It's good to hear from the players and parents who are going through this process. Hearing about their progress and success helps take away a little of the stress of not knowing.
Since starting this thread I've gotten quite a few e-mails and phone calls from players and parents of players who have had this surgery. Between those and all the posts it seems like the best advice is to not rush anything and follow your rehab to the letter. To make sure that you give your arm plenty of time to heal properly. This is advice that we plan to adhere to.
Also it seems that while you are giving your arm time to heal,it is very important that you work to strengthen the rest of your body. Many people have stressed that with the time off it gives you plenty of time to work on your core and legs. The harder you work on the rest of your body gives you the best chance of coming back stronger then you were before your injury.
My son started a program on the stationary bike and also started to work his legs today. He is 4 wks post surgery as of tomorrow and like many others didn't have much pain. They removed his stiches after first week. He also had the tendon taken from his wrist and they also moved the nerve in his elbow.
bballhp07
My son also never stops talking about picking up a ball and getting to throw. Just be patient and good things will happen.
Would also really like players to update their progress every month so we can follow each others progress. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to share their info and also wish everyone the best of luck during their rehab.
Thanks Banitsbb
Question about recruiting after TJ. My son (RHP '08) hopes to be able to throw competively by Jan. '08 if his rehab goes smoothly as scheduled. When and how should he market himself to potential colleges?? Spring baseball will be starting about the time he will be ready. I know college coaches will be busy and camps will be few during Jan/Feb months. Will he have to depend on high school ball to be recruited?? Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
First get healthy. Don't rush it. If you have to go the JUCO route for a year, there are much worst things in the world. One of them is to rush back and reinjure the arm. Plus most of the recruiting is done by then.
My son's pitching coach did an interview once on rehabbing the many TJS players he's had to deal with.
For pitchers, sometimes control is the last thing to comeback, making it more frustrating.
One needs to make sure, if given an opportunity, that it is with a pitching coach that is patient and will be able to assist in getting over the frustration that occurs while waiting for all of your stuff to get back to normal. That may become a very important factor in decideing upon where to play or who sees you play.
Piratefan, your son could commit to a JUCO program and continue to play next summer and still be given an opportunity before fall classes begin at a D1, D2, etc.
For pitchers, sometimes control is the last thing to comeback, making it more frustrating.
One needs to make sure, if given an opportunity, that it is with a pitching coach that is patient and will be able to assist in getting over the frustration that occurs while waiting for all of your stuff to get back to normal. That may become a very important factor in decideing upon where to play or who sees you play.
Piratefan, your son could commit to a JUCO program and continue to play next summer and still be given an opportunity before fall classes begin at a D1, D2, etc.
quote:Piratefan, your son could commit to a JUCO program and continue to play next summer and still be given an opportunity before fall classes begin at a D1, D2, etc.
Thanks Tiger Paw Mom & deldad for your advice! One question about commiting to JUCO then trying to get a D1, D2 interested before Fall '08. If my son commits to a JUCO let's say during spring, will D1 coaches stop recruiting him?
quote:Originally posted by piratefan:
Thanks Tiger Paw Mom & deldad for your advice! One question about commiting to JUCO then trying to get a D1, D2 interested before Fall '08. If my son commits to a JUCO let's say during spring, will D1 coaches stop recruiting him?
No.
I think you need to just sit back and relax and see how your son's season goes, then make decisions based upon his progress.
Everything will work out.
I have enjoyed this thread immensley. My son suffered a relatively "mild" elbow injury attributed to overuse. Did anyone's son experience any reluctance/uncertainty to begin throwing?
hitdapill
When my son first hurt his arm he was told to rest and then come back at his own pace. When he started to throw he just took it one step at a time. The more you throw the more comfortable you will get, just make sure you listen to your arm.
You will always worry untill you can really let it rip with no pain. Has your son seen a doctor for his elbow? Even though my son was close to his previous velosity it still didn't feel right. We ended up finding out that his ucl was torn. Make sure that there is no damage to his elbow before you proceed. Good luck to your son and let us know how he does.
