Backs can be really tough to heal. There are a few basic factors that come to mind (no I'm not a doctor, just recovered from a big rupture):

1. Age - Gallo is young and should heal, even if it's a ruptured disk. Really, the body can heal from the impossible if given proper nutrition, rest and a good environment (Isiah is gone ;) )
2. Stress/Anger - Often lower back problems are manifestations of these. If the muscles remain tight that hinders the healing of the rupture. As a matter of fact it is often a leading cause of the rupture. You know of people who say they heard a pop only bending over or doing a typical movement. Well that is often connected to muscle tension, whatever the reason. Gallo is new in this country and perhaps this makes sense. But listening to him talk he seems like he has his head on straight and is used to the big stage anyway.
3. Immobilization is usually not the best thing to do and I don't see that being a long term problem for a professional athlete. But with everyday people they baby things and that often makes it worse and solidifies the injury in the mind.

The Cortisone can really aid with healing regarding #2. But it better not be a long term thing for obvious reasons.

I'm not really too worried about his back. But the team not being honest... well, hell, look around Wall St., Bush, McCain, it's a reflection of us. Anyway looking forward to the kid taking the floor and bringing something (many things) we have sorely lacked.

EMS

Back Watch 2008 - Ken Berger's prospective

How long will Gallinari take back seat?
Ken Berger
October 4, 2008
SARATOGA SPRINGS

Donnie Walsh interrupted the question and gestured toward his prized first-round pick on the adjacent court.

"That's amazing," Walsh said as Danilo Gallinari drained one three-pointer after another - lefthanded, just for fun.

But when Gallinari, the sixth overall pick and the Knicks' highest lottery selection since Kenny Walker (No. 5) in 1986, will be able to shoot three-pointers in a live drill remains a mystery.


Yes, it has been so long since the Knicks have brought a draft pick as high as sixth to training camp that they are tearing down the stadium in which the Mets won the World Series that year. Gallinari was negative-two years old when the ball went through Bill Buckner's arthritic legs.

But the question of whether the Knicks reached too far - across the ocean and up their draft board - when they rolled the dice on the 20-year-old Italian has shifted to a more serious one. How does someone who barely needs to shave get sidelined with a bulging disc and pain shooting down his leg, a condition more suitable to the 67-year-old team president who drafted him?

The Knicks publicly have expressed little concern about Gallinari's nagging back pain, which has kept him out of live drills since July. Precaution and patience rule their thinking, apparently overshadowing any doubts that might creep in about Gallinari's long-term health.

Step in off the ledge, say two medical experts who believe Gallinari will be fine.

"That's not a death sentence by any means," said Dr. Neil Liebman, the Philadelphia 76ers' longtime chiropractor. "He could come through this and be totally fine for years and years."

Though it might seem alarming that someone so young already could have a significant back injury, the red flag doesn't mean Gallinari will need surgery, said Dr. Nick DiNubile, spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

"Bulging discs in general are not a real serious problem, and a bulging disc never needs surgery," DiNubile said. "But the No. 1 predictor of future back problems is having had one. So I say, when anybody has an episode with their back, they should look at it as a red flag."

Gallinari, who has seen two specialists in addition to the Knicks' medical staff, said Friday he's been told he'll have to protect his back with core- strengthening exercises for the foreseeable future.

"It is a problem that my back is like this, so I will have to do exercises every day and be conscious that I have this type of back," Gallinari said. "I have to work on my muscles every day."

Gallinari had back pain early in summer league workouts but tried to play through it. "My mistake," he said. The Knicks shelved him after the first summer league game and he hasn't been back in live drills since. Friday was the first day trainers allowed him to run.

An MRI showed a bulging disc, and Gallinari has received two cortisone shots. Subsequent MRIs have shown the disc receding. The only long-term concern is the length of time the pain has persisted.

"Eighty percent of people are out of the episode in two weeks," DiNubile said. "[Ten] percent last six weeks and 10 percent can go on for months and become more chronic. So he's in the more chronic phase, which isn't good."

Liebman, who has successfully treated 76ers such as Chris Webber, Eric Snow and Samuel Dalembert, said Gallinari should see a chiropractor because traditional treatment is taking so long to work.

"Some of the abdominal core strength stuff is good," Liebman said. "But if there's a misalignment in the back, you can rehab them all you want. Until the pelvis and lumbar spine are set back where they should be, the pain's not going to go away."

Gallinari has not seen a chiropractor, saying, "The pain is staying the same, so that's good news."

The bad news is that the Knicks' most important draft pick in two decades is starting off his rookie season way behind.

"I want to be useful for this team," Gallinari said. "But I know I have to take my time."



[Edited by - pharzeone on 10-04-2008 2:21 PM]

He hasn't seen a chiropractor? That is the mistake right there. They could fix this in a week.

I don't know guys. The way I see it, we still have the same old phucked up team with that poisionous suckbury still causing problems. So as I said before, our real' team won't be in place until after the next two seasons anyway.

Look for this team to be lucky to win 30 this coming season. I don't expect much from this particular bunch as a team this year. I'm only looking forward to what our young cats can do at this year to prove they belong.

Posted by Markji:

Posted by rain:

He hasn't seen a chiropractor? That is the mistake right there. They could fix this in a week.

agree.....but it should be the "right " chiropractor. Someone who is really good at fixing this type of problem.

I actually know one who is really, really good. She has a reputation for working with major league athletes and so far, I can almost swear by her.

Posted by nixluva:

Hey look Oden who is FAR and away the most important draft pick in the last few years was an injury bust himself. It's not the end of the world. Knees, Backs these are big trouble areas for any athlete, but these guys are young and they should be able to make a recovery. Heck Gallo may not even need surgery, whereas Oden had to. I mean Oden already had to get Microfracture surgery and he hadn't even played one NBA game!

If all that Gallo needs is time and therapy i'll take that. We'll see, but i'm not gonna get too crazy about it yet. These things happen and can happen to anyone.

I disagree about Oden. There were serious whispers about his medical history and possible medical concerns for years to come. I think that was listed as one of his weaknesses on many draft boards. The Blazers rolled the dice on him anyway because they hedged against those concerns. I mean when he got hurt many front office guys were giving "I told you so" interviews to reporters. Also, I disagree with the fact that Gallinari injury can just happen to anyone. In theory of course, but the question still remains is this an injury that he had predraft. From my knowledge a person's disc just doesn't pop out. From reports Gallinari reported pain prior to the summer league games. There are always warning signs or preconditions that can forsee an injury. But this could all be about nothing though. I think the most important thing for Gallinari is to learn how to play through pain. Everyone pain threshold is different. Ewing came into the league with suspect knees and had to learn how to play through it.

Posted by djsunyc:

my sources tell me that gallo is missing 3/4ths of his spine...details are still trickling in tho so i'll keep you updated...

From the Notes of "When Fiction Becomes Fact" files

dj, you were close but you didn't get your details out soon enough.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by djsunyc:

my sources tell me that gallo is missing 3/4ths of his spine...details are still trickling in tho so i'll keep you updated...

From the Notes of "When Fiction Becomes Fact" files

dj, you were close but you didn't get your details out soon enough.

his new nickname in italy is "il protozoa"...

Posted by Markji:

Posted by rain:

He hasn't seen a chiropractor? That is the mistake right there. They could fix this in a week.

agree.....but it should be the "right " chiropractor. Someone who is really good at fixing this type of problem.

Or maybe he should call in Mr. Bentley to step on Gallinair's back like George Jefferson