Parents Attitude Toward Injuries

[l.c.o]

Oh, yes. We've experienced it. Both my DD and I have.

DD had pain later discovered to be in her Achilles' tendon. She saw the gym's trainer soonest possible time of original pain (within a week). She improved some with restrictions.

After 1-2 weeks (don't remember), trainer said see a doc - he was concerned with how tight her tendon felt. Saw a doc within a week. New restrictions. Was told that if they were followed, she could do upper body/strength and that she should be good in a week. They were not followed to the letter (unsure how close, but I know DD did quite a bit of tramp and was supposed to avoid that).

DD worsened over another two weeks. Trainer said to try PT. Therapist was actually someone I kind of knew and was a former gymnast from same club as DD. She freaked at how sensitive the tendon was, how protective DD was over it, and at the reported pain level. She pulled DD from all practice for one week (no gym class, no running...). She wasn't to step foot in the club. Coach was not happy... arguments did ensue which I held our ground. At that point I felt like we tried it "their way" for a month and it didn't work - it worsened. We needed to try something else. Plus, we figured that if DD continued to worsen, we knew she'd miss much of the season, but figured if we treated per therapist, she could theoretically compete at most meets if she maintained her skills (she did).

I get that some kids are prone to tendinitis (I recently posted a podcast about that here). DD might be. But a coach telling a mom that they have other kids dealing with similar issues for two years plus? A. it doesn't inspire confidence that it's being treated properly in the gym, and B. If it is a normal "thing" then no thank you.

Now... Occasional flare ups? I totally understand, but constant pain?! My kid is 10! And a new level 4! Am I overprotective? Probably, but I don't think I was unreasonable.

Now, could Dd have been exaggerating? Is there possibly some reason she didn't want to compete, etc? Anything is possible. But she frequently spent time in tears frustrated because she thought she was falling behind, she worried about what her coaches were saying, so I'm liable to believe she was really hurt.

Anyway from that point it was six weeks until DD could do anything resembling a "real" practice. She seems to have worked hard and managed to only miss her first meet of the season, and took 2nd AA at state for level 4 (granted, some of that was luck of the age group for once).

We ended up switching gyms after state due to DDs insistence. It wasn't until two weeks in that I discovered she'd been hiding pain in her OTHER Achilles' tendon for over a month (per therapist, it was not her dominant leg, she likely rushed coming back - conditioning wasn't 100%??). We learned that DD had wanted to switch because she was scared to tell her coach and go through everything again (she had actually heard a coach yell at me and refuse to follow some of PT's suggestions...). New club has been a foreign experience. They suggested she see a doc. We asked to wait since it seemed like the start of what happened in the fall and we had rehab instructions and a PT I could check in with if we needed to. We didn't. Coaches followed DD's lead, listened and found alternative things for her to do when she said it hurt, and within three weeks she had no more pain and was back to yurchenko drills et. al. She currently seems to be the healthiest she's been in eight months, despite doing more vaulting, tumbling, etc. Knock wood!

Sorry this was so long. But yes, all this to say DD and I have experienced both sides so far. I understand the apprehension and the fear of misstepping. The wondering of your child is REALLY that hurt... All you can do is trust your instincts, but maybe try to see coachs' POV and compromise when you really find it appropriate. Good luck and I hope they're understanding and you get through it quickly! Healing faeries to your DD!

My DD almost left the sport altogether over this, and I'd been in agreement. Right now I'm feeling grateful she gave the new gym a chance. Granted, it's only been a few months! And sorry this is rant-y, oh boy!

 

[profmom]

No, Go, but the trainer is more analogous to the coach, and the trainer might opt to modify the horse's training rather than go to a vet, or treat a minor or moderate injury her/himself. And a good trainer would only work with vets experienced in treating racehorses, the analogy of a sports medicine specialist. A trainer with many years of experience might actually know a little more about some things than a less experienced vet. (And heck, I think I knew more about Sever's than the ortho tech we saw several months ago, who was having trouble reading the info off the sheet she printed out for us . . .)

 

[gopuckgo]

No, Go, but the trainer is more analogous to the coach, and the trainer might opt to modify the horse's training rather than go to a vet, or treat a minor or moderate injury her/himself. And a good trainer would only work with vets experienced in treating racehorses, the analogy of a sports medicine specialist. A trainer with many years of experience might actually know a little more about some things than a less experienced vet. (And heck, I think I knew more about Sever's than the ortho tech we saw several months ago, who was having trouble reading the info off the sheet she printed out for us . . .)