When my son first hurt his arm he was told to rest and then come back at his own pace. When he started to throw he just took it one step at a time. The more you throw the more comfortable you will get, just make sure you listen to your arm.
You will always worry untill you can really let it rip with no pain. Has your son seen a doctor for his elbow? Even though my son was close to his previous velosity it still didn't feel right. We ended up finding out that his ucl was torn. Make sure that there is no damage to his elbow before you proceed. Good luck to your son and let us know how he does.
i'm not one to talk about my son's on here, but i'm going to.i hope i don't bore you.this is our own success story.not a really great one but i'll share in hopes it may help someone.
my son is a lhp,he had elbow pain pitching for a local juco.he was originally diagnosed with a "tired arm". so he shut it down for about 6 weeks.his juco made it to the ws and he could only hit.still felt pain when he threw hard. was still drafted in 06 not a blue chip draft pick,but he still couldn't throw hard without pain. they gave him an mra and discovered a ucl tear. after that they released him. he had surgery on 7/20 in birmingham. the toughest part was the rehabing alone. by that i mean not belonging to a team. he was not interested in more school,allthough he had the chances but wasn't a very good student.so he stayed home and worked the program that dr Wilk gave him.
in my opinion you need to be self motivated through the rehab process.and have a good support group helping to keep things on a positive note.it can feel like there is no end to the process at times. and for my son, the questions.can i make it back? make it back where?
they need to keep busy,i think school and other baseball activitys can accomplish that part. you can work,play golf, hit a baseball. things to occupy the mind.
once he was allowed to throw he was following the program but very hesitant to air it out,as most are. he got to a point at about 10 months he was throwing about at 95%, but no curves or sliders. and the control or the feel for the ball was not there yet.he played in a mens league for a few games in july,first time to a live hitter.pitched about 6 innings or so,over about 5 games. a few curves ,arm felt good still no real feel for the ball.all in all felt very good,but still not 100% confidence in his pitching.the elbow was fine the shoulder was fine. physically great ,just not same feel.
in one of these games a scout was watching, very unusual in a mens league game. talked to him after the game and expressed interest in him. i think that was the boost in the confidence he needed. long story short after 1 yr 2 weeks he signed with the team that drafted him last year. as you all know 99% of tjs successful.and people comeback every day,but this is our first comeback. and most make it back to be the same or better than they were.they need to remember the goal whatever it may be.to keep their eye's on the prize.
but it isn't all just physical rehab or change. it can be emotional as well,they start to doubt themselves. as a friend used to say,let yourself be good.
my son is a lhp,he had elbow pain pitching for a local juco.he was originally diagnosed with a "tired arm". so he shut it down for about 6 weeks.his juco made it to the ws and he could only hit.still felt pain when he threw hard. was still drafted in 06 not a blue chip draft pick,but he still couldn't throw hard without pain. they gave him an mra and discovered a ucl tear. after that they released him. he had surgery on 7/20 in birmingham. the toughest part was the rehabing alone. by that i mean not belonging to a team. he was not interested in more school,allthough he had the chances but wasn't a very good student.so he stayed home and worked the program that dr Wilk gave him.
in my opinion you need to be self motivated through the rehab process.and have a good support group helping to keep things on a positive note.it can feel like there is no end to the process at times. and for my son, the questions.can i make it back? make it back where?
they need to keep busy,i think school and other baseball activitys can accomplish that part. you can work,play golf, hit a baseball. things to occupy the mind.
once he was allowed to throw he was following the program but very hesitant to air it out,as most are. he got to a point at about 10 months he was throwing about at 95%, but no curves or sliders. and the control or the feel for the ball was not there yet.he played in a mens league for a few games in july,first time to a live hitter.pitched about 6 innings or so,over about 5 games. a few curves ,arm felt good still no real feel for the ball.all in all felt very good,but still not 100% confidence in his pitching.the elbow was fine the shoulder was fine. physically great ,just not same feel.
in one of these games a scout was watching, very unusual in a mens league game. talked to him after the game and expressed interest in him. i think that was the boost in the confidence he needed. long story short after 1 yr 2 weeks he signed with the team that drafted him last year. as you all know 99% of tjs successful.and people comeback every day,but this is our first comeback. and most make it back to be the same or better than they were.they need to remember the goal whatever it may be.to keep their eye's on the prize.
but it isn't all just physical rehab or change. it can be emotional as well,they start to doubt themselves. as a friend used to say,let yourself be good.
