Gronkowski could require back surgery

[flgreen]

Gronkowski could require back surgery

Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports2:55 p.m. EDT May 17, 2013

05-17-13-gronkowski-surgery

(Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights
Tight end recently underwent MRI on his back to check on disc issue dating back to last season
The issue is with a different disc than the one that needed to be shaved down via surgery in 2009
Gronkowski will see noted spine specialist Robert Watkins in near future

 

Just as the news was getting better on Rob Gronkowsi's arm, there's word his back is once again acting up and could require surgery as well.

 

The New England Patriots tight end recently underwent an MRI on his back to check on a disk issue he had dating back to last season, a person informed of Gronkowski's medical status told USA TODAY Sports.

 

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the Patriots' policy of not publicly detailing injuries, said the issue was with a different disk than the one that needed to be shaved down in surgery in 2009 and a final decision on whether surgery would be required had not been made. The person said Gronkowski would see spine specialist Robert Watkins in the near future, after next week's surgery to install a new plate into his forearm.

 

The person said the hope was, if surgery on his back was required, Gronkowski would be back within the same time frame as his recovery from the arm injury, which he initially suffered in November but has been prolonged because of an infection in the limb.

 

Gronkowski missed the entire 2009 season – his last year in college, at Arizona – with his first spinal issue. He was sidelined for the NFL scouting combine that February, which hurt his draft status and allowed the Patriots to select him in the second round.

 

Leading up to the draft, there was a report Gronkowski had spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine), but his agent Drew Rosenhaus denied that was the case. Gronkowski's latest issue appears to once again be a disk issue and not an indication of a career-threatening issue.

 

Still, it's another medical issue for Gronkowski during an offseason that's been quite the inactive one. Due to the arm issue, he hasn't been allowed to work out. So even when he's cleared to return to action, it could be awhile before he's able to get back to top form.

 

Gronkowski, 24, is signed through the 2019 season after agreeing to a six-year contract extension last summer. He received $18 million guaranteed for injury as part of the contract, which was worth a total of $54 million.

[spjets]

noodleback

[Blackout]

this guy is made of paper

[Ken Schroy]

He's done.

[pointman]

Damn. I feel bad for him on a human level, but laugh at the douche on a Jets Pats level. 24 and already more frail than a puckered butt in prison. 

[HessStation]

Dumb, goofy bastard probably did something stupid.

[jbone]

This is going to affect his dance parties.

[Blackout]

what are the odds he's not available week 1?

[New York Mick]

The Jets FO is tripping over eachother trying to sign him now.

[TehFalcon63]

I'm happy he's out, but not happy due to the reason he's out (injuries).

 

As someone who's football career was setback tremendously by injuries, I truly feel for him.

[HessStation]

I'm happy he's out, but not happy due to the reason he's out (injuries).

As someone who's football career was setback tremendously by injuries, I truly feel for him.

i could have gone pro too but i was too slow, undersized and lacked enough athletic ability.

[TehFalcon63]

i could have gone pro too but i was too slow, undersized and lacked enough athletic ability.

Well, I'm not saying that I'd go pro or anything, but I'd probably be playing Division 1 right now. My only shot now will be to play D1 my senior year after I transfer (trying to gain D2 film right now).

 

But I always sympathize with guys like Lattimore and Kris Jenkins. Derek Redmond is also another one from a different sport.

 

See, it's hard to explain, but when most guys play football, they're trying to hurt people, but not hurt people.

[flgreen]

i could have gone pro too but i was too slow, undersized and lacked enough athletic ability.

Heart breaker

[kay_gee]

I'm waiting for it to come out that he hurt himself doing his own stunts in a particularly adventurous (but tasteful with a wonderful plot) porno flick.

[Thor99]

Well, I'm not saying that I'd go pro or anything, but I'd probably be playing Division 1 right now. My only shot now will be to play D1 my senior year after I transfer (trying to gain D2 film right now).

 

Fly!!!!

[Sperm Edwards]

Well, I'm not saying that I'd go pro or anything, but I'd probably be playing Division 1 right now. My only shot now will be to play D1 my senior year after I transfer (trying to gain D2 film right now).

 

But I always sympathize with guys like Lattimore and Kris Jenkins. Derek Redmond is also another one from a different sport.

 

See, it's hard to explain, but when most guys play football, they're trying to hurt people, but not hurt people.

 

This is a back injury, though.  It's not like one of those pussy injuries everyone comes back from like a torn triceps or knee ligaments.  My experience has been that if people don't come back 100% from that it's usually due to laziness.

