Parents PARS/Degenerative Disc Recovery/advice?

[observantmom]

Hi, DD recently found out that she has a PARS fracture (bilateral) with disc degeneration at the same spot. Has anyone else dealt with both of these issues and if so, any advice? Her doctor was very concerned about the disc degeneration due to her young age. We have an appointment with a highly regarded peds ortho/sports specialist this week but just curious if anyone has had a kiddo with a degenerative disc and what the long-term management plan has been? She's a very dedicated gymnast who has no interest in quitting, so we are all committed to finding out a treatment plan that has her long-term goals as the top priority.

 

[Dahlialover]

Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I hope you can convince her to include avoiding life-long chronic pain on her list of long-term goals. A Gymnastics career lasts a few years but back injuries can last a lifetime. Good luck with the specialist.

 

[Kara]

Best advice: listen to the specialist even if they recommend quitting. Your daughter will thank you when she can walk without pain at 30.

 

[gymgal]

What competitive level is she? It really is going to depend on the severity of ddd and what level the fracture is but anticipate several months of healing time.

 

[JBS]

If it's all fairly minor... it is going to take tons work strengthening the core as well as possibly learning to do skills differently or new skill selection. Number or reps will probably have to change as well. If the athlete keeps doing the same things... then the issues will most likely progress.

If it's not minor or if it keeps progressing... then that's it... it will be time for a new activity.

 

[raenndrops]

We had a Level 8 gymnast that had similar back problems.
In 8th grade, she competed Level 8 in 6 out of 9 meets She also competed in middle school track - mainly pole vault.
The next season, she was out of gymnastics with the back injury. She was cleared for pole vault though.
The season after that, she competed in a meet in November. The coaches didn't know that she wasn't cleared to compete. She didn't compete again until June ... and she WAS cleared for that.
Her final season of gymnastics was cut short be another back injury and the pandemic. She competed 3 meets and then was done ... she had plenty of time to heal during shelter in place.
For her final year of high school, she focused on pole vault and went to college on a track scholarship.