Luvofthegame
09-15-2006, 11:41 PM
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/15/2006
A degenerative hip condition afflicting Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen is not believed to be career-ending but will require surgery in upcoming weeks, several people familiar with the case confirmed Thursday.
"It's a fact that what he has can't be addressed without some sort of procedure," Cardinals medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta said.
Either today or Saturday, Isringhausen will try to determine his availability for the rest of this season by performing a bullpen session prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants. Feedback probably will determine if he waits until next month for the procedure or cuts short his year to seek immediate help.
"I don't want to quit on my team," said Isringhausen, who owns 249 career saves, including 33 in 43 opportunities this season. "I like being part of it. I want to end up as part of it. But I'm not going to keep going out there hurting my team. I want to make sure I can help them if I go out there. If necessary, I might have to put my pride aside to help. This really isn't about me; it's about the team."
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Isringhausen, 34, has been presented three surgical options ranging from a least-invasive "clean-up" that would not interfere with his postseason routine to one called a "femur cap" that probably would end his career.
A cap -- also called "resurfacing" -- involves shaving the ball of the femur and covering it with a metal coating. The procedure is intended to allow a patient greater quality of life but is not conducive to strenuous athletic activity. Ex-Cardinals reliever Dave Veres underwent the procedure and subsequently retired.
A source outside the organization said Thursday that hip replacement was discussed as a possibility within the last several weeks but for now has been shelved.
"It's a treatment option, but I doubt it's an option for Izzy because it's not something he would predictably come back after," Paletta said. "I don't think this is likely to end his career. I do believe some of the options could put his starting next season in jeopardy."
Isringhausen is signed through next season, with the Cardinals holding an option on him for 2008.
Paletta, who performed arthroscopic surgery to shave labrum from Isringhausen's hip after the 2004 season, believes the more likely procedure is osteoplasty, an operation to shave the femur's neck without applying a cap.
"It's a much more involved procedure" than a clean-up, according to Paletta. "Because you violate the integrity of the bone, the recovery period is much longer." The procedure would reduce the grinding within the joint and require a 3-6 month recovery.
Any surgery would be Isringhausen's second in barely two years. After his arthroscopic procedure following the team's World Series appearance, he was available to open the 2005 season.
After accepting a cortisone injection to the hip Monday, Isringhausen plans to throw in the bullpen today or Saturday. The injection had eased pain in the hip by Wednesday night but all parties concede that striding toward the plate could cause his symptoms to return.
"I'm going to see how I can pitch, maybe by shortening my stride," Isringhausen said.
Isringhausen earlier this week said his availability for the remainder of the season would be easy to determine. "It's just a matter of how much I can take," he said.
Since June, teammates and club officials have strongly suspected surgery was inevitable. Paletta confirmed any discussion of upcoming surgery "isn't a question of if, but of when." The Cardinals and Isringhausen's agents have initiated a search for a surgeon and a timetable. Paletta said Thursday if the cortisone shot does not make Isringhausen available within seven to 10 days, it is highly unlikely he would appear again this season.
"We can either control the symptoms for the next month or we can't," Paletta said. "How he feels now could be a positive, but it may be a temporary positive where next week he says he feels terrible. The rest of his season is going to be day-to-day."
Isringhausen suffers from an impingement associated with arthritis of the left hip. Because the hip socket contains less than the normal amount of cushion, the ball of the pitcher's femur sits abnormally high. When Isringhausen lands directly over the hip as with a normal delivery, the hip collapses.
Paletta injected lubricant into the hip several times in July, according to a club source, bringing Isringhausen temporary relief. But the effects wore off in recent weeks and led to the closer admitting he could no longer perform following a dropped save chance in Washington Sept. 6.
Isringhausen has not pitched since. A series of magnetic resonance images and X-rays confirmed the deterioration.
Isringhausen recently admitted the pain associated with his current problem is far greater than what he experienced in 2004. Manager Tony La Russa on Wednesday voiced hope for Isringhausen's return but thought it unlikely that he can resume duties as the team's closer. Rookie Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper will instead handle the responsibility, La Russa said.
"If (Isringhausen) can go out there, I think there are situations he could be a help," La Russa said earlier this week. "The issue is going to be how he feels. They may say he's done for the year. They may say he can pitch here and there. But I think if he can go it would be other times" than the ninth inning.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/15/2006
A degenerative hip condition afflicting Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen is not believed to be career-ending but will require surgery in upcoming weeks, several people familiar with the case confirmed Thursday.