I'm speaking of more severe injuries, not just basic tendinitis. I'm a coach as well and would never intentionally ignore physician orders or advice. I can tell you this, not following orders from a specialist is a liability to the gym and coach if further injury occurs as a direct result of going against orders. In most states it is illegal to practice medicine without a degree. Encouraging parents to avoid doctors when a kid has a severe injury is ridiculous. Fact is unless a coach has a license to practice as a MD, DO, PT, OT, Chiropractor or AT then they have no business diagnosing and treating. That is common sense.

 

[Anna's_Mom]

I tend to agree with you Anna's_Mom, but you will find doctors that also have no clue what you mean. When D hurt his shoulder, I asked the doctor if he could do Gym (Not his regular doctor). Doctor's reply was "I see no reason why he can't participate in PE." I had to explain to him that D was a competitive gymnast, and then he said "oh I don' tknow, stay off it for 2 weeks). He really had no idea.

Good point, and you are right -- I was definitely looking at this through my "take her to the pediatric sports orthopedic clinic at children's hospital" lens. I sometimes forget how blessed we are with the care we have available. Even her regular pediatrician will put things in really clear terms with specifications of how much she can lift, how far she can jump/fall, what type of surface is safe etc. So yes, definitely assuming that the medical professional on the other end of this understands exactly what the potential issues are!

 

[profmom]

I'm speaking of more severe injuries, not just basic tendinitis. I'm a coach as well and would never intentionally ignore physician orders or advice. I can tell you this, not following orders from a specialist is a liability to the gym and coach if further injury occurs as a direct result of going against orders. In most states it is illegal to practice medicine without a degree. Encouraging parents to avoid doctors when a kid has a severe injury is ridiculous. Fact is unless a coach has a license to practice as a MD, DO, PT, OT, Chiropractor or AT then they have no business diagnosing and treating. That is common sense.

But you probably trust yourself to determine whether it's a severe injury or "just basic tendinitis." On occasion, I've seen or had useful conversations with coaches about whether a kid should go and get checked out, and if so, even what specifically should be checked out. This constitutes medical advice.

Depending on what state you're in, if a parent advises/allows a child to work out against medical advice, the parent may indeed own the consequences, even if the coach encouraged working out.

If you really want to get folks going, we can talk about two issues: casting for Severs and the amount of time a child should be off for a simple finger fracture. Lots of daylight between some coaches on the one side and some medical professionals on the other on both of these!

 

[gymmomtoo]

We've been lucky enough to have doctors that understand gymnastics and athletes--two of them had their own kids in gymnastics--and they knew what it meant to stay off of it, etc. We had more trouble with the PT people--not having a clue about what could be done safely while recovering from an injury in gymnastics.

 

[gopuckgo]

But you probably trust yourself to determine whether it's a severe injury or "just basic tendinitis." On occasion, I've seen or had useful conversations with coaches about whether a kid should go and get checked out, and if so, even what specifically should be checked out. This constitutes medical advice.

Depending on what state you're in, if a parent advises/allows a child to work out against medical advice, the parent may indeed own the consequences, even if the coach encouraged working out.

If you really want to get folks going, we can talk about two issues: casting for Severs and the amount of time a child should be off for a simple finger fracture. Lots of daylight between some coaches on the one side and some medical professionals on the other on both of these!

Like I said in many previous posts, each case is unique and must be treated as such. I've seen coaches training kids with avulsion fractures, fractures of the spine and elbow on growth plates, you name it. I've also seen looney tunes parents pushing their kids through near career ending injuries just to have them compete during season. I've also seen good coaches who are able to assist and know when to and not to back off. I've also experienced coaches who have no business being around children let alone coaching them. I've seen both sides of the fence happen.

I've also just experienced a very bad situation with my own daughter with a coach who threw away orders from an Orthopedic Surgeon because they knew better and almost cost my daughter her knee for her whole career. Thank GOD, I am in the medical field and intervened! Otherwise, she may not be in the sport anymore. She is now excelling at her new gym who has an amazing sports medicine doctor on staff who checks her out weekly.

The big picture here is that each gym, coach, parent and doctor is unique and must be taken per situation. Some gums are great (like our new one) and some are NOT. We just don't know on this board which kids are where and how their coaches or parents are, so the best advice is to trust a professional with injuries.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

That's not what anyone is saying. As a parent at some point you will have to put two and two together. Dd's foot only hurts when It's time to do her beam series, Hmmmmm..... Meanwhile the doctor tells her to take a few weeks off, yay! Get it?

 

[Deleted member 14190]

We've been lucky enough to have doctors that understand gymnastics and athletes--two of them had their own kids in gymnastics--and they knew what it meant to stay off of it, etc. We had more trouble with the PT people--not having a clue about what could be done safely while recovering from an injury in gymnastics.

Yep

 

[profmom]

That's not what anyone is saying. As a parent at some point you will have to put two and two together. Dd's foot only hurts when It's time to do her beam series, Hmmmmm..... Meanwhile the doctor tells her to take a few weeks off, yay! Get it?