20dad,
I kind of figured this would turn out ok. Congrats and a WI fan wishing him the best.
I kind of figured this would turn out ok. Congrats and a WI fan wishing him the best.
Good luck to all who have experienced any pain or surgeries.......RZ......I've been following Ryan and am very happy about his summer!!
Long story short.....my son had a freak labrum tear that happened in his car in November 2005 (junior year of college).....labrum surgery in December 2005, redshirt in 2006......
First game in 2007, 7 shutout innings against New Mexico.....Friday starter most of the season, shoulder felt great, elbow not so great.....MRI with two weeks left in season, 50% tear of UCL.....doc says TJ surgery either after the season (2 weeks away) or when it tears all the way......
Pitched last two weekends pretty well against Creighton and Wichita State.....surgery one week later in St. Louis......lots of rehab this summer and conditioning and helping to coach a summer team......now back at school with trainers/team, will throw for first time in 4-5 weeks.....
Not only is the physical work important, but as others have mentioned, the mental approach is vital.....a positive mental attitude makes the rehab easier to spend time and energy on.....
Very much like the rest of life......again, best wishes to all of you!!
Long story short.....my son had a freak labrum tear that happened in his car in November 2005 (junior year of college).....labrum surgery in December 2005, redshirt in 2006......
First game in 2007, 7 shutout innings against New Mexico.....Friday starter most of the season, shoulder felt great, elbow not so great.....MRI with two weeks left in season, 50% tear of UCL.....doc says TJ surgery either after the season (2 weeks away) or when it tears all the way......
Pitched last two weekends pretty well against Creighton and Wichita State.....surgery one week later in St. Louis......lots of rehab this summer and conditioning and helping to coach a summer team......now back at school with trainers/team, will throw for first time in 4-5 weeks.....
Not only is the physical work important, but as others have mentioned, the mental approach is vital.....a positive mental attitude makes the rehab easier to spend time and energy on.....
Very much like the rest of life......again, best wishes to all of you!!
quote:this is our own success story.not a really great one but i'll share in hopes it may help someone.
20dad,
To me this is an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing your son's success and good luck the rest of the way.
Grateful....best of luck to your son. My son's TJ injury I firmly believe was the end result of a labrum injury the previous year. Actually, that was pretty much confirmed by Dr. Andrews in Birmingham also. He said the vast majority of TJ's he sees are the end results of a shoulder injury. One of the reasons why strengthening the shoulder is such an integral part of the TJ rehab protocal.
Great stuff guys...we appreciate all the insight and advice. We are slowly resuming a throwing program for the fall season. Doctor gave him the green light,now it's up to him to start throwing with moderation.
these are great words of advice, my son will have surgery this Fri. (Sep 7th) with Dr. Andrews. My son is a senior in high school, so we already know that he will not be pitching or playing a position this year. The first Dr. that we spoke to said he could possibly hit, but I want something definite. I'm sure Dr. Andrews will let us know something Fri. just didn't know if somebody else had already been thru this.
dawgduck:
Good luck! Hey! That rhymes!
I'm sure everything will be just fine, but I'm gonna tuck your son into my prayers just in case!
Good luck! Hey! That rhymes!
I'm sure everything will be just fine, but I'm gonna tuck your son into my prayers just in case!
play baseball, you have a PM. Thanks for the prayers.
Grateful, you have a PM
quote:my son will have surgery this Fri. (Sep 7th) with Dr. Andrews
Dawgduck,
Your son is in good hands with Dr. Andrews! He did my son's surgery last March. We were very impressed with Dr. Andrew's and his staff. Your son is in our prayers!
dawgduck,
Good luck and you're in good hands. You have a pm.
Good luck and you're in good hands. You have a pm.