Left confused by Doctors

[nlyric]

This is a long story but I will try to keep it short and to the point. A family member plays football in Junior high. He had a few stingers/burners during this past season. The last practice before the last game I noticed signs of a stiff neck. Took him to the Doc who took x-rays and said he could play the next day. Got a call from the doc the next day saying don't let him play and wait for a call from a major childrens hospital for an appointment. Took a week for them to contact us--our impression was they weren't all that concerned. They said there was a space that was too wide, which I now know they were referring to the ADI..... 1st appt @ hospital they took extension/flexion x rays. I called the next day and talked to the doctor who measured the ADI while I was on the phone he said it was 7mm and should be 5 or less. Proceeded with recommended mri & ct scan. All the radiology reports came back "normal cervical spine" including the flexion/extension xrays. Although The Doc didn't tell me this. He then ordered a flexion/extension MRI which in flexion had a 4.3mm ADI. I asked the Doc over the phone why the difference from 7mm to 4.3mm and he said soft tissue in mri and bone in xray. I then went and got copies of the images and reports including doctors notes. In which I found all of his test came back normal except the last one where the radiologist said 4.3 was abnormal widening which contradicted what the Doc had said to me on the phone (5mm or less). I then decided to get a second and third opinion because at this point I wasn't real happy. Too many contradictions and for that matter tests. Spine specialists looked at him and all his tests and said he was fine. He referred us to a colleague (pediatric ortho sports injury doc) who also said he was fine and could go back to gymnastics basketball and martial arts any thing he wanted. T including football. The first specialist had us scared to death talking surgery and all kind of alarming things. At this point we don't know what to think. This 13 yr old boy is a truly gifted athlete and I think he has been scared by this Doctor. Not to mention we are also apprehensive. I would appreciate any thoughts on the subject. That was the best I could do as far as keeping this short Sorry and thank you in advance.

[Heidi]

Hi
I feel that a forum such as this is not the place to get the answers that you are looking for.
However, you haven't mentioned any ongoing symptoms with his neck and so if he doesn't have any symptoms and 2 out of 3 Doctors think he is fine to play, then I would go with this. But just a personal opinion and if you are still concerned I would advise you to get further assessment from a physical therapist to get their opinion too.

[nlyric]

I appreciate your input which was all I was really looking for. He has been pain free since the day after I noticed the stiffness in his neck. I have an appointment with our GP for myself in a couple of days. I think I will take the opportunity to discuss all this with him.. Hmmm "sports injury clinic" was I not discussing a sports injury --- I really was not looking for answers, just a place to vent and maybe get some input, and I appreciate yours Heidi... Have a great day.

Note: The spine surgeon and orthopedic surgeon are big on physical therapy and have the resources available where they practice. But they apparently don't see a need for it in this case.....