WAG Bone bruise on spine?

[sce]

But you guys are saying pain on hyper extending is a concern? The gym has worked out her exercises with the pt and she is doing a lot of core. She is working mostly level 4 stuff. Since she is better I have felt OK; would you still be worried? Honestly, this is my kid that seems to have a low pain threshold, so I generally assume things aren't that bad; but I'd hate to overlook something serious.

With her still having pain I would push for an MRI.

 

[Committed]

Well, I'm going to have her out of gym (& PE) completely for the next 2 weeks and reassess at that point.
We tried a day of modified gym, and she was hurting all day today. So... Cold turkey it is.

Wish us luck!

 

[Rockygym]

Good luck!

 

[Seeker]

Good luck. I hope she feels better very soon.

 

[IreneKa]

We've actually just came from the doctor's appointment too. DD's back hurts again. The doctor didn't even order X-ray, just sent us straight to MRI. I asked if we could do CT scan instead, but she said MRI is better, because it would show not only bones, but also disks and other stuff, so it would give us a more clear picture of what's going on. So, MRI next week, and follow up appointment in two weeks. For now no back bends, no vaulting, no dismounts. And we need to find a better physical therapist.

 

[gracyomalley]

Just to clarify - MRIs are more expensive - but much safer (no radiation) and more specific for back/spine/joint issues . xrays in back pain are almost useless....literally. Will show large fractures (like car accident fractures not hurts to do back bend fractures). There are specific injuries that are very common in gymnasts (both acute and more chronic) that show up on MRI and require certain treatment - good radiologists (esp pediatric ones) and ortho/sports MDs (and some pediatricians) will be familiar with them. Some PTs as well but not all. Ask around - generally coaches or parents of upper level gymnasts will know who in our area "knows this stuff"....

 

[IreneKa]

Just to clarify - MRIs are more expensive - but much safer (no radiation) and more specific for back/spine/joint issues . xrays in back pain are almost useless....literally. Will show large fractures (like car accident fractures not hurts to do back bend fractures). There are specific injuries that are very common in gymnasts (both acute and more chronic) that show up on MRI and require certain treatment - good radiologists (esp pediatric ones) and ortho/sports MDs (and some pediatricians) will be familiar with them. Some PTs as well but not all. Ask around - generally coaches or parents of upper level gymnasts will know who in our area "knows this stuff"....

Yes, that was another reason the doctor mentioned why she wanted to do MRI and not CT scan. She said CT scan exposes to radiation, which is not good by itself, but especially not recommended for girls in that lower back area.

 

[sce]

IreneKa, so sorry to hear she is having pain again. I hope it's not so serious and that rest and PT will be all she needs.

 

[IreneKa]

IreneKa, so sorry to hear she is having pain again. I hope it's not so serious and that rest and PT will be all she needs.

Thank you. The doctor didn't sound too concerned, but we'll know more after MRI. She said DD's back muscles are still not strong enough, so she needs more PT for that, and something about her hips not being flexible, so that causes more stress on her back. She recommended a physical therapist who has a gymnastics background (I wasn't happy with our last PT). I looked her up, it says on their website that she was a "level 10\elite" gymnast, so hopefully I can get an appointment with her, and she'll know how to help.

 

[aerials]

I would go to a sports ortho and try to get this resolved. A girl at dd gym had back pain very similar to your dd and they waited awhile with reg doc, modified gym, ice, etc... She finally went to an specialist and found out that she does indeed have a fracture and now has to sit out for 6 months.

 

[Faith]

Dr wants DD to continue to see the PT and take 2-3weeks off. Also, she's concerned about DDs hyperflexibility and the fact that she's so prone to injury. We've been referred to a geneticist.

This. Have to say that was my first thought, why is she getting injured/pain so often, especially at a relatively low level, and young enough that the overuse injuries shouldn't be kicking in yet if training correctly. Either this isn't the sport for her, or there's something else going on.

Hope you get some answers.

 

[Committed]

I've been really bugging her Dr. about an MRI or any other options, but she's holding firm. DD is supposed to go back in 2-3 weeks for a reevaluation before Dr will take any more action.


Question: DD has said her back has been hurting even more recently, even though she has done very little activity in the past 10 days (spent 1.5 hours conditioning at gym, once, in that time).

Is the extra pain a sign of anything?
Bad news?
Healing?
Just more free-time to dwell on it?

 

[Rockygym]

Is the pain waking her at night?

 

[Committed]

Is the pain waking her at night?

Not that I'm aware of.
Hurts most in the morning and at night.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

From what we've been told, any amount of pain, big or small, no back banding skills! Until she is absolutely pain free. Then slowly start adding the skills one at a time, and if any pain, don't do that skill for a couple of weeks, then try again.

this is correct ^^^

 

[AWOL]

We had two level 7s at our gym, both with the same side of back pain. One went to a sports doc with background it girls gymnastics. He recommended an x-Ray which did not show anything. He had her do an MRI which showed an inflamed area so did CT, found a stress fracture. He told her no exercise at all until the inflammation was gone and then had her go to a PT who was a former gymnast. She was off for 4 months and is now a level 9.
The other girl went to a different doctor, did not do any of the things the first girl and was only off gym for 4 weeks. She is now out of gymnastics completely and will have a permanent disability.
A back is not something to take chances with.

 

[IreneKa]

I've been really bugging her Dr. about an MRI or any other options, but she's holding firm. DD is supposed to go back in 2-3 weeks for a reevaluation before Dr will take any more action.


Question: DD has said her back has been hurting even more recently, even though she has done very little activity in the past 10 days (spent 1.5 hours conditioning at gym, once, in that time).

Is the extra pain a sign of anything?
Bad news?
Healing?
Just more free-time to dwell on it?

Those things take time to heal, so no improvement after 10 days is probably normal. But If it's getting worse, I would be worried.

 

[LizzieLac]

I would get to a sports med specialist or sport orthopedic. I just don't think regular MDs are tuned into the same things. Good luck - I hope it is nothing serious.

 

[shelovestoflip]

Wondering what the update is with the OPs daughter and IreneKa?

I agree with all, if dr won't order MRI, I'd push to find one who will. Having been down this road before, it's important to get it correctly diagnosed early, follow dr directions and PT and get back to the sport. otherwise your daughter will wind up in worse shape than when she started!

Let us know how things are going!

 

[IreneKa]

Wondering what the update is with the OPs daughter and IreneKa?



Let us know how things are going!

No update yet. She had MRI on Sunday, now waiting to see a doctor this Thursday. I'll post when I know more. Thanks for asking!