These are the really hard ones, when you just can't tell for sure what is going on. Sometimes I think even the child her/himself doesn't know. I think some of them are more likely to notice/attend to ordinary aches and pains when they are working on an event that's giving them trouble, so it's not even necessarily that they are conscious of their avoidance. This is where a coach's knowledge can be really helpful -- the coach is probably best situated to tell the parent that something weird is going on if a child complains of ankle pain on beam but not floor or back pain on pbars but not vault.

Signed, the parent of the child whose bladder was overactive on beam for two years

 

[Deleted member 14190]

These are the really hard ones, when you just can't tell for sure what is going on. Sometimes I think even the child her/himself doesn't know. I think some of them are more likely to notice/attend to ordinary aches and pains when they are working on an event that's giving them trouble, so it's not even necessarily that they are conscious of their avoidance. This is where a coach's knowledge can be really helpful -- the coach is probably best situated to tell the parent that something weird is going on if a child complains of ankle pain on beam but not floor or back pain on pbars but not vault.

Signed, the parent of the child whose bladder was overactive on beam for two years

oh, yea, I totally agree, it's a puzzle for sure and no real answer. As a parent you have to be a detective at the same time. And contrary to others here, yes the coach has to be one as well. (you would be astonished at how many kids I have gotten to admit to their parents that they were embellishing injuries to get out of assignments)
I have literally walked into the gym while suzie was bouncing on tramp having a grand time, then comes to me and tells me that the Dr says she can't do anything for 2 weeks, when coincidentally just the day prior she was having major fear issues with a skill..... People, this happens all the time. So while I understand the concept and importance of taking a DR's word, the problem is that the Dr is taking Susie's word... And no amount of prodding, pushing, "does it hurt there" is going to determine that the injury real or embellished (unless its visible), if the child says so . And no WAY is the child going to back away from the claim once you go through the trouble of taking them all the way to the DR. They are committed now! Again, this happens all the time in Gymnastics... why? F E A R. So good luck all, no solution here, but I think its good to talk about it. And again, please don't take this as a suggestion to ignore all injuries!

 

[gymgal]

That's not what anyone is saying. As a parent at some point you will have to put two and two together. Dd's foot only hurts when It's time to do her beam series, Hmmmmm..... Meanwhile the doctor tells her to take a few weeks off, yay! Get it?

yes, but surely you would agree that there are many instances in which pain will present itself only on a certain skill or set of skills and it is related to the skill itself (likely incorrect execution of the skill), not to fear or other metal blocks. But I agree that a blanket "2 wks off" rx is not helpful....

 

[gopuckgo]

Yrs

oh, yea, I totally agree, it's a puzzle for sure and no real answer. As a parent you have to be a detective at the same time. And contrary to others here, yes the coach has to be one as well. (you would be astonished at how many kids I have gotten to admit to their parents that they were embellishing injuries to get out of assignments)
I have literally walked into the gym while suzie was bouncing on tramp having a grand time, then comes to me and tells me that the Dr says she can't do anything for 2 weeks, when coincidentally just the day prior she was having major fear issues with a skill..... People, this happens all the time. So while I understand the concept and importance of taking a DR's word, the problem is that the Dr is taking Susie's word... And no amount of prodding, pushing, "does it hurt there" is going to determine that the injury real or embellished (unless its visible), if the child says so . And no WAY is the child going to back away from the claim once you go through the trouble of taking them all the way to the DR. They are committed now! Again, this happens all the time in Gymnastics... why? F E A R. So good luck all, no solution here, but I think its good to talk about it. And again, please don't take this as a suggestion to ignore all injuries!

Yes normal aches and pains are a part of the sport and fear issues do creep up, absolutely! I've seen kids break down and cry over doing basic back handsprings on beam over fear and then start limping to get out of it. That is not what I am referring to though. We recently experienced a situation with my own child who was told by her then coaches that the pain she was experiencing was normal aches and pains and to push through it.

Well for 6 months she did. They insisted her issue was fear based. I stepped in after 6 months of it getting worse and worse and her little fear issue and normal ache (as diagnosed by her coaches) turned out to be a near Avulsion fracture of the knee growth plate coupled with severe SLJ. Coaches still didn't believe it after two separate X-rays and two separate orthos sent letters to them. If I didn't have the background that I do and hadn't stepped in when I did, she would not be doing the sport because she would have had to have surgery to repair it.

