Parents So many injuries

[Kara]

Wow, I just read that page and now I want to get tested. So me, especially the things I bolded:
Joints -
Joint hypermobility; loose/unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocations and/or subluxations; joint pain; hyperextensible joints (they move beyond the joint’s normal range); early onset of osteoarthritis. (Not OA but I do have RA)

Skin
Soft velvety-like skin; variable skin hyper-extensibility; fragile skin that tears or bruises easily (bruising may be severe); severe scarring; slow and poor wound healing; development of molluscoid pseudo tumors (fleshy lesions associated with scars over pressure areas).

Miscellaneous/Less Common
Chronic, early onset, debilitating musculoskeletal pain (usually associated with the Hypermobility Type); arterial/intestinal/uterine fragility or rupture (usually associated with the Vascular Type); scoliosis at birth and scleral fragility (associated with the Kyphoscoliosis Type); poor muscle tone (associated with the Arthrochalasia Type); mitral valve prolapse; and gum disease.



You know how you see some dancers and gymnasts that seem to have every single joint taped? That was me. I honestly don’t even know how many times I have sprained both ankles because it has happened so many times now. I don’t wear heels, even wedges, because my ankles are so unstable.

I would definitely try to find a good doctor who is well educated about EDS; your symptoms certainly fit, and it never hurts to get tested. I know for me it was a huge relief to find out all my weird seemingly unrelated symptoms had an actual cause.

 

[LGnyc]

I’ve also done some research that HMS goes beyond joints - into circulation and digestion etc. When I brought my son to a GI to discuss his reflux, it came up that HMS can be associated with GERD. I’m going to talk to his ped about a full investigation and how to get that done. It sounds like this has really impacted your lives.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

going back to the original question, its a really tough one to answer.

My DD has just had her first real serious injury, her back. Thought it was spondy but the diagnosis seems to be irritation from growth and overuse, plus she is not using the right muscles for the right job.

She has been off gym since October but is now looking to go back. She has been doing PT and weight training to strengthen her glutes and legs to help her back.

Hubbie was a high level (international) rugby player. He now takes high strength Codeine to function. He has a broken back, no cartilage left in his knees and numerous bits of metal holding the rest of him together. Many scars from the stitches and he tore his hamstrings 3 times . Ask him, even on bad days when he cant get up from the couch unaided if it was worth it and he will say yes.

A lot of wear and tear injuries don't cause major problems until later on, but as a parent, yes sometimes its up to you to say enough

 

[jenjean70]

Wow, I just read that page and now I want to get tested. So me, especially the things I bolded:
Joints -
Joint hypermobility; loose/unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocations and/or subluxations; joint pain; hyperextensible joints (they move beyond the joint’s normal range); early onset of osteoarthritis. (Not OA but I do have RA)

Skin
Soft velvety-like skin; variable skin hyper-extensibility; fragile skin that tears or bruises easily (bruising may be severe); severe scarring; slow and poor wound healing; development of molluscoid pseudo tumors (fleshy lesions associated with scars over pressure areas).

Miscellaneous/Less Common
Chronic, early onset, debilitating musculoskeletal pain (usually associated with the Hypermobility Type); arterial/intestinal/uterine fragility or rupture (usually associated with the Vascular Type); scoliosis at birth and scleral fragility (associated with the Kyphoscoliosis Type); poor muscle tone (associated with the Arthrochalasia Type); mitral valve prolapse; and gum disease.



You know how you see some dancers and gymnasts that seem to have every single joint taped? That was me. I honestly don’t even know how many times I have sprained both ankles because it has happened so many times now. I don’t wear heels, even wedges, because my ankles are so unstable.

Whoa- There is a little girl on team (level 7 this year) who has paper thin and very stretchy skin. She is also know for her hyper-flexibility. I know she has had stitches many times because she will kick or bump something and split her skin. She has also broken a bone...I wonder if she has this disorder.....

 

[sewgood]

I’ve also done some research that HMS goes beyond joints - into circulation and digestion etc. When I brought my son to a GI to discuss his reflux, it came up that HMS can be associated with GERD. I’m going to talk to his ped about a full investigation and how to get that done. It sounds like this has really impacted your lives.

I have GERD as well. I had no idea that could be related to hyper mobile joints.

 

[sewgood]

Whoa- There is a little girl on team (level 7 this year) who has paper thin and very stretchy skin. She is also know for her hyper-flexibility. I know she has had stitches many times because she will kick or bump something and split her skin. She has also broken a bone...I wonder if she has this disorder.....

Does she hate bars? I always got so many rips. Not just my hands, either. Wrist (under the wristband of my grips) and hip rips and hip bruises. It was a painful event for me.

 

[LGnyc]

I have GERD as well. I had no idea that could be related to hyper mobile joints.

The GI was pretty definitive. I’m eager to learn more.

 

[gymjunkie]

It's systemic, so a diagnoses would also look at issues with teeth/gums, blood vessels, skin, GI, organs (more prone to herniation and rupture), cardiac (mostly concerning valves and the size of the aorta) and the autonomic nervous system (which can fail due to hyper-flexibility of the blood vessels). Also the joint hyper-flexibility does not necessarily mean the kid can do oversplits. They might have fingers that bend backwards & hyperextended knees, but tight hamstrings.

 

[tucktwisttumble]

I'd like to chime in regarding injury prevention.

No one has yet to mention the importance of not only conditioning & proper technique for injury prevention, but also nutrition!
Of course a bad fall can lead to a fracture or break, sprain etc. However, there is so much science to support supplementation to aid in joint health, to prevent over use or long-term injuries.