"It's a fact that what he has can't be addressed without some sort of procedure," Cardinals medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta said.
Either today or Saturday, Isringhausen will try to determine his availability for the rest of this season by performing a bullpen session prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants. Feedback probably will determine if he waits until next month for the procedure or cuts short his year to seek immediate help.
"I don't want to quit on my team," said Isringhausen, who owns 249 career saves, including 33 in 43 opportunities this season. "I like being part of it. I want to end up as part of it. But I'm not going to keep going out there hurting my team. I want to make sure I can help them if I go out there. If necessary, I might have to put my pride aside to help. This really isn't about me; it's about the team."
Advertisement
Isringhausen, 34, has been presented three surgical options ranging from a least-invasive "clean-up" that would not interfere with his postseason routine to one called a "femur cap" that probably would end his career.
A cap -- also called "resurfacing" -- involves shaving the ball of the femur and covering it with a metal coating. The procedure is intended to allow a patient greater quality of life but is not conducive to strenuous athletic activity. Ex-Cardinals reliever Dave Veres underwent the procedure and subsequently retired.
A source outside the organization said Thursday that hip replacement was discussed as a possibility within the last several weeks but for now has been shelved.
"It's a treatment option, but I doubt it's an option for Izzy because it's not something he would predictably come back after," Paletta said. "I don't think this is likely to end his career. I do believe some of the options could put his starting next season in jeopardy."
Isringhausen is signed through next season, with the Cardinals holding an option on him for 2008.
Paletta, who performed arthroscopic surgery to shave labrum from Isringhausen's hip after the 2004 season, believes the more likely procedure is osteoplasty, an operation to shave the femur's neck without applying a cap.
"It's a much more involved procedure" than a clean-up, according to Paletta. "Because you violate the integrity of the bone, the recovery period is much longer." The procedure would reduce the grinding within the joint and require a 3-6 month recovery.
Any surgery would be Isringhausen's second in barely two years. After his arthroscopic procedure following the team's World Series appearance, he was available to open the 2005 season.
After accepting a cortisone injection to the hip Monday, Isringhausen plans to throw in the bullpen today or Saturday. The injection had eased pain in the hip by Wednesday night but all parties concede that striding toward the plate could cause his symptoms to return.
"I'm going to see how I can pitch, maybe by shortening my stride," Isringhausen said.
Isringhausen earlier this week said his availability for the remainder of the season would be easy to determine. "It's just a matter of how much I can take," he said.
Since June, teammates and club officials have strongly suspected surgery was inevitable. Paletta confirmed any discussion of upcoming surgery "isn't a question of if, but of when." The Cardinals and Isringhausen's agents have initiated a search for a surgeon and a timetable. Paletta said Thursday if the cortisone shot does not make Isringhausen available within seven to 10 days, it is highly unlikely he would appear again this season.
"We can either control the symptoms for the next month or we can't," Paletta said. "How he feels now could be a positive, but it may be a temporary positive where next week he says he feels terrible. The rest of his season is going to be day-to-day."
Isringhausen suffers from an impingement associated with arthritis of the left hip. Because the hip socket contains less than the normal amount of cushion, the ball of the pitcher's femur sits abnormally high. When Isringhausen lands directly over the hip as with a normal delivery, the hip collapses.
Paletta injected lubricant into the hip several times in July, according to a club source, bringing Isringhausen temporary relief. But the effects wore off in recent weeks and led to the closer admitting he could no longer perform following a dropped save chance in Washington Sept. 6.
Isringhausen has not pitched since. A series of magnetic resonance images and X-rays confirmed the deterioration.
Isringhausen recently admitted the pain associated with his current problem is far greater than what he experienced in 2004. Manager Tony La Russa on Wednesday voiced hope for Isringhausen's return but thought it unlikely that he can resume duties as the team's closer. Rookie Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper will instead handle the responsibility, La Russa said.
"If (Isringhausen) can go out there, I think there are situations he could be a help," La Russa said earlier this week. "The issue is going to be how he feels. They may say he's done for the year. They may say he can pitch here and there. But I think if he can go it would be other times" than the ninth inning.