Is Parsons Damaged Goods?

Shoot him up, what could go wrong…?  :cool: :angel:

An L4/L5 facet joint sprain is an acute injury to the small joints in the lower back that connect the L4 and L5 vertebrae, causing localized low back pain, stiffness, and pain that can radiate into the buttocks and thighs. Symptoms include pain that worsens with extension or twisting, relief with forward bending, and limited range of motion. Treatment typically involves rest, ice/heat therapy, pain management, and physical therapy, with recovery taking several weeks.

Lol wouldn’t that be convenient.

If the diagnosis is correct, which isn't always clear, an epidural won't treat lumbar facet joints, because they are outside the epidural space. An epidural would be used for a disk problem but results are variable from patient to patient.

If it is facet joint sprain the treatment would be injection of both L4, L5 level, facet joints with corticosteroids and numbing medication. Results are variable and often dependent upon the precision in which the injection is placed. It can give almost total relief or no relief; and that relief is generally short term.

Back problems are difficult in a football player, but facet joint sprain is usually an easier problem to resolve than a disk problem.

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
If the diagnosis is correct, which isn't always clear, an epidural won't treat lumbar facet joints, because they are outside the epidural space. An epidural would be used for a disk problem but results are variable from patient to patient.

If it is facet joint sprain the treatment would be injection of both L4, L5 level, facet joints with corticosteroids and numbing medication. Results are variable and often dependent upon the precision in which the injection is placed. It can give almost total relief or no relief; and that relief is generally short term.

Back problems are difficult in a football player, but facet joint sprain is usually an easier problem to resolve than a disk problem.

Yes, I've read that it's a pretty easy thing to treat and manage. Still, over time, this could be an enduring problem for Parsons and the Packers. And what a shame that would be.  :P

I've had chronic lower back pain for 20 years. I once even tweaked my back brushing my teeth. No joke. When it happens, my walking stride is limited to 6-inch steps until it goes away 2 or 3 days later. I envy Parson's paycheck, but not his back issues.

MaroonBells wrote:
I've had chronic lower back pain for 20 years. I once even tweaked my back brushing my teeth. No joke. When it happens, my walking stride is limited to 6-inch steps until it goes away 2 or 3 days later. I envy Parson's paycheck, but not his back issues.

Do you have an injury that causes it?  I had it for years and discovered that I needed arch supports in my shoes.  Once I got those it  went away.

I know that I'll be watching the footage of his play/movements more closely this season, which was already true due to him joining Wisconsin Waste Management.

After the ridiculous payday he just got, he must know that every lineman, RB/FB, etc that he's facing this season is gonna try and put brutal blocks on him.

Stay tuned....

comet52 wrote:

Do you have an injury that causes it?  I had it for years and discovered that I needed arch supports in my shoes.  Once I got those it  went away.

Interesting. I'll look into arch supports. I injured my back playing football my freshman year of high school, but I don't think that's related. This specific pain didn't really start until I was in my 30s. The docs I've seen always just say it's age, "wear and tear" and there's really nothing they can do. After I hung up the beer league softball cleats and stopped playing sand volleyball about 5 years ago, the problem has become much less frequent.

MaroonBells wrote:

Interesting. I'll look into arch supports. I injured my back playing football my freshman year of high school, but I don't think that's related. This specific pain didn't really start until I was in my 30s. The docs I've seen always just say it's age, "wear and tear" and there's really nothing they can do. After I hung up the beer league softball cleats and stopped playing sand volleyball about 5 years ago, the problem has become much less frequent.

Desk work is the worst for my posture and back, but yeah, chiropractor sez things just get worn out.  My low back has been killing me as of late, but I think I have diagnosed my mattress as worn out.  It is worn out where I sleep.  If I move to the middle, my back is much better.  So time for a new mattress.

MaroonBells wrote:

Yes, I've read that it's a pretty easy thing to treat and manage. Still, over time, this could be an enduring problem for Parsons and the Packers. And what a shame that would be.  :P

I've had chronic lower back pain for 20 years. I once even tweaked my back brushing my teeth. No joke. When it happens, my walking stride is limited to 6-inch steps until it goes away 2 or 3 days later. I envy Parson's paycheck, but not his back issues.

If the diagnosis is correct it will be a short term problem and there will be no greater chance that it will recur once fully healed.

There are ligaments around the joint that hold the joint together. They connect bone to bone. When over stretched they can produce microtears resulting in inflammation and pain and require some time to heal.

A fine athlete like you, and the rest of us, would likely be treated with ice, rest, perhaps gentle stretching and time. A professional athlete will be given the shot with pain killer because there is little danger of making this injury significantly worse by playing.

The truth about this injury, and many low back injuries as well is, most of them will resolve within a few days to about 6 weeks no matter how they are treated. Time is the great healer in many of these cases.

From a personal perspective I have had low back pain problems off and on most of my adult life. I 'tweaked' my back bending over to tie my shoes one time. But now I'm going to have to careful about my posture when brushing my teeth!

MaroonBells wrote:

Interesting. I'll look into arch supports. I injured my back playing football my freshman year of high school, but I don't think that's related. This specific pain didn't really start until I was in my 30s. The docs I've seen always just say it's age, "wear and tear" and there's really nothing they can do. After I hung up the beer league softball cleats and stopped playing sand volleyball about 5 years ago, the problem has become much less frequent.

Superfeet brand, green trim-to-fits worked for me, fyi.  Way cheaper than custom orthotics and everyone I know who pays $$$ for those ends up unhappy for whatever reason.   Hope you find some relief!