| Cortisone shots are dangerous! They are very | | | | they play most of the games they'll still have |
| effective in managing pain and decreasing | | | | $10,000,000..." |
| inflammation, but it is through this very mechanism that | | | | While this is true, let's take it a bit further. This person |
| they also break down other important tissues, such as | | | | has a mortgage and other 'normal, everyday |
| ligaments and cartilage in the surrounding area. Curt | | | | expenses' to pay, based off of an estimated income |
| Schilling just had a cortisone shot, and hopefully, there | | | | that did not include this injury. This athlete is also |
| will be no long term disadvantage to this treatment. In | | | | causing successive damage to his body for what's to |
| reality, professional athletes are faced with this difficult | | | | be a rather short career. If the career is too short, he'll |
| decision all the time. On one hand, it is fairly safe to get | | | | know for sure that this injury was not worth the price. |
| up to three cortisone shots without huge amounts of | | | | Getting back on the field is job security, and playing |
| risk. On the other hand, risking your shoulder, knee, | | | | sport is what he loves to do. |
| back, or ankle for any amount of time, whatsoever, is | | | | Many times, the competitive spirit can even take over |
| less than appealing. | | | | and lead someone back on to the field with an injury. I |
| Typically, the treatment given to professional athletes | | | | did this myself playing water polo. The game was tied |
| is decided upon by two factors: | | | | and we were about to go into overtime. I had hurt my |
| 1) What is the best thing for the athlete? | | | | shoulder, but it was the championship match. By the |
| 2) How much money will be lost by the team and/or | | | | end of the game, I had torn my labrum. Needless to |
| athlete as a result of this? Is there an immediate and | | | | say, without rehab, my shoulder would be a mess. I put |
| ethical decision that can be made to prevent this? | | | | myself through an intensive program that helped |
| The truth is, both questions are important and relevant. | | | | strengthen my shoulder, while avoiding surgery, |
| Football players, for example, many times only get paid | | | | cortisone shots, or other more aggressive methods. |
| if they play. They could be losing up to $1,000,000 | | | | Fortunately for me, I did not have a ten million dollar |
| every game that they miss. I know what you're | | | | contract to think about and I was able to heal my |
| thinking: "If that's the case, they'll be fine so long as | | | | shoulder the right way. |