Baseball

My son PJ who is 15 years old and is currently playing basketball for his JV team just got news today that he will be getting a pacemaker on January 17th. He loves playing basketball and loves playing baseball even more. he plays shortstop and secondbase and loves to slide head first and try to make diving plays when on defense. Will he have to change his style of play once the pacemaker is installed? I cant imagine him not playing since he's been playng since he was 8. If any one has input or suggestions i would love to hear from you.
Thank You

James & PJ Garza
AKA
turnin2

7 Comments

Hi James

by Pookie - 2011-12-13 06:12:22

This is probably a discussion you will eventually have to have with your son's cardiologist.

Sure, after having a pacemaker lots of people return to the sports that they loved, but sometimes one has to be extremely cautious as you wouldn't want to see your son having to go through another pacemaker surgery because he was a bit too active.

I'm not in a position to be giving medical advice, I just know that sometimes we have to take a good look at putting some balance into our lives. But I cannot see your soon sliding head first (on his chest) being a good thing for his pacemaker. With that being said, I've read on here somewhere that there are now types of protective vests for people who want to continue in such sports.

Again, I'm pretty darn sure your son will not have to give up sports completely, but this is something you will have to discuss with the professionals.

So, yes, I think your son will have to change his style of play. As a parent, we all want our children to be safe.

Take care,
Pookie

Pacemaker Guard

by mckate - 2011-12-13 08:12:11

Hi, I am young also, 25. I've had a pacemaker for 5 years now and understand his desire for sports. I have not used one of these myself but wanted to direct you to a website that sells guards:

http://www.paceguard.com/Store.html

You should talk to his Cardiologist before purchasing and about his participation in sports.

I am training for a 5K in January and eventually plan to run a marathon. Physically speaking, someone with a pacemaker is no different than someone without.

If your doctor discourages basketball, encourage your son to try another less contact sport. There are plenty of other things out there that could keep him active and happy. I wish you both the best!

A thought

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-14 02:12:55

There are actually plenty of vulnerable areas on the human body that can be seriously injured by impact sports. So having a pacemaker doesn't change the equation all that much.

I would be most concerned by a direct hit on an unprotected pacemaker with a fast ball. But that's why pitchers and catchers wear vests anyway.

Just let it heal well before getting back to heavy impact stuff.

frank

Sport Risk

by Tattoo Man - 2011-12-14 03:12:15

Hi, it is so easy to get scared of accidental damage isnt it ?. Im 61 and a runner, often off -road and sometimes at night with head torches. The first time I crashed (because when you trip on a tree root at night in a forest you dont 'fall', you 'crash !) ,I was worried that the PM was compromised,...as it happened the greatest damage was to my ego and my Nike shorts !. Its amazing how quickly your arm goes out to protect the body. That said mckates suggestion is well worth looking into, after all, peace of mind, for all concerned is very important. I shall look into shoulder protection myself.
Please give your Son my best wishes from here in a somewhat wintry UK. Ive made a note in my diary...on the same day I will visit my PM Clinic for a download/tweek session in the lovely City of Lincoln...check out what many see as the finest Cathedral in the UK

Take care

Tattoo Man

OMG, Susan...

by donr - 2011-12-14 08:12:12

...you just took a ball in the mouth - I hope it didn't screw up your braces!!!!!

True story. Happened to my shortstop on a 12 yr old girl's softball team. Susan had a mouthful of the most beautiful braces you have ever seen. She was also the second most magnificent athlete on the team, behind the other Susan who pitched & no one could hit. I lived in mortal terror of just that event happening. Even talked to her about it, but she was adamant about playing SS! Not only could she field like her glove was full of glue, she could throw to first like a rifle & the FB girl better catch the ball or suffer bodily harm! Anyway, I watch in horror as that ball - incidentally in late innings of the last game of the yr for the league championship - bounced off a pebble in the dirt, took a whacko bounce & came up & hit her square in the mouth. Unperturbed, she smothered the ball against her face & threw out the batter. This all took place in fractions of a second, but in the slow motion version I saw, lasted some 45 seconds. It was the third out & Susan came running to the "Dugout" smiling & cheering. And ALL RIGHT! Just like any other day at the office.

James, does the worst happen? You betcha! Even if it's the most improbable of worsts. Though this one wasn't, really.

Fast Fwd at least 35 yrs. I'm on Coumadin to prevent strokes. I do all sorts of whacko things that I shouldn't - at least in the eyes of my neurologist. But I protect my head from dangerous blows. One thing I do is wear a skateboarder's helmet when in the car. Think I'm weird? So do all bikers who look at me at stop lights. I get more laughs than Chevy Chase & Sandra Bullock combined - till the day we got T-boned by a Jeep Cherokee! MY head went through the passenger side window. But I suffered ZERO head damage in an event that shoulda killed me.

Therefore, Aesop says: Do crazy things, but wear protection & enjoy life to the fullest!

Oh, yes - make that kid stop sliding in on his belly. That's not crazy - that's dangerous & stupid - even pros don't make that a habit!

Good luck to the kid!

Don

Experience..

by notsodopey - 2011-12-29 10:12:11

I have a teenager who has had a pacemaker for three years and is a three sport athlete...including basketball and softball. First, I would ensure that your son's doctor has cleared him to play competitive sports. If so, then he will probably be required to wear a protective pad. My child wears Evoshield hunting/shooting recoil pad. They usually use tape instead of the recoil shirt. It is my understanding that the PM is pretty durable. However, sports should be played with a protective pad to distribute the impact of any direct hits. I prefer that my child does not slide head first. I advise them to "go for it" but "protect themself." I hope that makes sense. My child also played sports years before getting a pacemaker. I understand what you are going through. It was difficult adjustment. Athletics is a little different afterwards - but - athletic life can go on and your child can even flourish. My child has earned many MVP and end of season performance awards post pacemaker. In short, get approval and talk to his doctor, get him a pad, and after the surgery recovery period (usually three weeks), get him back out on the court/field.

basketball

by dw406904 - 2012-01-15 09:01:31

I waited 6 wks., then started playing again, 3-4 times wkly.,I'm now 2 1/2 yrs., haven't been hit square on the pm w/ a elbow yet, but my cardiologist said don't worry, once it heals, its really in there good...I don't notice it while playing, it did take several adjustments to get it right so my wind was as good as before, ...

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But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.