- Dec 31, 2010
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For anyone that hasn't been following, dd has had hip trouble dating back to January, and was diagnosed with Perthes disease this summer. A pretty devastating diagnosis for a gymnast at her age (12, training L7). We initially had hope after meeting with her orthopedic specialist said early stages of Perthes and who did not seem to think surgery was warranted and put her on a self limiting (according to pain) plan with 6 mos of PT/anti inflammatory meds. However, pain and flare ups increased over the last couple of months, meds were changed and added. We sought with a regenerative specialist to try some treatments during this wait and see time period and she had three rounds of prolotherapy ane one of PRP with positive results, a lot of improvement in pain level and stability and had her start wearing a shoe lift for her (close to one inch) leg length discrepancy. However, starting back to school (new school too ugh) has wrecked pure havoc on her condition. Severe pain from sitting in the hard chairs all day and walking around. Bearing weight became significantly harder and she has not been to able to go to practice (she was mainly doing bars/conditioning) but twice in the last few weeks. Then about a week ago, she lost the ability to bear any weight on it and has been using crutches. This is the natural progression of the disease if she is hittng the collapse phase which makes sense time wise but will be a few days before we can get back in to see her specialist. But the reality of it all....is really hitting home. We have decided that she will not be able to continue gymnastics....even if she tried to come back after healing, with the leg length discrepancy and all I'm not sure if her hip will ever be able to handle the impact of high level gymnastics. At this point I just hope that she can recover normal mobility and not need a hip replacement in her 20's. With that being said....I'm heartbroken, she's heartbroken and it's just been a very emotional, teary day. Tomorrow she will go in to clean out her locker and say goodbye to her teammates and coaches. I'm not even sure that I will be able to go, I might have to get DH to take her, b/c I will be a blubbering mess. She's an old timer in this sport, has been a gymnast for 8 years, and competed for 5. She's never been a kid who expected/wanted the Olympics or a college scholarship. She has stuck with this sport for the sheer joy of it. She's known as the kid who's always smiling in the gym. Haven't seen many of those smiles the last couple of weeks. I just wanted to update everyone. I know that this too shall pass, but it's just going to be a lot harder than I thought. I will still be around though and will try to check in. Thanks for everyone who has been here since I first posted when dd was in preteam. (picture posted from those days and one from this past season)
It is just not fair that she is being forced out of something she loves due to this disease. Please do stick around and keep us updated on her progress. I am praying for her healing and freedom from pain, as well as for her to find a new passion to bring that big smile back. Hugs!
