Amber is a nationally ranked gymnast who almost missed out on a full-ride to college due to an ankle injury. In fact, she lost her initial scholarship to a Division 1 school after she injured her ankle. Thankfully an Olympic gymnastic doctor referred her to Caring Medical.
Prolotherapy for Sports injury
Amber first came to Caring Medical in January of 2012. She was experiencing some ankle pain with much instability that was severely effecting her gymnastics performance. She was hoping to compete in regionals just a three months later so that she could qualify for nationals. She had already verbally accepted a gymnastics scholarship to a Division 1 school and knew she needed to be pain-free to continue her gymnastics career. She had ruptured her Achilles tendon months earlier and had Achilles surgery, but her ankle was still unstable and not in top shape. Dr. Hauser examined her ankle and noted significant instability that could be treated with Prolotherapy. He estimated she would need three to five visits to get her back into competition. He treated Amber with 32 Prolotherapy injections to her ankle and gave her specific exercise instructions to keep her active and facilitate healing.
One month later Amber returned for a second Prolotherapy treatment. She reported a 40% overall improvement in her ankle, noting more stability. The pain level was about the same except that she could tolerate going up onto her toes for short periods of time that she could not do before. Dr. Hauser increased her Prolotherapy treatment by injecting 52 Prolotherapy injections into her injured ankle. He again gave her specific exercise, supplement and dietary instruction to facilitate healing.
One month later Amber returned for a third and final Prolotherapy treatment. She reported a 75% improvement and no pain with exercise. She had mild pain when going up on her toes during gymnastics but overall felt a vast improvement. Dr. Hauser gave here the same Prolotherapy treatment and predicted that this would be her last treatment.
Sports injury Success
So how did Amber and her sports injury fair? Here are some excerpts from a letter received from her father:
“So much has happen since we had our last visit. . . Amber’s goal was to attempt to be ready to compete at the USA Gymnastics women’s regional meet for region to qualify for Nationals. First, [Division 1 school] which was the school she had verbally committed to took their scholarship back, of course Amber and our family was devastated. They said it was not because of her injury but God had another plan for her.
[In March] She competed one event, bars, at the State meet to qualify for regions. [In April] Regional 5 Women’s Gymnastics Championships. Amber was unable to go and compete. Her foot was just not strong enough yet to compete all 4 events. She tried in practice and said she just couldn’t do it. God had another plan. She was disappointed but her goal had changed to being ready to compete for a college team and getting a college scholarship. She was notified that [five Division I schools] were all interested in her to give her a scholarship.”
In May of 2012 the assistant coach from one of the Division 1 schools came to watch Amber at practice. Within two weeks Amber was notified that she received a full ride – tuition, books, housing, food & $1000 a month stipend – to join this college gymnastics team. She accepted and has since graduated from high school and has headed to college for summer school.
In the words of Amber’s father: “What a journey, to GOD be the GLORY and I would like to thank Dr. Hauser and the Caring Medical staff for taking care of Amber and literally getting her back on her feet.”
For more on Prolotherapy and sports injuries contact us at 708-848-7789 or drhauser@caringmedical.com.