Tapper Question for 'Zone Doctors

[Verdict]

What is the likelihood Tapper is able to heal enough to become a productive player for us? Can he eventually be able to play? What are the variables involved in the timetable for his return?

 

[Doc50]

See my previous posts in "Tapper has Pars Defect" and "Tapper Suffers Setback".

It's questionable whether he can withstand the rigors of the NFL without surgery since his lumbar spine has an inherent element of instability.

There's also no guarantee that surgery will allow for elite physical performance either. He'd be out for at least 6 months, and may be limited continued pain and myospasm.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

See my previous posts in "Tapper has Pars Defect" and "Tapper Suffers Setback".

It's questionable whether he can withstand the rigors of the NFL without surgery since his lumbar spine has an inherent element of instability.

There's also no guarantee that surgery will allow for elite physical performance either. He'd be out for at least 6 months, and may be limited continued pain and myospasm.

Thanks for the info. Wouldn't his best chance be to get the surgery though? Without having it, it seems like it's a time bomb waiting to go off.

 

[boysfanindc]

See my previous posts in "Tapper has Pars Defect" and "Tapper Suffers Setback".

It's questionable whether he can withstand the rigors of the NFL without surgery since his lumbar spine has an inherent element of instability.

There's also no guarantee that surgery will allow for elite physical performance either. He'd be out for at least 6 months, and may be limited continued pain and myospasm.

What are the odds of a good prognosis (I know without seeing the films) of surgery actually helping him to get on the field.

 

[lkelly]

They should draft 74 defensive ends next April and forget about the 2016 mistake. Using that strategy they are bound to stumble upon 2 or 3 that can play without injury or drug suspension.

The good news is that Cleveland will be busy drafting all the QBs since they have the same position issues there.

 

[Doc50]

What are the odds of a good prognosis (I know without seeing the films) of surgery actually helping him to get on the field.

He would have about a 25% chance of returning to elite status: 40% chance of being a role player for a few years.

This could have been in injury in his adolescence, but he recalls no specific incident; certainly could have been a developmental anomaly.
Would have been much better for him to get this repaired years ago, but that would have also possibly stunted his career growth.

I hate it for the young man and for the team, but I would never count out an elite athlete to be that guy who proves everybody wrong.

 

[boysfanindc]

He would have about a 25% chance of returning to elite status: 40% chance of being a role player for a few years.

This could have been in injury in his adolescence, but he recalls no specific incident; certainly could have been a developmental anomaly.
Would have been much better for him to get this repaired years ago, but that would have also possibly stunted his career growth.

I hate it for the young man and for the team, but I would never count out an elite athlete to be that guy who proves everybody wrong.

Thanks, that is unfortunate for him as well as the organization.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

This really sucks with Tapper cause I'm a huge fan of the guy. Watching him play at OU made me really like his hustle and his motor. I hope he's able to get right and be a productive player for us because I feel like he could be a good player.

 

[erod]

Michael Irvin had a similar condition. It wasn't discovered until he got hurt in Philadelphia.

 

[Alexander]

Michael Irvin had a similar condition. It wasn't discovered until he got hurt in Philadelphia.

No, not the same. That was stenosis.

 

[erod]

No, not the same. That was stenosis.

It's still an unknown spinal condition that wasn't realized until an injury occurred.

 

[Alexander]

It's still an unknown spinal condition that wasn't realized until an injury occurred.

A pars defect is different from spinal stenosis. In fact, players can continue to play with congenital stenosis if they are willing to deal with the discomfort and alarm that happens if they continue to get stingers.

A pars defect can lead to worse spinal cord damage though repeated trauma from my understanding.

 

[erod]

A pars defect is different from spinal stenosis. In fact, players can continue to play with congenital stenosis if they are willing to deal with the discomfort and alarm that happens if they continue to get stingers.

A pars defect can lead to worse spinal cord damage though repeated trauma from my understanding.

I'm not equating them. I'm saying these conditions often aren't known until an injury occurs.

 

[TheSport78]

With the significant amount of lumbar extension that's required at his position (which would worsen the anterior translation of the affected vertebral body), it would be pretty difficult for the young man to have a long and successful NFL career. Like the good doctor mentioned above, there's already a certain amount of instability present, and this would likely worsen over time and possibly lead to spinal cord impingement.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I'm not equating them. I'm saying these conditions often aren't known until an injury occurs.

No, you're simply changing what you said instead of simply saying "oh, thanks, didn't know that."

 

[erod]

No, you're simply changing what you said instead of simply saying "oh, thanks, didn't know that."

You don't think I know the difference between the neck and the lower back? LOL

Both played a lot of football in their lives without knowing their spinal condition. That was the point.

Now run along.

 

[Seven]

He would have about a 25% chance of returning to elite status: 40% chance of being a role player for a few years.

This could have been in injury in his adolescence, but he recalls no specific incident; certainly could have been a developmental anomaly.
Would have been much better for him to get this repaired years ago, but that would have also possibly stunted his career growth.

I hate it for the young man and for the team, but I would never count out an elite athlete to be that guy who proves everybody wrong.

FWIW -
They had a Dlineman on the radio, 104.3 The Fan, and he stated that he knew of no athlete, with a back injury, that ever really recovers from it and is 100% again.

He stated that JJ Watts career will never be the same with the back injury. He clearly said the JJ Watt era is over.

He's no doctor but front line experience, I guess.

 

[erod]

?

FWIW -
They had a Dlineman on the radio, 104.3 The Fan, and he stated that he knew of no athlete, with a back injury, that ever really recovers from it and is 100% again.

He stated that JJ Watts career will never be the same with the back injury. He clearly said the JJ Watt era is over.

He's no doctor but front line experience, I guess.

It's true that backs never really heal once you hurt them. I can attest to that.

Troy Aikman, Larry Bird, Steve Nash...once that back goes, it's a constant issue to manage from there on.

And isn't Demarcus Lawrence struggling with his back?

 

[Seven]

?

It's true that backs never really heal once you hurt them. I can attest to that.

Troy Aikman, Larry Bird, Steve Nash...once that back goes, it's a constant issue to manage from there on.

And isn't Demarcus Lawrence struggling with his back?

Yep.

EDIT Post: misread post. Thought it read DeMarcus Ware. Apologies.

 

[erod]

Oh yeah. Prior to leaving Dallas.

He's a role player for Denver, at best. He was out injured last year and I believe it was back issues.

Lawrence, not Ware. But him, too.