Injuries & Ills: 2013-14

[Olympia]

It isn't just the athletes pushing themselves.....as many of the skaters are in their teens. The coaches are setting up the training schedule, the periodization cycles,etc. There is a greater need for research into how many repetitions are really needed ESP once a skill is learned. And, then the repetitions of jumps needs to be monitored each day. CoP has made greater demands on the skaters bodies......and it is showing up with the long list of injuries, particularly the last few seasons.

It is possible that although coaches have adapted to the logistical demands of the new skating system (such as how to lay out a program), they haven't really made a study of how those demands affect the bodies of skaters. That's a physiological study that would take more resources (financial and scientific) than some local coach can summon up. Maybe this is something that has to be studied at the federation level and then disseminated out to coaches? There might be some sort of defensive training program that skaters could be taught.

 

[Nigel]

It is possible that although coaches have adapted to the logistical demands of the new skating system (such as how to lay out a program), they haven't really made a study of how those demands affect the bodies of skaters. That's a physiological study that would take more resources (financial and scientific) than some local coach can summon up. Maybe this is something that has to be studied at the federation level and then disseminated out to coaches? There might be some sort of defensive training program that skaters could be taught.

Wouldn't this be under the jurisdiction of the group that Mitch Moyer oversees for USFS, Athlete High Performance group?

 

[LRK]

Thanks everybody for such an interesting discussion! I had nothing to contribute to it, but you've given me much to think about - there are, indeed, so many questions to ponder, while answers are not easy to come by.

Here is an article about Jeremy Abbott, in which his recent back issues are also talked about:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130114&content_id=40960846&vkey=ice_news

 

[LRK]

Sigh... everyone's seen this, of course:

Pechalat/Bourzat withdraw from Euros
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?39717-Pechalat-Bourzat-withdraw-from-Europeans

Bazarova/Larionov withdraw from Euros
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?39748-Bazarova-Larionov-Withdraw-from-Euros

I think I saw some mention of at least another withdrawal on the Euros threads due to injury, but cannot now recall - does anyone have any info on that? Also, other withdrawals/injuries?

Scrolling down Blazing Blades, I saw an article linked from Unseen Skaters Online that Vanessa Lam has withdrawn from US Nationals due to injury. Not knowing if it is a permissable link, I'm not including it, but thought it worth a mention. (I'm a little hazy on what links are permissable and not, so I thought best to err on the side of caution.)

 

[LRK]

Well, as is news to no one, I'm sure, Plushenko has withdrawn from Europeans' due to injury.

From Tatjana Flade's article:

http://www.goldenskate.com/2013/01/amodio-leads-men-at-2013-europeans/

"Plushenko had decided to come to Zagreb only on Friday as he is still battling a back injury. His condition had not improved since Russian Nationals and it was obvious in practice that he was not at a 100 percent.
-----------
Right after the end of the short program Plushenko withdrew as he suffered an aggravation of his chronic back condition."

From this article:

http://www.team-russia2014.ru/article/figur/8121.html

and courtesy of Google translate:

"We have decided to withdraw from the European Championship - said Evgeny Plushenko. - The reason - all the same injury, for which I was unable to properly prepare for the tournament. And now rolling short program showed, unfortunately, with existing health problems, I can not normally ride in the first place - a qualitatively perform jumps. Now - to the doctor for a checkup. I think I will go to Germany. We are now just discussing this issue. Thanks to everyone who supports me, who for me is going through. See you later! "

Any additional info gratefully received.

 

[LRK]

Let's talk has shared some recent Plushenko developments in this post:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...For-This-Sport&p=706041&viewfull=1#post706041

"Today piter.tv aired a video interview with Mishin. He said that a couple of days later Plu will be operated in Israel where he will get an artificial disk replacement in the spine. He said Evgeni can't train properly with his current back condition, so they decided to go though the surgery. He will keep training for Sochi after reabilitation:
http://piter.tv/event/Mishin_o_Plyuschenko/

Also relevant here is this recent thread/article:

Czisny undergoes successful hip surgery
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?39874-Czisny-undergoes-successful-hip-surgery

Wishing her a speedy, full and more lasting recovery! It must have been so disheartening to be on one's way back, only for this injury to happen. This really illustrates why the skaters deserve our respect for their courage and perseverance.

Also, is there more news about other skaters? There are so many threads, and only so much time to follow them all so if You - yes, I mean You! - have any info on the injury/recovery of any skater - particularly those who have not "merited" a thread - or two - of their own - please, do share!

 

[LRK]

And thanks to Seniorita for posting the link to this English Plushenko article:

http://en.rsport.ru/other_sports/20130130/642475819.html

I will only add a twitter message from Plushenko to his fans (also posted elsewhere by plushyfan):

"I'm not discouraged! I'm going to treat my back and proceed to training from March 1!!
Thanks to all my fans - friends! We will have more fight!!! "

 

[plushyfan]

It's Plushy's surgery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5hQlrbKNdU&feature=youtu.be

Too scary!!!

