What's the deal with this injury? I have an unfortunate intimate knowledge of all kinds of back problems. Something that lingers this long and is this debilitating sounds like he needs another MRI. Finding back problems is an inexact science, no matter what a radiologist will tell you. It's real easy to miss something. But I think they need to get this guy back in and look at multiple possibilities:
- Compressed disc (and you really need do this from multiple positions, because discs move around all the time)
- Torn disc. Maybe the leak was so small they didn't see it the last time, but the fluid, if allowed to leak long enough, should show up by now. This can cause other problems. The fluid that leaks from the disc is something akin to rattlesnake venom when it hits the nerves. It can cause all kinds of numbness, tingling, pain wherever it flows.
- Gall stones. This diagnosis is one that's missed the most because the gall bladder isn't anywhere near where the pain is. But it's a fairly common cause of back problems. Doctors often wait for signs of inflammation before looking there, but it doesn't always have to be present for gall stones to be a problem.
- Possible adhesions or lesions from any previous surgeries. I obviously don't know Gronk's medical history, but this is another possibility. Unfortunately it usually requires some fairly invasive surgery to find these.
I just think it's awful that the kid is missing the season on what's become a real mystery. Obviously the problem isn't what they thought it was because they seem genuinely surprised he's not ready to play yet. They've got some of the best equipment you can find and (IIRC) a 24-hour on-call radiology department. Somebody get on it so maybe they can get this kid on the field already.
- Compressed disc (and you really need do this from multiple positions, because discs move around all the time)
- Torn disc. Maybe the leak was so small they didn't see it the last time, but the fluid, if allowed to leak long enough, should show up by now. This can cause other problems. The fluid that leaks from the disc is something akin to rattlesnake venom when it hits the nerves. It can cause all kinds of numbness, tingling, pain wherever it flows.
- Gall stones. This diagnosis is one that's missed the most because the gall bladder isn't anywhere near where the pain is. But it's a fairly common cause of back problems. Doctors often wait for signs of inflammation before looking there, but it doesn't always have to be present for gall stones to be a problem.
- Possible adhesions or lesions from any previous surgeries. I obviously don't know Gronk's medical history, but this is another possibility. Unfortunately it usually requires some fairly invasive surgery to find these.
I just think it's awful that the kid is missing the season on what's become a real mystery. Obviously the problem isn't what they thought it was because they seem genuinely surprised he's not ready to play yet. They've got some of the best equipment you can find and (IIRC) a 24-hour on-call radiology department. Somebody get on it so maybe they can get this kid on the field already.
At best a 5th rounder? We're talking about a guy who would have probably been a late 1st, early 2nd rounder if healthy for the year. Barring a catastrophic injury, I'd bet a healthy sum of money that he'd go before the 5th.
