even more--hope that her wrists heal well and don't give her problems later in life.

 

[profmom]

Wow, so sorry to hear this! I'm sure you're in for a tough stretch here. All good thoughts. I also hope she finds something new to inspire her passion.

 

[2G1B]

I'm so sorry. I can only imagine how sad she is. Hopefully she finds a new sport that she loves as much.

 

[bogwoppit]

I totally understand. We went through the same discussion at the Shriners. Some bodies are not made for gymnastics. She will move on, but it is not easy to accept. Crossing my fingers the damage doesn't need surgery.

 

[gym law mom]

So sorry about the news. Of course she'll be sad and it will be hard to accept this for awhile, but I bet she finds other sports she'll enjoy. Keeping fingers crossed that no surgery is needed.

 

[gymgal]

Sorry you got bad news... I hope things work out better than expected.

I just wanted to add that the decision you are making is a very difficult one and you obviously need to do what is best for dds health and future. But you may want to hold off on the decision until you have more information. The MRI often gives a different outlook than the x rays -sometimes better sometimes worse. I would also seek a second opinion after it is healed, if your dd is really dedicated to staying in gymnastics. Many drs are quick to recommend quitting high impact sports like gymnastics after injuries because of their own personal beliefs on the sport. Not at all saying this is what it's happening in your situation but when you are making such a big decision, you want 2-3 professional opinions.

I wish her the best and hope her recovery is quick.

 

[Amusibus]

I agree with gymgal. Doctors can offer you their well-informed, sincere best estimate of someone 's condition and prognosis, but even the best doctor is still only one person. Doctors are human too, they have biases, they are sometimes not entirely right, and a few more tests and opinions would be a good idea, in my opinion. At least that'swhat I'd do if it were my kid. Even if you like and trust the doctor.

 

[LizzieLac]

Sorry to hear that. But I agree with the others - it may be worth seeing another orthopedic. Some have a specialty in sports and/or rehabilitation. Good luck!

 

[thefellowsmom]

Just I'm so sorry. I will be sending you both positive thoughts and healing fairies. Keep us posted.

 

[EastCoastGymMom]

I'm sorry this injury is forcing you to make a decision between your daughter's health and her love of gymnastics. Sending you lots of strength to get through this confusing time. We all know there is life after gymnastics, and I'm sure she will find another sport or activity that she loves!

 

[emorymom]

Got a diving team nearby? That's the fifth apparatus that doesn't really tax the wrists ...

 

[2G1B]

Good point about the second opinion. My older DD hurt her back at practice in the fall. We went to the first orthopedist - a pediatric ortho who specialized in sports related back injuries - and he said DD could continue conditioning; but needed to avoid anything that hurt or hyperextended her back. A week later she was still having some pain and he suggested we see a different doctor in the practice. That doctor acted horrified that the first doctor had OKed her conditioning and said that she was one of the rare kids he saw who needed to basically spend time "as a couch potato". So 2 doctors in the same practice with 2 very different opinions. (in the end she did avoid all activity for 2 or 3 weeks and then eased back into things).

 

[iwannacoach]

I had a doctor in my extended family who upon listening to a casual complaint of nagging pain, such as my elbow when I do this, would generally say "So don't do that!".

I don't want to appear as an "over reacher", but there's ortho's and there's sports ortho's, and there's even pediatric ortho's that seem very sports ortho inclined. If you're inclined to get a second opinion try looking for the right doc who'll understand their moral obligation to protect their patient with spot on advice and the latest surgical techniques.

 

[profmom]

One of our former L10s who had to quit gymnastics last year because of a wrist injury just won the state high school indoor track meet in pole vault. I remember his last few days, especially the day he came to pick up his grips. It is hard to see the path through the forest when it's dark and the trees crowd in. May there be sunlight for your girl at the end, wherever this path takes her.

 

[SignHere]

Good luck to your DD. my older DD is battling wrist pain. One dr scratched his head even after the MRI. The second DR said it was a stress fracture and casted it for 3 weeks. It's still bothering her. At this point, as much as she loves gymnastics and i love watching her do it, if she found another sport that she loved, I'd be ok with it. I don't like seeing my baby in pain.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

bummer.

 

[krisnkids]

Thank you for everyone's replies. She is being seen by Shriners orthopedic doctors, who are some of the top pediatric people in the country. Somehow we are lucky enough to live next to the Shriners orthopedic specialty hospital. I hope that they are wrong but the doc she saw yesterday was the third doc, the second pediatric specialist. The cool thing about Shriners is that when a doc makes a dx a board then reviews it.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using ChalkBucket mobile app

 

[my4buffaloes]

I'm sorry this road has ended. But the great thing about gymnastics is that it seems to be a natural lead in to many other sports. Hopefully she can find something else she loves.