Lance Freezeland
10-03-2008, 10:20 PM
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/EB925A4C3C6250EE862574D700133478?OpenDocument
The only sure thing regarding a season-ending nerve condition
affecting Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter's right shoulder is
that nothing is certain.
Speaking for the first time since Carpenter on Monday decided against
surgery to alleviate nerve compression and scarring, Cardinals medical
supervisor Dr. George Paletta acknowledged that there is no precedent
among retired or active major-league pitchers for Carpenter's
condition.
Because no foundation exists to offer a probability for surgery's
success, Paletta said, Carpenter opted for rest and therapy that
offers a 90 percent chance of pitching next season but no guarantee
against recurrence.
"It's certainly fair to conclude surgery was felt to be more of a
gamble at this point," Paletta acknowledged. "At the same time, it is
fair to conclude there is remaining risk in taking this course because
the underlying problem is still present."
None of three specialists Carpenter visited could assure him that
surgery to address scarring would permanently remedy his condition.
Paletta said it is also likely that scarring would recur, perhaps to a
more serious degree.
--
Lance
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
-- Connie Mack
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The only sure thing regarding a season-ending nerve condition
affecting Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter's right shoulder is
that nothing is certain.
Speaking for the first time since Carpenter on Monday decided against
surgery to alleviate nerve compression and scarring, Cardinals medical
supervisor Dr. George Paletta acknowledged that there is no precedent
among retired or active major-league pitchers for Carpenter's
condition.
Because no foundation exists to offer a probability for surgery's
success, Paletta said, Carpenter opted for rest and therapy that
offers a 90 percent chance of pitching next season but no guarantee
against recurrence.
"It's certainly fair to conclude surgery was felt to be more of a
gamble at this point," Paletta acknowledged. "At the same time, it is
fair to conclude there is remaining risk in taking this course because
the underlying problem is still present."
None of three specialists Carpenter visited could assure him that
surgery to address scarring would permanently remedy his condition.
Paletta said it is also likely that scarring would recur, perhaps to a
more serious degree.
--
Lance
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
-- Connie Mack
----== Posted via Pronews.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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