Lowry to have surgery

by wjackalope on Mar 6, 2008 3:48 PM PST

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080306&content_id=2409476&vkey=spt 2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

Sanchez time? Apparently he has exertional compartment syndrome, whatever that is.

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Re: Lowry to have surgery

In a way, it's good news -- he's actually hurt, and not going through an Ankielism.

by wedge on Mar 6, 2008 3:47 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Hey, my car has that too. I hope it doesn't need surgery....

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 6, 2008 3:48 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

If what I read is correct, then it appears a fasciotomy is involved - cutting away fascia. If so, then there is always the risk of inadvertent nerve damage, which would seem to be a career-ending kind of risk, although a small risk.

Kenshin, DrB? Thoughts?

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 6, 2008 3:50 PM PST reply actions

pst

You do know the good Doctor isn't a doctor right?

And kenshin is only a ::disgusted look towards:: medical student.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 6, 2008 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

Re: pst

He is actually the doctor of Funk.

Nattowear | artstuff | Durham? I know 'im!

by Natto on Mar 6, 2008 3:53 PM PST up reply actions

Re: pst

He' the one they call Dr. Feelgood.

Hoping tk's recovery is faster than Raj going from first to third!

by Goofus on Mar 6, 2008 7:03 PM PST up reply actions

Re: pst

So will victor be your Frankenstein?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 6, 2008 8:05 PM PST up reply actions

Nerve Damage

There is always a risk of nerve damage whenever somebody cuts on you, but in this case, probably unlikely.

This confirms what I suspected, that this involves nerve dysfunction, apparently from compression of enlarged muscles rather than from UCL damage which is what I hypothesized. Loss of sensation in the hand would not come just from tendonitis alone.

I understand this is, in fact a common problem in athletes, more often in the leg muscles of runners, where the muscles get too big for the muscle sheath and start pressing on nerves and blood vessels. The surgery is to incise the sheath to relieve the pressure although I'm not sure exactly how it works as I'm not a surgeon.

Recovery from nerve dysfunction is always a bit iffy. Hopefully any damage done is not permanent and he'll bounce right back.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 6, 2008 4:14 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

Thanks - well put. One question though: I understand runners having enlarged leg muscles, which would lead to this condition; but would a pitcher have an enlarged muscle in his wrist? Wouldn't that be more like a runner having enlarged ankle muscles?

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 6, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

I'm guessing this must be in the forearm muscles. Yes, there are mostly tendons running through the wrist.

BTW. I'm not really a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Express last night. LOL!

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 6, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

I can't even begin to imagine how many times you've said that in your life, can I?

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 6, 2008 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

Not To Many

For some reason I just felt like breaking that one out here.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 6, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

The enlarged "leg" muscles

are usually, muscles on the shin, muscles like the tibialis (anterior / posterior).

Compartmental syndrome rarely happens with large muscles, rather it happens more often with small muscles.

by rfloh on Mar 6, 2008 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

Re: The enlarged "leg" muscles

When i have seen compartment syndrome is has been with the gastroc (your calf). Exeertional compartment syndrome is very difficult to detect, as it presents like a stress fracture or a muscle strain. THe coolest/disturbing thing i have ever seen is acute compartment syndrome of the gastroc after a guy took a fast ball in the calf. he didn't come to us until about a day after the injury. When he did we had to relieve the presure on the spot with a syrynge. When we did, a chunk of the fascia(the conective tissue covering that causes compartment syndrome) shot accross the room. It was ridiculos.

by OmahaGiants on Mar 7, 2008 2:03 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

DrBGf said in part:

> where the muscles get too big for
> the muscle sheath

and six of you replied with nary a Bocock joke?!

This must be serious.

by bgunn on Mar 7, 2008 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

When the bocock muscles get too big for their sheath, that is a serious and painful problem. I would never make jokes about that.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 7, 2008 10:31 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

If your erection lasts for more than four hours, should you see your doctor or be nominated for a medal?

by sharksrog on Mar 7, 2008 5:56 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Nerve Damage

I suggest that if a friend is cruising around with a four-hour erection, it's best not to meddle.

by Moggeee on Mar 7, 2008 7:58 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Facesitonme?

by rellubcat on Mar 6, 2008 5:30 PM PST up reply actions

I defer...

to DrB on all things medical so if anything I say contradicts him, I'm wrong.

Compartment syndrome has numerous etiologies which share a common endpoint of elevated pressure in the tissue. In severe cases, this pressure will actually exceed that of the blood vessels and the blood supply to the tissue will be cut off. The treatment of choice for compartment syndrome is fasciotomy. Literally, the surgeon cuts longitudinal windows into the fascia (connective tissue) which release the pressure.

The nerve at greatest risk is probably the median nerve; however, I have no idea how often it gets injured in these procedures.

Flossing a dead horse

by kenshin1 on Mar 6, 2008 5:49 PM PST up reply actions

Re: I defer...

Can I just say... Eeeww.

by robbgin on Mar 6, 2008 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

Re: I defer...

No, you can't.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 6, 2008 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

That's Right

Yes, I pretty much agree with that. My knowledge of that particular problem and the surgery is limited as it is out of my area of specialty, but that is my understanding too.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 6, 2008 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

Alright! A battle for the 5th spot.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 6, 2008 3:51 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

What is it with Lowry getting injuries that are pretty rare? When he got the oblique strain, that was practically an unheard of injury. Then, suddenly there was a league outbreak of oblique strains. Now this. Hopefully it doesn't also sweep the league now.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 6, 2008 3:52 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

I know. It makes me worry that, what with all the posting I've been doing lately, I'm maybe running the risk of... >SPROING<

...aw geez, there goes my exertional compartment.