As good as some intentions often appear to be, it is not always the best to ignore pain that is constant. In our case my daughter developed fear secondary to real pain that she kept trying to fight through. I get "oh Susie hurt her hand" and little Susie is swinging suicides on the bar without problems. Knowing the kid that you are dealing with is extremely helpful, but as in our case it didn't help with stubborn coaches who wouldn't listen because they believed they were right in their minds. And they really thought it was fear based even with professionals telling them otherwise.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Y

yes, but surely you would agree that there are many instances in which pain will present itself only on a certain skill or set of skills and it is related to the skill itself (likely incorrect execution of the skill), not to fear or other metal blocks. But I agree that a blanket "2 wks off" rx is not helpful....

Yes , and that is the puzzle. So no answer here.

 

[gopuckgo]

That's not what anyone is saying. As a parent at some point you will have to put two and two together. Dd's foot only hurts when It's time to do her beam series, Hmmmmm..... Meanwhile the doctor tells her to take a few weeks off, yay! Get it?

Yes, but I'm referring to the OP whose child has a real injury and is scared to tell the coaches about it due to their frustration. Been there, done that recently.

I agree with you on all points about non-serious injuries and fakers. That does happen too, but we had a previous gym full of "fakers" whose injuries all turned out to be legit. Some had fractured vertebrates and had been complaining about it for a year, others fractured wrists and complaining of pain for a year, you get the point. Clearly this was not you or your gym, you get it. But not all gym coaches are like you.

 

[LizzieLac]

I fully believe that it takes smart coach, the right doctor (kind - sports med orthopedic, and right personal approach), the right gymnast, the right parent, the right PT (also sports med trained) to deal with injuries properly. It really only takes on weak link in the chain to screw up an athlete having further injury, not coming back as strong and healthy as possible, or even to sideline an athlete if they really don't have to be.

 

[sce]

Yrs



Well for 6 months she did. They insisted her issue was fear based. I stepped in after 6 months of it getting worse and worse and her little fear issue and normal ache (as diagnosed by her coaches) turned out to be a near Avulsion fracture of the knee growth plate coupled with severe SLJ. Coaches still didn't believe it after two separate X-rays and two separate orthos sent letters to them. If I didn't have the background that I do and hadn't stepped in when I did, she would not be doing the sport because she would have had to have surgery to repair it.

As good as some intentions often appear to be, it is not always the best to ignore pain that is constant. In our case my daughter developed fear secondary to real pain that she kept trying to fight through. I get "oh Susie hurt her hand" and little Susie is swinging suicides on the bar without problems. Knowing the kid that you are dealing with is extremely helpful, but as in our case it didn't help with stubborn coaches who wouldn't listen because they believed they were right in their minds. And they really thought it was fear based even with professionals telling them otherwise.

I'm glad you got your dd checked out and in a better place.

I'm shocked that coaches with any amount of experience working with adolescent kids acted this way! Issues of the growth plates are so common in gymnasts. When my ds' knee flared up both his coach and I were pretty sure what was wrong before we went to the doctor. His coach also knows that ds would rather keep working than stop due to pain. The last thing eh wants is to sit on the side icing his knees while his teammates are still tumbling or vaulting. The coaches still force him to stop though.

I have also seen kids who say they are in pain/need ice to get out of working. I would think a good coach could tell the difference (most of the time) and not make parents afraid to report when there is a real injury.

 

[bookworm]

And it gets worse in college where they compete 12 weeks in a row...and they want you competing, period.

 

[gopuckgo]

I'm glad you got your dd checked out and in a better place.

I'm shocked that coaches with any amount of experience working with adolescent kids acted this way! Issues of the growth plates are so common in gymnasts. When my ds' knee flared up both his coach and I were pretty sure what was wrong before we went to the doctor. His coach also knows that ds would rather keep working than stop due to pain. The last thing eh wants is to sit on the side icing his knees while his teammates are still tumbling or vaulting. The coaches still force him to stop though.

I have also seen kids who say they are in pain/need ice to get out of working. I would think a good coach could tell the difference (most of the time) and not make parents afraid to report when there is a real injury.

One would hope. Unfortuneately it is not always the case. You are very lucky to have such a great coach. We are now, luckily, in the same boat as you with awesome coaches. But now I know what it can be like elsewhere and I have seen a lot over 30 years to make an impression on me both ways. I feel for the OP, it can and often is very scary having to deliver bad news to a coach who maybe isn't on the same page as the doctors.

 

[headoverheels]

An update for anyone interested: DD had an MRI on the foot that is causing pain and today we were back to the doctor for results. The good news is there's no break but the bad news is that she's still hurting. Because DD was recently sick and spent most of her time on the couch and as a result, there was a little improvement, the doc put her on total "foot rest" for two weeks. She's in an air cast and on crutches. Have mercy! She will miss her next meet, I assume, since she won't get out of the boot until two days before. This is the second meet in a row that she's missed. I am ready for her to be healthy!