[TehFalcon63]

This is a back injury, though.  It's not like one of those pussy injuries everyone comes back from like a torn triceps or knee ligaments.  My experience has been that if people don't come back 100% from that it's usually due to laziness.

Not sure if serious...

 

You realize I had THREE of them, a microfracture, AND arthritis, right? The first one usually is easy to come back from, but after that? Hardest thing I've ever had to do (and I'm glad it happened).

[Sperm Edwards]

Not sure if serious...

 

You realize I had THREE of them, a microfracture, AND arthritis, right? The first one usually is easy to come back from, but after that? Hardest thing I've ever had to do (and I'm glad it happened).

 

It isn't that hard to come back from them.  You're young and probably haven't experienced real pain yet.  There's really no reason why the knee shouldn't heal even stronger than before it happened. 

[Blackout]

I could be a pro

 

 

in a pizza eating competition

[The Crusher]

I could be a pro

 

 

in a pizza eating competition

"come at me bro"

[TehFalcon63]

It isn't that hard to come back from them.  You're young and probably haven't experienced real pain yet.  There's really no reason why the knee shouldn't heal even stronger than before it happened. 

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but you shouldn't talk about what you (obviously) haven't experienced. As I said, the first is usually easy to come back from, but, after that, it is INCREDIBLY hard.

 

Also, I can assure you that I have experienced "real" pain. Every single time I bend my knee, there are about 5 cracks and an extreme pain where my scar is. I am barely even able to squat heavy anymore. If you've never experienced the "pop", I would say that YOU haven't experienced real pain.

 

Believe me, I used to think the same thing. I thought injuries were nothing because I came back from some sprained ankles. But, until you have multiple knee reconstructions and realize that your knee is never the same even after just one, you won't understand. NFL players make it look easy because they are already at such a high level physically that their loss in strength and speed still makes them stronger and faster than most people. They also have access to the best doctors and surgeons in the world.

 

Not trying to go on a rant, but knee tears are EXTREMELY painful.

[The Crusher]

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but you shouldn't talk about what you (obviously) haven't experienced. As I said, the first is usually easy to come back from, but, after that, it is INCREDIBLY hard.

 

Also, I can assure you that I have experienced "real" pain. Every single time I bend my knee, there are about 5 cracks and an extreme pain where my scar is. I am barely even able to squat heavy anymore. If you've never experienced the "pop", I would say that YOU haven't experienced real pain.

 

Believe me, I used to think the same thing. I thought injuries were nothing because I came back from some sprained ankles. But, until you have multiple knee reconstructions and realize that your knee is never the same even after just one, you won't understand.

My son recently had a 360 degree labrum tear repaired in his right shoulder. Hoping to get back for half his junior high school season. 5-6 month recovery. Before the surgery his shoulder would snap and pop and couldn't raise his arm past 45 degrees. Had his first day of rehab today. Four minor range of motion movements and he was dying. First time he moved it since the surgery 4 weeks ago. Took 7 anchors to attach it.

[TehFalcon63]

Also, it will never "heal", I have arthritis that tears my cartilage to shreds daily. All I can do is slow it down (though my arthritis is not something I share with the NCAA, for obvious reasons...).

[TehFalcon63]

My son recently had a 360 degree labrum tear repaired in his right shoulder. Hoping to get back for half his junior high school season. 5-6 month recovery. Before the surgery his shoulder would snap and pop and couldn't raise his arm past 45 degrees. Had his first day of rehab today. Four minor range of motion movements and he was dying. First time he moved it since the surgery 4 weeks ago. Took 7 anchors to attach it.

Was it dislocated as well? My brother happened to have a couple of labrum tears, and each time, his shoulder got dislocated. Took the stupid trainer like 30 minutes to pop it back in.

 

But labrum tears are basically like ACL tears for the shoulder. Has he started doing "the ladder" yet? I have spent a lot of time in physical therapy clinics and I can safely say that the hardest thing to do (and most important to re-learn) after labrum tears is putting your arm over your head. Internal and external rotation usually come easy, but he should really make sure to work on his overhead strength once he heals.

 

CalStrength, if your son watches YouTube, has a lot of good prehab for shoulders. Also, I'm assuming your son lifts?

 

If you look up CriticalBench on YouTube, they have some great videos showing you how to tuck your shoulders back and down on the bench press to really save your shoulders. I always neglected those types of techniques and prehab for my knees and I paid for it. It'll also help him use his antagonist muscles more and get better leverage so he can perform better at combines (not sure if SPARQ has bench press...didn't last time I went).

