@4arms posted:Thanks Xfactor,
it seems as though the overwhelming amount of cases regardless of severity tend to be treated with a non-surgical approach unless it progresses where it affects discs and nerves. I think where I’m struggling is the unknown of how a college program will take handling a player with a condition that is manageable but might need to restrict certain work loads depending on flare ups. This seems to be a very frustrating injury on all levels of play and while I want to handle it in the most efficient way possible I’m also not crazy about the idea of someone potentially recommending surgery to fix it if it doesn’t heal naturally being he’s only 16. I know most of this is more appropriate for medical professionals but it definitely helps hearing positive stories on athletes who managed this successfully and went on the play for many years.
Surgery doesn't need to happen. However, there are procedures that need to be followed. Mainly PT to strengthen the muscles of the back to better support the spine. The two little bones that help support the vertebrae in my son's back have broken and will never heal. The vertebrae have also moved slightly, which freaked me out and I made sure the chiropractor knew it. He was like "your elbow isn't held together by bone, only muscle and it doesn't come apart". Good point, and all that didn't stop a P5 school from giving him a scholarship.
I'm going to PM you with the name of the chiropractor who worked with my son. When everyone else told the kid sucks to be you, deal with it, this man told him he'd fix him and did. I know he'd be glad to help.