Fingers crossed....

Really sorry to hear this.  Good luck to your son and to you. 

Sorry to hear that, we are also in the mode of obtaining a 2nd opinion.

LHD,

I think the guidance of the doctor to not use the cortisone is solid.  A few years back, our son ended up with similar news that yours just received.  However, the news didn't get communicated until after 2 shots, which did nothing and which, with some research, might have been counterproductive.

If you have the ability, I would encourage trying to get a 2nd opinion from someone like  Dr Andrews.  This is a really important medical issue for your son, from a baseball perspective. If he needs surgery, he needs it from the best.  Unfortunately for our son, Dr. Andrews did the second surgery after the MLB "team doctor" did not not get the job done with the first surgery.

Best of luck to your son and you.  Your burning up the phone and asking questions and getting the best medical opinion is absolutely what your son needs right now.

Good luck!  Although the news was bad, I hope the result turns out good...

In light of the situation I do appreciate the Dr's direct to the point view that a shot and exercise will not help.  As has been explained to me so far is that it is necessary to actually re-attach a portion of the Larum.  The cortisone and exercise will not help because this is not a self-healing type of injury.  An MLB team surgeon will be looking at the MRI very shortly.  But, I am thinking that there is not going to be a different outcome as far as the MRI and the tear goes, that is very apparent. It looks like what it may come down to is WHO does the surgery, but all options will be explored first.  LH just got to practice and is letting the HC know  

Sorry to hear that.  Tough day for sure.  We (our HS program) have a senior and incoming freshman dealing with labrum tears.  I was afraid that might be what you were dealing with when I saw your OP.  The two in the program have different types and quite different recovery times. 

The good news...

*Incredible that you've been able to speed up the diagnosis steps as much as you have - this takes time directly off the end target date.

*Sounds like you are already dealing with a well-qualified group of docs.

*Every kid I've seen go through such an injury comes out a more focused, disciplined and knowledgeable athlete in regards to workouts (coming out of regimented PT).

Best wishes headed your way!

 

BTW, our senior had the more serious version with the longer recovery timeline.  He was hurt toward the end of last HS season and it was questionable as to whether he would be able to make it back for his senior season.  He is out throwing and hitting and on schedule to be back with us in time for opening day.  Strict adherence to doc and PT instructions was key.  The first few months were very tough on him but he was able to spend time getting some of his other life/school objectives in order.

 

That is hard news.  Good luck. 

 

BTW ASMI.org website is a good resource. Dr. Fleisig is well-connected and is happy to recommend ASMI -trained docs.

I am sorry to hear the news but when you mentioned an internal impingement I figured that it was a tear.

At this point, its not about repair but WHO does the repair.

I would definetly get a second opinion on having any surgery when it comes to the labrum.  Then you need to find out whoever does the surgery what is the success rate on the type of surgery needed for PITCHERS.

IMO, team surgeons are not always the best. Some people think because MLB is attached they are the best of the best. Some are, some are not. They are team surgeons because they gave the team a reasonable fee structure.  Always keep that in the back of your mind!

 

lefthookdad - I am sorry to hear this news as well.  My thoughts and prayers are with the young man.

 

Sorry as well to hear about the injury.  I had Labrum repair and capsule tightening repair in the spring, but I am an old guy.  Want to echo getting 2nd opinion and make sure you understand everything about this situation/rehab before proceeding.

Lefthookdad...

First of all I am sorry to hear about your boy, and I know how you feel because I have gone through the same thing and you wish it was you rather than your son. I am sure that all in the forum feel so bad to hear about this injury.

 

My son in the summer of 2013 (late August in East Cobb) in one game of the tournament while warming up, could not throw and his shoulder hurt. We shut him down and hoped for just an inflammation, we did the O'Brien's test and did not point to labrum and surrounding area. 

 

The pain was there only when his motion was throwing, but at the end of the throw, not during the throw. We took him to an orthopedist and he thought he was inflamed and rest. This did not help and we ended up getting an MRI and discovered he had a 

 SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior). 

 

OK, now the original MD guy wanted to repair it by doing a arthroscopic debridement or cleaning-up  of the tear in the labrum. This obviously was surgery and we really did not want it if at all possible...recoup time is 6-9 months.

 

Took my son to a 'baseball' sports medicine guy who treats college baseball players as well as an MLB team players. He did the standard tests, saw the MRI, told me that most baseball players (his words) soon or later have some kind of tear, and that most players he has seen have it. My son's slap is a type 1 which is a fraying with no detachment of the biceps from the glenoid socket (type 2 the biceps is separated from the glenoid). He did not recommend surgery and put my son through 24 therapy sessions (with a guy that knew what to do), and after all the hard therapy, he started his throwing program. The therapy cured him. Like the baseball dr said, and now all the surrounding muscles and tendons are now working in tandem together in the shoulder. So players can live with a tear if properly treated. 

 

My son is at 100%, while he is not a pitcher (SS) his throwing is even stronger and throws 90 from the outfield, no pain whatsoever. He is even considered a prospect by MLB scouts. There is no pain in the shoulder; he continues his weight program and always does his therapy exercises before lifting in the gym. My son is a senior in HS and is going to a play at a fantastic school's D1 baseball program. 