That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!

by tobias on Mar 6, 2008 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

Leave That Swagger Behind

"SPROING," interestingly,

is currently being test marketed as the slogan for the fervent and possibly surprising 2009 San Francisco Giants.

by Moggeee on Mar 7, 2008 8:02 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Hopefully it infests the 90210 Area Code

by E Ticket on Mar 7, 2008 9:45 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

In case you decide to phone your local post office or mail your cell phone. Nothing like the Dog Days of March.

by E Ticket on Mar 7, 2008 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Nattowear | artstuff | Durham? I know 'im!

by Natto on Mar 6, 2008 3:52 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Assuming that the 5th guy is going to be left-handed, and relatively inexperienced, do we not need to alter the sequence of the entire rotation? Can you take away Zito's Opening Day assignment now that you've already given him the nod? (And yes, we know already that some felt Cain deserved it in the first place.) Here's what I'm hoping for:

Cain
Zito
Lincecum
Correia
Sanchez

by BigO on Mar 6, 2008 4:00 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Cain: 7 to 8 innings
Zito: 6 to 7 innings
Linc: 7 to 8 innings
Correia: 5 to 7 innings
Sanchez: 5 to 6 innings

Is there a way to line-up the starters so not so burdensome or taxing on the bullpen?

by wilriv21 on Mar 6, 2008 4:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

That's a good point. Maybe an argument for leaving things as they were, with Sanchez slotted in between Cain and Lincecum. What you lose (or may lose) in performance from the earlier slot for a less refined pitcher, perhaps you gain back (and more) by protecting the pen.

by BigO on Mar 6, 2008 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

rotation order

As for your innings estimations, I would swap the ones for Zito and Correia. Then, if I were correct, your problem would be solved.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 6, 2008 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Of course, this would mean it would be Zito for the home opener. Yikes! Maybe it's what he needs to win us back.

by BigO on Mar 6, 2008 4:14 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Great thinking there, Big O. I love your quick thinking, just as I used to love the way you could back guys down low and then make your turnaround jumper look so easy.

by sharksrog on Mar 7, 2008 10:27 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Compliments eagerly accepted, of course. However, I think I've pointed out before that I'm the building, and not the hoopster.

by BigO on Mar 7, 2008 7:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

I blame the foam Optimism Week for this. If only Lowry weren't such a sucker for candygrams.

Nattowear | artstuff | Durham? I know 'im!

by Natto on Mar 6, 2008 4:18 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

But who can resist a candygram?

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 6, 2008 4:26 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

I didn't do it. I swear to god.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 6, 2008 8:06 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Mongo like candy.

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Mar 7, 2008 8:17 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

As soon as I saw that game where he walked 9 batters I knew he was injured.

Make the best of it Sanchez.

by Cainer on Mar 6, 2008 4:27 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

I think we're going to need 13 pitchers on the roster, not 11.

"Why you gotta be cardin' my hos?" - Charlie Hayes

by stevieg on Mar 6, 2008 4:35 PM PST reply actions

Three Stooges

Well there definitely is no reason to carry three catchers unless we are talking Bench, Dickey and Berra.

by wilriv21 on Mar 6, 2008 4:37 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Three Stooges

The Giants signed Dale Berra? The GORP (Grit over replacement player) factor just quintubulated.

All those Giants fans down in Giants land love that Crazy Crab!

by BlackDougal on Mar 7, 2008 7:52 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Might this explain why Sabean apparently wasn't willing to part with Sanchez to get Crede, or am I giving our GM too much credit here?

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Mar 6, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

There ain't much credit due if this is the only reason he wasn't willing to give up Sanchez for Crede.

by BigO on Mar 6, 2008 4:41 PM PST up reply actions

Add Hennessey to the mix

LHP Jonathan Sanchez and RHP Brad Hennessey will pitch in split-squad games Saturday.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/05/sports/s202205S69.DTL

by wilriv21 on Mar 6, 2008 5:27 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

If this has anything to do with Guitar Hero ....

Still the proud parent of Notgardo Alfonzo; hoping for a perfect spring.

by tk on Mar 6, 2008 6:09 PM PST reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Lowry is probably more of the Rock Band type anyway.

Nattowear | artstuff | Durham? I know 'im!

by Natto on Mar 6, 2008 6:53 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Lowry to have surgery

Does this increase the chances Santos might be looked at as a filler for the bottom of the rotation? Or open the door for him to compete as a rubber arm to fill the middle innings if 2 "kids" get the bottom two slots in the rotation?

... and by the way Dodgers should always suffer like they are back in Brooklyn before World War II.

by daveinexile on Mar 6, 2008 9:15 PM PST reply actions

What can we expect after surgery?

After surgery can we expect the 2007 Noah Lowry or did this ailment cause his poor 2007 season and we can expect the 2005 Lowry?

by wilriv21 on Mar 8, 2008 2:04 AM PST reply actions

Re: What can we expect after surgery?

They can rebuild him. They have the technology.

by 2X2L on Mar 8, 2008 7:15 AM PST up reply actions

Re: What can we expect after surgery?

They can rebuild him. But they can't fix the pothole on my street.

by Moggeee on Mar 8, 2008 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

Re: What can we expect after surgery?

As far as I can really tell, this only came up in the second half of '07, so we can at least expect to se first half '07 Lowry, I guess. The bad news about that is that first half '07 Lowry still wasn't as good as any healthy version that came before it.

It'll be interesting. I'm opting to stay hopeful with this one and I think we'll see a significant improvement once he gets his slots back. I won't make any promises, though, because I don't think this was affecting him for all of 2007.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 8, 2008 9:18 AM PST up reply actions