Parents Update DD back

[Scotsgirl]

DD has been attending physio , she has been given several exercises to do twice a day . The physio said she has back hyper mobility , she has now been told she can slowly introduce all the skills and conditioning back into her training . I don't know to much about this so was wondering if any one here has any info ? thanks

 

[xrachx]

You have my full empathy. I suffer with mild hypermobility syndrome primarily in my back, neck, shoulders and legs (after exercise, it'll usually take me 2-3 days to be pain free), and my DD was diagnosed with HMS after her dislocated finger recently (but we don't know the extent of how bad hers is yet).

Main thing to note is exercise is good for someone with HMS. Strengthening the muscles can help keep the ligaments in check. Over exertion and over stretching is the thing to avoid where possible so your DD will need to be aware of her own limitations, but just ice and heat to help if it happens

 

[xxStumpyxx]

My oldest gymmie has HMS and also suspected EDS, her ankles, wrists (new pain area) and hips are most effected, her ankles can give way on her several times a day if she walks too far (we have now been given a wheel chair for when things get too much pain wise), she has just finished a course of physio and has a referral to the feet specialist, she doesn't get pain in her hips at the moment which s a good thing.

My daughter has been getting increasing problems in her right wrist which takes days to become pain free again, it is a bit of a bark as she is right handed, she has low muscle tone and despite being in gymnastics for three years cannot do a full pull up yet, getting close though. My daughter is now 12 and I cannot see her being able to continue with the side if the sport she does and are seriously thinking of going back to rec gymnastics once a week for fitness reasons if she keeps getting problems, her physio also recommended trampolining which she loves, she currently goes for half hour a week and makes sure her ankles are well supported, this is at a recreational level and is doesn't matter if she has time off here and there.

We are going for a referral to a joint specialist, she already has an OT

 

[Faith]

This is kind of an issue with gymnasts- often the very flexible ones are the ones that stand out early.

But with the flexibility comes an increased risk of injury. They need a lot of time on conditioning to prevent it, which is hard and boring for young gymmies.

What do her coaches say? Has she been training through?

We had a girl with hms- she wasnt allowed to train flexibility past a normal range in warm up. She did conditioning while the others trained flexibility.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Pink has mild HMS in her arms and legs, luckily not her wrists ankles and back though.

Her coaches have always been very good with stretches making sure only normal motion was allowed and since she has put on more muscle her range of motion has decreases slightly and everything has tightened up a bit

 

[Scotsgirl]

This is kind of an issue with gymnasts- often the very flexible ones are the ones that stand out early.

But with the flexibility comes an increased risk of injury. They need a lot of time on conditioning to prevent it, which is hard and boring for young gymmies.

What do her coaches say? Has she been training through?

We had a girl with hms- she wasnt allowed to train flexibility past a normal range in warm up. She did conditioning while the others trained flexibility.

Thanks for the replies , her coach has been great , dd has not been working on anything to do with hyper extension of the back for nearly 7 weeks she can still do tucks and flips , she has been working more on core strength plus her shoulders are not as flexible so her back has been taking a beating because of this . Hoping now we all know the reason they will know how to deal with her at the gym . The physio attends the gym also once a week so he will keep an eye on her also , she is using a resistance band at home for exercises .

 

[Jenny]

A lot of back issues in gymnastics seem to be related to less flexible shoulders . So the back is over used for backbends.

 

[Scotsgirl]

A lot of back issues in gymnastics seem to be related to less flexible shoulders . So the back is over used for backbends.

Would this mean that dd would need to quit or would this be something she can work through ? it would be awful for her if she had to give up at this point

 

[xxStumpyxx]

They would probably give her some exercises to work on to help with her shoulder flexibility, it might be wise to keep a closer eye on your daughter if she gets a lot of back pain, the coaches will more than likely keep a closer eye on her. Have you spoken to the coach now you have a diagnosis of what is causing the back pain?

 

[Scotsgirl]

They would probably give her some exercises to work on to help with her shoulder flexibility, it might be wise to keep a closer eye on your daughter if she gets a lot of back pain, the coaches will more than likely keep a closer eye on her. Have you spoken to the coach now you have a diagnosis of what is causing the back pain?

Yes the coach will be working on her shoulder and core strength more now , she was aware her shoulders are not very flexible before the back pain so hopefully they will continue to work with her for this .

 

[Faith]

Looking at your profile picture, it looks like her elbows are hypermobile too?

 

[Scotsgirl]

Looking at your profile picture, it looks like her elbows are hypermobile too?

I really do not know to be honest , does that sound bad ? she has thankfully never complained of any pain anywhere else , I will ask the physio at gym tomorrow about her elbows .

 

[Jenny]

Would this mean that dd would need to quit or would this be something she can work through ? it would be awful for her if she had to give up at this point

Your coaches need to make sure she improves her shoulder flexibility while maintaining stability and improves the core strength around the spine.

The coaches need to make sure that she understands how to use her shoulders to back walkover and not bend through her back. And they need to police this constantly because children forget and revert to 'easier' techniques especially when tired.

They also need to limit the number of bridges and back walkovers to an absolute minimum.

It won't be easy but with good conditioning, and careful training she won't have to stop. She just needs to be careful. Hopefully as she gets stronger it won't be an issue.

 

[Faith]

If she straightens her arms as straight as she can, do they still look bent? Ie bend the other way..

Not a big problem, just as jenny says, she'll need to take care and condition a lot. Hypermobility means the ligaments stretch more than usual- so she needs her muscles to hold her joints in place too.

 

[Scotsgirl]

I have had a conversation with dd coach today she will be stretching dd shoulders more and lots of core strength exercises she said her shoulders are not the best but by no means the worst , she needs to learn to use her shoulders more instead of her back and remind her constantly about this . I am very happy with the coach as she is working closely with dd and understands what needs to be done . Dd has been training 14 hours since Christmas so I am guessing the problem became obvious as her training increased .

I am confident now I have spoken to her coach that she is very clued up and understands what needs to be done .