Injury affecting recruitment

Who (schools)is talking to you now?

Whomever they are call them and be upfront with them---tell them the full story

If they have a "real" interest they may ask you to see their doctor(s)

I would seriously question why the doctor expects a partial UCL ligament tear to heal in time for the spring season. This type of injury doesn't heal, it stays torn. I'd suggest you insist on a referral to an orthopedic surgeon with experience in this type of injury.

Summerball are you an MD?

quote:

Reply

My son is a lefty pitcher...he had trouble last spring with his elbow also...went to two top notch doctors who took mri which didnt show a specific tear but they both suggested tommy john surgery because of his pain and movement problem...we decided to get another opinion from a different doctor...who suggested doing therapy...we were two days away from surgery and tried the rehab and therapy...well it worked...my son has been blessed with several division 1 colleges trying to recruit him...he has recently decided on...university of missouri..the big 12...so, my advise is to be sure about your injury...and be sure about the advise that is given to you...we are in the chicago area...if you need a name of the doc we went to..i can advise ...good luck

quote:

Originally posted by summerballrules:
I would seriously question why the doctor expects a partial UCL ligament tear to heal in time for the spring season. This type of injury doesn't heal, it stays torn. I'd suggest you insist on a referral to an orthopedic surgeon with experience in this type of injury.

Good advice definitely get to good sports medicine Dr. for a second opinion.

thanks everyone, Im in good hands with the medical part.

My question is how can coaches who havent already seen me want me if they cant see me at their thanksgiving or christmas camps?
And, do I put in my letter to coaches that I'm currently injured?

I can back up what summerball is saying, as I agree with those comments. My own son recently had Tommy John surgery, in fact he just got his stitches out today after having the surgery two weeks ago. He had two different MRI's which didn't show anything at all. First, he had a "regular" MRI and then an arthrogram with contrast, which we were told is more definitive. Despite the fact that the MRI's showed nothing, three different orthopedic surgeons who evaluated him all felt that he had a torn UCL, and that trying to rehab it was a long shot, at best. They indicated that he might be able to get by for a year or two if he rehabbed, but that he'd likely injure it worse in the end. All three recommended surgery. When the surgeon that we elected to proceed with did the surgery, he told me afterward that son's UCL was torn fairly badly and that he could see where the injury had progressed over time, and that he'd been playing for some period of time with a partial tear but didn't know it since he wasn't having pain. He assured us that there was NO WAY that physical therapy would have helped him. My son first noticed a problem on a single throw down to second, his elbow "popped" and then had a bad burning sensation, and he hasn't caught in a single game since that night in January. Prior to that, he had no symptoms at all, even though the surgeon said he could tell where the tear had progressed over time and he'd been playing with it at less than 100%.

I'm not going to say that PT won't help others with a minor tear, although I doubt it will ultimately help in most cases with an actual tear; but I've spent enough time researching this injury and talking with surgeons and physical therapists over the last 8 months to say that I would have no hesitation in encouraging anyone with this injury to see an orthopedic surgeon with extensive UCL experienceinstead of taking the advice of a doctor who doesn't have significant experience with UCL injuries. This would include orthopedic surgeons without TJ experience.

One thing I learned from the surgeon who did my son's elbow was that a fairly significant number of players in the college and professional ranks, pitchers and catchers, probably have very minor tears in this ligament and don't even know it. Most don't have any symptoms and play just fine. For those with pain, I'm a beleiver that surgery is the way to go in the vast majority of cases if the player wants to return to playing. If they have too much pain to throw well but are finished up with their playing days, I don't know that I'd be suggesting getting cut on in those cases.

I'm not a doctor, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I still agree with Summerball.

is trhit the only one who can answer my question?
Im not asking for for help about what to do for my arm

Keep in mind that it is possible that they can operate and upon opening you up they find they need not do what they thought they needed to do and can perform a simpler procedure which can get you back on the field in a shorter time period.

Most of all you need qualified medical opinions not website advice --get at least three


One aspect regarding recruitment--if you are playing for a good travel team and the coach has been involved with you he can make some calls to the coaches at the proper time and talk to them

Southpaw,
I think TR has given the advice most would, be honest and have your coaches help you, see more than one doctor.

If you go play at a school and require surgery, and they find out that you had a previous documented condition, they may not cover it and may let you go. If you require surgery before you enter school, you just might find a coach willing to work with you based on your current skills. I have heard it is frustrating for coaches to spend time recruiting then finding out player needed surgery and he has to rehab him, but if he sees something special, willing to take the time, are honest, he may sign you. That would be his choice. JMO

I do beleive what 06 says is true. There are most likely tons of players (not just do not bother them at all or do not affect their game and do not show up on MRI.

Pain is the signal, if a player is pitching through pain, it's time to stop.

Sorry about that southpaw, I was just trying to respond to the question that backdash posed to summerball about his/her comments. I kind of got off an a tangent as this subject is very close to home right now.

I'd suggest, just like you've been advised by TR & TPM to rely on your current coach to help you with college coaches. College coaches are looking for people they can count on long term, and even though you don't hear it very often, they appreciate someone with integrity when they find them. If you're honest and up-front about your situation, maybe you'll have to red-shirt or gray-shirt for a year, but in the end that may happen regardless of the condition of your elbow. If you have a good summer coach or high school coach, he should have some connections with college coaches that he can talk with on your behalf. Remember, this game is played at the higher levels by the student-athletes who've persevered and stuck with it through adversity when others have quit or fallen by the wayside. This may be a bump in your road, but there is no reason to think that it should ultimately halt your progress.

At this point in time, I'd sit down with your current coach, probably with your parents included, and ask him for some help. I'd also get a referral to a qualified orthopedic surgeon, or even a couple of them, who can properly evaluate your condition and recommend the best course of treatment for your particular situation.