Anon Surgery?

[Anonymous (1c9b)]

I’m an xcel gold gymnast and have been doing gymnastics my whole life and a few years ago I noticed swelling in my right ring finger I though nothing of it. Then in July my parents noticed and when I went in for my back to school checkup they asked about it and I got an x-ray. I forget what the doctor said it was some fancy long word about tissue swelling. She said I can just leave it unless it starts to bother me and then we will get an mri and she gave me a referral to orthopedic hand surgery. It has started to bother me a lot and pops constantly and throbs as well. I told my parents and I think they might make an appointment. But I don’t want them to because competition season has just started and I don’t want to take time off because I think either this year or next year will be my last season, if I wait until this summer then I would have to still take time off and I would have to miss the swim season which is not an opinion because if I skip summer swim I will be really slow and out of shape for my first high school swim season or not able to do it at all which I really want to do it. So idk what to do

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Two answers:

First, we don't allow threads asking for this sort of medical advice on Chalk Bucket. Most of us are not qualified physicians, and even if any of us were, we would not be able to diagnose or recommend treatment over an internet forum. The best place to go for medical advice is always a qualified doctor who has conducted a proper examination.

Second, taking care of your body should always take priority over training and competition. Sports will last you into your mid twenties at most; your body has to last another 70ish years after that. Always prioritize taking care of your body.