 

[Nigel]

Thanks everybody for such an interesting discussion! I had nothing to contribute to it, but you've given me much to think about - there are, indeed, so many questions to ponder, while answers are not easy to come by.

Here is an article about Jeremy Abbott, in which his recent back issues are also talked about:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130114&content_id=40960846&vkey=ice_news

So, other than Abbott talking about back pain, did he disclose a diagnosis? Many skaters had had serious back problems over the years but have continued to compete. Yu Na has had irritated discs in her back; Flatt has had bulging discs for 5-6 yrs....did Jeremy give any additional info in Omaha about what has caused the back pain? Plushy is off to get back/disc surgery.......

 

[ice coverage]

@ColinJMcManus

#PeopleWhoInspireMe @StasiaRose who competed at Nationals with severe 2nd degree burns all over her thigh. #ShesABeast #ThatGirlWasOnFire
6:05 PM - 30 Jan 13
​

https://twitter.com/ColinJMcManus/statuses/296801395661746176​

Ouch! I trust that Anastasia Cannuscio will have plenty of time to heal before next season, but her injury sounds very painful. Inspiring indeed that she was able to skate at all.

 

[demarinis5]

Wishing Plushy good recovery, poor guy another surgery. I worry about him.

I have to visit this thread more often I had no idea that Alissa had a second surgery. Get well soon Alissa!

 

[plushyfan]

Wishing Plushy good recovery, poor guy another surgery. I worry about him.

I have to visit this thread more often I had no idea that Alissa had a second surgery. Get well soon Alissa!

Can't we know Alissa has the second surgery?? Poor Alissa.

 

[demarinis5]

Adam Rippon has withdrawn from 4CC due to injury and has been replaced by Ricky Dornsbush. The entry list has been updated.
No word yet on what Adam's injury is. Wishing Adam a quick recovery.

 

[Olympia]

Drat! Adam's program was so wonderful. I was hoping to hear that he had good results with it at 4CC.

 

[sky_fly20]

another setback for Rippon but could be capitalized by Richard
he could pull the highest American placement or even podium

 

[LRK]

Thanks golden411 - That sounds horrible indeed and I hope she recovers soon!

And thanks demarinis5 for alerting us about Adam Rippon - all I've seen since is this IN article:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130204&content_id=41381752&vkey=ice_pressrelease

- but all it really says is:

"Rippon, who placed fifth at the 2013 U.S. Championships, sustained an ankle injury Saturday. He is expected to make a full recovery."

Does anyone have additional info?

Talking of 4CC withdrawals - does anyone know details about Pang/Tong? Is it their old injuries plaguing them, or has something additional occurred? With Sui/Han I'm guessing it is that she has not recovered yet? Does anyone have any update on her and how she's doing?

For round-up purposes, here are two threads about people who, hopefully, are still on the road to recovery:

Bazarova & Larionov resume practice
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?39990-Bazarova-amp-Larionov-resume-practice

Adrian Schultheiss update
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?39977-Adrian-Schultheiss-update

@Nigel - I think you raise some interesting questions - I've not seen anything since on Jeremy's back - but maybe someone else has? Meanwhile, you can find more details on Plushy's surgery & the state of his back before it, in this post, courtesy of let's talk:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...geni-Plushenko&p=708047&viewfull=1#post708047

Actually, reading this:

"When yesterday the operation began, he saw that the situation is actually much worse than it could have been predicted by MRI. It turned out that he had an old hernia (which he had treated several times, by the way) and a new hernia, the one that compresses the nerve. It is in the lumbosacral spine. This department is responsible for the strength of legs, and exactly there he had a hernia that was compressing the nerve. It was not only the pressure, but the disk was completely destroyed. It was destroyed to the point that there was the second hernia that was also pressing on the nerve. In such situation it was necessary to do the surgery."

reminds me that I heard previously that Jeremy's trouble was connected to a nerve in his back? and that he had difficulty feeling his legs all during the Skate America FS? But maybe someone else, with a better memory, can comment on the details of it?

 

[Olympia]

I read about the surgery on another sports site, and it sounds tremendously delicate. I gather they put in a synthetic disc. Can you imagine the danger to the spinal nerves of such a surgery? I'm sure the recovery period is crucial. I just hope Plushenko listens this time and doesn't start training prematurely, or he'll be in huge trouble. I understand that he thinks he's Superman, but even if that were true, this operation is kryptonite.

 

[Skater Boy]

I hope the ills of Mirai, Alena, Alissa et al get cured even if it is in their head.

 

[Skater Boy]

Okay does anyone know what happened to Adam Rippon? What injury does he have at 4CC's?

 

[dorispulaski]

I heard it was an ankle injury, but should heal fairly soon. No details...a sprain? ... a strain?