Parents Reporting injuries to parents..

[Ex member]

I didn't see it, from what dd has said..

She was on the high bar over the pits doing Tap Swings? She went to re grip (or whatever you call it) and missed and fell down into the pit and landed on her front with her arms in front, she said her head jerked upwards and she got pain in her neck and shoulder blades, she did sit out for the rest of the rotation and carried as normal (so she said) for the rest of the session, they did some conditioning, floor work and cool down. Dd said it hurt her a little bit but she wanted to carry on. I assume that dd has got muscle pain, if not improved by Monday than a visit to the doctor is in order (she hurt herself Thursday), today is Saturday and it is her dancing day, she is not going as she feels she cannot without pain, she said it hurst to do pancake fold, pike fold and when she puts her arms over her head (just past her head) and also when she swings her arms backwards. She is ok walking around, climbing and can stand and touch her toes (she can put her hands flat on the floor with no pain). So far she has refused pain killers.

I was just concerned that as it was her neck that she said hurt and she sat out for a little while the coach would have told me, I don't expect to know about minor bumps and bruises. Maybe I am inexperienced with these things and you have all been there, seen it and got the t shirt

 

[Uglybetty]

Depends on nature of injury. Nasty cut on leg which bled = no; Cut lip from a knee to face = yes. On the whole they're pretty good and will say if they have hurt themselves or are complaining about a sore ankle/arm/back. I know recently they made a child go to A & E because she was showing signs associated with concussion.

 

[Ex member]

My dd has a suspected Whiplash injury after initial distance diagnoses (Nhs choices symptom checker), the advice they gave was to see her GP within the next 36 hours, I am going to her her some ibuprofen and get her to take it for the next few days, she said it hurts a lot when she looks up and when she moves her arms behind her at the level of her shoulder blades and when she lifts them over her head in a circle motion, she said it also hurts a tiny bit when she looks down and moves her head from side to side.

 

[Ex member]

If it does turn out to be whiplash will she still be able to go to gym (if she wants to), she doesn't gave gym until Tuesday, or is that down to the decision of the coach and/or doctor? My inexperience showing her again lol.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

IF she has whiplash, which is a serious hyper-extension of the neck, then she will be in a collar for a while and no gym for a few weeks. Tell her that and then ask her if its better today ?

 

[wallinbl]

If it does turn out to be whiplash will she still be able to go to gym (if she wants to), she doesn't gave gym until Tuesday, or is that down to the decision of the coach and/or doctor? My inexperience showing her again lol.

Let the doctor decide that. Tell the coach what the doctor said. Depending on the injury, they can still go to practice and do limited work that doesn't affect the injured part of the body. But, let the doctor tell you what she can and can't do, and let the coach know what can and can't be done. They may still want her to come in and work on stretching, flexibility, etc.

 

[Ex member]

IF she has whiplash, which is a serious hyper-extension of the neck, then she will be in a collar for a while and no gym for a few weeks. Tell her that and then ask her if its better today ?

She is still getting pain today, no dancing. My oldest dd has gym this afternoon with youngest dd's coach (oldest dd's coach is away), will ask to gave a chat with the coach after session (the gym has no more session then) and then see what see says. Dd can still jump around and do font support shapes etc and beam work (no forward rolls or cartwheels) but will be fine with steps, balances and walks etc, she might not be able to do bars. There is a girl in her group that does not take part in vault at the moment due to a ankle problem so does conditioning. Hopefully dd will not have to miss gym and can do reduced training, I don't want her to make things worse though.

 

[Ex member]

Coming back to my main question, am I right to be concerned that the coach didn't report this type of "injury" to me after practice? Or is it something that does not need to be mentioned by the coach? Common sense tells me that you should report any head, neck or back injury to the parents after session unless urgent treat is required.

 

[skschlag]

I am guessing that since she fell into the pit and carried on with practice, then your dd didn't let the coach know how badly it hurt. Typically falls in the pit don't cause a big injury, so coach may have been unaware of her pain. Gymnasts are notorious for downplaying injuries. I would think that you could talk to the coach about how it is still hurting her, and leave it at that.