[The Crusher]

Was it dislocated as well? My brother happened to have a couple of labrum tears, and each time, his shoulder got dislocated. Took the stupid trainer like 30 minutes to pop it back in.

 

But labrum tears are basically like ACL tears for the shoulder. Has he started doing "the ladder" yet? I have spent a lot of time in physical therapy clinics and I can safely say that the hardest thing to do (and most important to re-learn) after labrum tears is putting your arm over your head. Internal and external rotation usually come easy, but he should really make sure to work on his overhead strength once he heals.

 

CalStrength, if your son watches YouTube, has a lot of good prehab for shoulders. Also, I'm assuming your son lifts?

 

If you look up CriticalBench on YouTube, they have some great videos showing you how to tuck your shoulder back and down on the bench press to really save your shoulders. I always neglected those types of techniques and prehab for my knees and I paid for it.

It dislocated and tore completely.

Today they just did a couple assisted raises using a stick allowing him to raise his right arm assisting it with the left. Then he did internal and external rotation from his back with a towel under the elbow. He wont be bench pressing for a very long time. That and dips will a couple of the last things he does. His tear was full thickness so it will be a couple months before he gets his arm over his head. At least. Wall walking and ladders are 6 weeks out.

[Thor99]

This is a back injury, though.  It's not like one of those pussy injuries everyone comes back from like a torn triceps or knee ligaments.  My experience has been that if people don't come back 100% from that it's usually due to laziness.

 

 

You don't understand.  The elevator didn't work.

[Larz]

how does an NFL player not get this MRI exam the day the season ends ?

 

what a selfish jackass

[TehFalcon63]

You don't understand.  The elevator didn't work.

LOL, I know that story sounded ridiculous, but it was true. But it's not like it matters, I now have a 3.0 in college, so it doesn't bother me.

[SenorGato]

Back surgery is why he fell to the second round in the first place. Sux. 

[Sperm Edwards]

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but you shouldn't talk about what you (obviously) haven't experienced. As I said, the first is usually easy to come back from, but, after that, it is INCREDIBLY hard.

 

Also, I can assure you that I have experienced "real" pain. Every single time I bend my knee, there are about 5 cracks and an extreme pain where my scar is. I am barely even able to squat heavy anymore. If you've never experienced the "pop", I would say that YOU haven't experienced real pain.

 

Believe me, I used to think the same thing. I thought injuries were nothing because I came back from some sprained ankles. But, until you have multiple knee reconstructions and realize that your knee is never the same even after just one, you won't understand. NFL players make it look easy because they are already at such a high level physically that their loss in strength and speed still makes them stronger and faster than most people. They also have access to the best doctors and surgeons in the world.

 

Not trying to go on a rant, but knee tears are EXTREMELY painful.

 

[sirlancemehlot]

Yeah you can't generalize these things. I know guys who've had back surgery and have had nightmares since. One dude needs a cane. I had the same surgery three years ago and I've never felt better. I went from dragging a leg and having fire shoot down my ass through my leg into my heel, to surgery, to getting up off he stretcher and walking like I did as a teenager. I have little pain and full range of motion, can jog and lift and sit in car through a 12 hr shift with no issues. These injuries are unique and the treatments have varying effects.

[Sperm Edwards]

Yeah you can't generalize these things. I know guys who've had back surgery and have had nightmares since. One dude needs a cane. I had the same surgery three years ago and I've never felt better. I went from dragging a leg and having fire shoot down my ass through my leg into my heel, to surgery, to getting up off he stretcher and walking like I did as a teenager. I have little pain and full range of motion, can jog and lift and sit in car through a 12 hr shift with no issues. These injuries are unique and the treatments have varying effects.

 

Back pain is the f***ing worst.

[sirlancemehlot]

Picking on the new guy, Spermy? When I'm feeling cranky, I like to sing a happy song. Sing Spermy. Sing like a bird. Try something from the Monkees. Or " Afternoon Delight". You can't go wrong with that one.

[sirlancemehlot]

Back pain is the f***ing worst.

For real. I couldn't even take pain meds because of work policy. Didn't sleep for weeks. That's the kind of pain that makes you think of diving off a bridge. Surgery was the only way.

[Sperm Edwards]

For real. I couldn't even take pain meds because of work policy. Didn't sleep for weeks. That's the kind of pain that makes you think of diving off a bridge. Surgery was the only way.

 

It's painful to sit.  It's painful if you don't sit.  Laying down hurts.  It hurts if you don't lay down.  F***ing breathing is painful torture with back problems.  And he's comparing that to a boo-boo on his knee? Please.