 

My point is...try to get a guy that knows 'baseball medicine', it may be that your son also has a type 1 and therapy 'will' bring him back. Get that second opinion and ask what about therapy. This is by no means an end. Also, a cortisone shot is only to reduce inflammation (thus the pain caused by it) but will basically not do anything to repair a slap tear.

 

Best to your son and hope he comes back soon.

  

 

Thanks to all.  A second sports Ortho Surgeon reviewed the MRI & report and concurs with the suggestion of surgery.  It appears that there it is a "moderate tear", and it has detached and peeled up and re-attachment is necessary.  It was stated that cortisone and rehab would/could be an outside consideration, IF he was not a pitcher, but because he is, both conclude surgery is his best option.

Have you decided who will do the surgery, and done your due diligence on what exactly the procedure will be and how long is the rehab and what it all entails?

Prayers to your son and your family. I was hoping for better outcome but sounds like he is going to be in the best hands.  Good luck, keep us informed.

From one LHP dad to another, good luck with the procedure.  I know he'll be back on the bump in no time. 

Really sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis.  I'm sure there are a lot of questions all around.  When things like this happen, people seek information.  I found alot of information & answers on this board, people I know that have been through it and at http://asmiforum.proboards.com/.  Best of luck to your son.

While we all have heard of Dr. Andrews and the wonders of his shoulder/elbow repair, are there any well known doctors of his caliber for hip labral tear due to FAI (impingement)? Or is hip repair less, um, tedious (can't find a good word here) in some way?  

Update:  LH had surgery this past Monday.  Doc said everything went as well as possibly could.  Cleaned up the Cuff and anchored the labrum.  LH at home in recovery mode hooked up to  a Game Ready ice machine.  Taking all in stride with minimal pain and discomfort....I remember being in bad pain when I had my rotator operated on, he is a trooper!  Tuesday, the authorization to get the MRI done came in from the insurance company, letting us know we could schedule it as of 1/30, ...lmao...gotta love already being in recovery stage and getting that letter!

 

 

Lefthook started re-hab two weeks ago.  I finally found the surgery photo's and thought I'd share for for those that are interested in the Labrum injury and repair.

 

In the first photo it shows the separation from the larbrum from the bone....the probe should not be able to go between the two.

 

The next two photo's are of the two anchors re-attaching the labrum.

 

Pretty cool stuff!  

Glad everything went well. My son's will have been done one year the 16th of this month. Neat pictures! We were able to watch my son's operation at Andrews thru a large window and also on a large screen TV you could watch what was happening inside the shoulder! As a parent it felt weird watching someone working inside your child! Hope everything goes well for your son.

How many out there have sons in HS who have had shoulder surgery?

One of my sons teammates this season, also a freshman, had two surgery's in HS.  Tore his labrum twice.....but, it was his left shoulder.  He is a power pull hitter

My son had shoulder surgery in high school for a separated shoulder. When the surgeon got inside he said there was a lot of wear and tear from being a physical three sport athlete. He said the wear indicated the shoulder was loose before his separation. He said he would probably throw harder with his shoulder tightened up. He did throw harder.

Just reading this thread. Wanted to reply to the hip impungement question although late in response. Impingement in general in shoulder or hip has to be dealt with or a tear will occur. Impingement causes constant friction between labrum and bone in shoulder and hip.

For my son and I who both had hip impingementsvand tirn labrums surgery was a must. My labrum was coming off the bone as well. Required staples. Both my son and I had awful pain with our torn labrums. Both of us gas surgery and surgeons reattached labrums but also reshaped hip so that it wasnt impinged.

There are excellent dr out there who specialize un hip impingement and the hip scope. I would want the dr to have a minimum of over a hundred scopes before I would let him operate. Jason Snibbey from LA is awesome. There are others.

Took my son six months to get back on the field after surgery. Took me longer tk be up and really walking without limo but Im older and have ither issues. Both of us feel so much better. Both of us were in a lot of pain.

Here is one. I actually used my phone to film the surgery via the big screen TV that we were using to see what was happening inside the shoulder. The Andrews Institute is amazing!

 

How many anchors LH? My son had 5 and I know a girl who has 11 anchors put in!

 

fanofgame,

Thanks for the hip info since I was the one that requested it.  I may PM you closer to surgery date, if you don't mind.  Surgery date is not on the books yet...waiting until the season is over.  Definite tear per MRI  in one hip, and the other is now bothering him.  He is playing through it.  He is going to miss summer ball, but it beats missing a season.

Yes PM me. Good chance with hips he has bilateral hip impingements if its genetic.

UPDATE:

 

Son starting throwing about a month or so ago. Following his throwing program he progressed through the stages and then to flat grounds.  He started off the mound, 15 pitches 50% three weeks ago.  Got a text today saying he started at 75%...and felt great!  Things are looking good for a 100% recovery and ready by Spring...YIPPEEE

Son with 2 hip labral surgeries in June and July started running about 2 weeks ago and will start hitting next week.  

Great to hear for both of your sons that procedures seem to have gone well, hardest part is behind them and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Continued best wishes.

That's great news!  Glad to hear!

Lefthook and keewart, I am happy for both your guys. I pray for a full and speedy recovery. I know all too well that the injury bug can be a pain in the bottom. Wishing for a healthy spring.

Keewart...good to hear!

 

Thanks guys....it's definitely a true test of how bad he, or anyone, wants to keep playing.  It's just a good feeling to see them work thru it a forge on