 

[Faith]

I disagree slightly here. Especially in the under 10 age group. I'd expect to be told if there was an "accident" type injury, even if the coach just stuck her head out and says she fell off beam and hurt her ankle.

Neck/back/head I'd expect to be told in more detail, how and why, in case there were later complications that needed medical attention. I'd have thought this would be basic for most gyms to cover them insurance wise. If a kid presents at the ER with a sore neck and they don't know there's been a fall? Could lead to incorrect treatment.

So td I guess the answer to your question is did the coach know she'd hurt her neck/back or did she just think she's fallen and maybe given herself a fright?

If the former, I'd say something about neck/back injury protocol as she needed medical attention and you couldn't give a full and correct history.

 

[SurpriseGymMom]

Yeah, just as a "general" thing I don't think I would feel the need to report a fall into the pit unless it was really horrific. That's kind of the purpose of the pit: to fall into. I'm sure gymnasts land a little wrong quite often, I would consider that part of the learning process for my own child.
I hope she feels better soon!

 

[Gymsanity]

Coming back to my main question, am I right to be concerned that the coach didn't report this type of "injury" to me after practice? Or is it something that does not need to be mentioned by the coach? Common sense tells me that you should report any head, neck or back injury to the parents after session unless urgent treat is required.

Yes, you are correct in being concerned about not being told by the coach. Follow your common sense. Where does there stand to be the greater chance for a problem? A coach that mentions an accident, so you can look for any signs of further complications, or one who just blows it off, and acts as though 'she'll be fine'. Remember, a foam pit isn't some sort of fail safe system, many horrific accidents happen in them, and you just got a small preview of what can happen. I hope your daughter feels better soon.

 

[Rapunzel]

I think with head and necks and young children there's a lot unknowns but as she carried on practice it might not have seemed a big deal.
Whiplash has a number of levels, minor whiplash is often left untreated in the UK (no collar), but just see how she goes. I'd recommend she didn't stay completely still as she could stiffen up more but maybe not overdo it.

 

[Ex member]

Seems to be a bit of a debate about the right level of communication from the coach, it is very interesting to read all the different opinions. The coach didn't see the fall, only went with what dd told her, did a few checks and looked for signs of swelling, which there were none. I think as dd carried on as normal after a short break the coach didn't think there was any further problems. In hind sight she should have told the coach about her pain. I think / hope dd has mild whiplash as nearly all neck movements are ok except looking up that does cause some pain, she is taking ibuprofen so that should help. I wish dd told the coach about her pain but she said she wanted to get on with it, I will keep an eye on her and then take her to the GP on Monday if no improvement with pain and then go from there. At the moment I have to keep stopping dd from attempting handstands and cartwheels as she keeps trying to do them as she forgets and when she tries to do them she feels pain (she does them without thinking).

 

[Ex member]

I think with head and necks and young children there's a lot unknowns but as she carried on practice it might not have seemed a big deal.
Whiplash has a number of levels, minor whiplash is often left untreated in the UK (no collar), but just see how she goes. I'd recommend she didn't stay completely still as she could stiffen up more but maybe not overdo it.

Dd can't sit still if she tried lol, she does some neck exercises every so often.

 

[Rapunzel]

Although it sounds like the coach wasn't aware of something that was important enough to report to you, if the coach hadn't seen the fall & your little one carried on without much fuss, then I guess the coach didn't think it was worth mentioning as it might not have been on her radar.

 

[Uglybetty]

As someone who has suffered whiplash....and to a degree in the coaches defence....true whiplash doesn't develop until several hours after the accident. That's often how they catch "fakers" out! With typical whiplash your neck will be fine until 6-12 hours later when it starts to stiffen/hurt like hell.

Therefore, it is entirely possible that your DD was completely fine in gym but has developed soreness later.

 

[Faith]

Sternocleidomastoid muscle is the one you strain in "whiplash".

Just such a great word

 

[Iwannabemargo]

imagine if you could get that in scrabble ! (25 points with no special squares if you were wondering)

 

[Faith]

My other favourite word is "sublimation".

Although the best one for hangman is "rhythm". No vowels