I know there is some controversy regarding a glucosamine sulfate supplement for joint health, but if/when I have children who would like to partake in youth sports, I will definitely be having them take certain supplements, such as the one above, to aid in injury prevention.

I know many don't share this opinion, however I am so thankful my parents encouraged these supplements when I was younger & in these extremely physically demanding activities.

For those who are curious this is the glucosamine sulfate supplement I took & there is a bunch of information on how it works on the website: https://shop.usana.com/shop/spring/shopping/productDetail?ProductID=131.010102#.WkvqS1WnFhE

** Disclaimer I am aware it is a direct-selling company, however it is the only brand I trust for supplements. I have been taking many of their supplements since young childhood, and cannot praise the product enough. I am not a sales representative, or affiliated with this company in any capacity.

 

[LGnyc]

I’m supppsed to hear the MRI results after 5 today or some time tomorrow. Super nervous. Pls wish her luck. Will report in.

 

[LGnyc]

And PS pediatrician advised that we get bloodwork done for my son to look for potential inflammation and if we need to consult a rheumatologist. They would have drawn it today but we just found out he has walking pneumonia and it could skew the bloodwork. Never a dull moment.

 

[LGnyc]

So the report is actually no report. He is now pulling by from the original diagnosis of gymnast wrist in July. Her MRI showed no damage to the growth plate - hooray! - but apparently she had an extra small bone in her hand that could be causing this pain. But the pain was bilateral and he is only seeing the bone on the right. So ultimately he just doesn’t know. We will now go to a hand specialist and luckily have one we like a lot. The question is how quickly we can get in.

While he says she can do whatever she wants to in the gym she says she is in too much pain to put weight on it. So in a holding pattern. Don’t know if we should cancel hotel in Boston or book flights for Florida. It’s all so confusing.

 

[duyetanh]

Yay on no damage! But boo on not being able to put any weight on it. I am so sorry. It has got to be very frustrating as well as confusing.

 

[Jazzjerz]

I'm sorry you didn't get a conclusive answer today. That is so frustrating. I'll send positive vibes for super quick specialist scheduling.

 

[raenndrops]

So the report is actually no report. He is now pulling by from the original diagnosis of gymnast wrist in July. Her MRI showed no damage to the growth plate - hooray! - but apparently she had an extra small bone in her hand that could be causing this pain. But the pain was bilateral and he is only seeing the bone on the right. So ultimately he just doesn’t know. We will now go to a hand specialist and luckily have one we like a lot. The question is how quickly we can get in.

While he says she can do whatever she wants to in the gym she says she is in too much pain to put weight on it. So in a holding pattern. Don’t know if we should cancel hotel in Boston or book flights for Florida. It’s all so confusing.

We have a gymnast wiyj an extra bone in her foot... discovered AFTER 4 weeks in a boot for a "broken foot" that wasnt broken... extra bone had a stress reaction. She was out for 12 weeks total and came back slowly.

Only let her do what doesnt cause pain... so she needs "bluetooth" routines if she is going to compete ... so for now, no bars or vault.
Floor will be tough... but maybe beam?? I forget her level.

 

[LGnyc]

I’ve never heard the term Bluetooth in terms of routines. She’s L7. I don’t think there is much she can do that is not weight bearing.

 

[raenndrops]

I’ve never heard the term Bluetooth in terms of routines. She’s L7. I don’t think there is much she can do that is not weight bearing.

Bluetooth means hands-free.
Floor would be tricky, but could be done... Aerial roundoff-whip back-layout and FT-FT.

Level 6 BEAM can be done that way, kinda (1 armed cartwheel), but not Level 7

If she has those skills and can modify her routines in time, she could compete at least floor.

We had a girl who came back from injury barely in time for Y Nationals (had already paid and sister was going and mom was there as a coach so she was already going to be there). She competed beam... MEDALED on beam, and made us have an "official" team for team awards

 

[LGnyc]

An update: While not a gymnast, I mentioned here that my son is hyper mobile. His pediatrician did a blood panel to look for markers. As he explained it, if all is normal, the blood work comes back quickly. If there are any signs or signals that something is off, like signals of inflammation (don't know how they see that in blood, but...) then it automatically kicks to another series of blood tests. I'm happy to report his came back normal. Thought I'd report in so that if there are others out there who are worried about similar complications, blood work seems like a good place to start. If something had come up, next he would have sent us to a rheumatologist.

 

[Aussie_coach]

There is a well known YouTube gymnast called Whitney Bjerken, she is a level 9 and is sporting an injury at the moment and has posted videos of her floor and beam routines, with no arms. Why not have a look.

 

[LGnyc]

There is a well known YouTube gymnast called Whitney Bjerken, she is a level 9 and is sporting an injury at the moment and has posted videos of her floor and beam routines, with no arms. Why not have a look.

Thank you for the suggestion, Aussie_coach and Raenndrops. I watched. She's a beautiful gymnast and dancer. Even in the warm ups you could see the precise grace of her movements. I assume she's going Elite? Unfortunately, my L7 just doesn't have the skills go to hands free in any way. Because our gym is so rigidly two tier, TOPS/HOPES and regular JO, the girls who are not TOPs just aren't pushed to the next level of skills very aggressively. She has a good FHS FP/FLO but not so much on the FT FT. And bc the three skill BLO pass is required, she can do a one handed RO into a BLO, but doesn't have a third, like a connected BT. Open to suggestions if you have them, but otherwise, I'm just hitting this specialist appt today and hoping against hope this is a short/easy fix. Not likely given this has been so chronic, but a mom can hope.