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The daily Brett Favre reports, rumors, regurgitation may be painful, but I'd still rather discuss the intricate details of recovering from a fractured testicle. I respect the medical profession tremendously. They're a brave bunch, and in most cases work awfully hard to ensure our good health. However, if there's one complaint it's that they spend an awful lot of time in reporting the obvious.
Watching the evening news for a week and three of those days you'll get a medical observation something along the lines of: "A study from the Common Sense U. has revealed that being run over by a truck is hazardous to your health and could cause long term back problems. It is recommended to you look both ways before crossing the street." Why thank you.
Along those lines, yesterday we were enlightened with news that testicle fractures are no only very painful, but are difficult to recover and overcome from a mental standpoint. You don't say? Chris Snyder greatly appreciates this information.
Still, a testicular fracture is not something that is easily shaken off. In simple terms, a testicular fracture involves a "crack" in the testicle; the organ retains its shape, but it is damaged. Though different from a testicular rupture, which involves a complete hemorrhage of the testicle, a fracture in this delicate organ can be extraordinarily painful -- and may even require surgery, in many cases.
"It is indeed extraordinarily painful," said Dr. Mark Litwin, professor of urology and public health at the University of California at Los Angeles. Litwin adds that the natural vulnerability of testicles is "one of these anatomical curiosities med students never understand."
"The placement of ovaries makes sense. ... [Testicles] are in the worst place you could put them. They really are in harm's way." Whether Snyder will be able to reconcile the pain of his injury when he crouches back behind the plate will likely be apparent with his reaction to potentially troublesome pitches, Lardon noted. "If it is PTSD, we see avoidance," he said.
"Avoidance is the natural inclination to avoid putting yourself in the same situation again."
But Llewellyn said he believes that any initial tendencies toward avoidance for Snyder should work themselves out quickly. "When he initially starts back, he may flinch a time or two," he said. "But these are strong guys mentally; once things get going I don't think it will be an issue."
I remain stunned that the Diamondbacks catcher is coming back at all. Pretty sure as soon as soon as the first pitch was headed my way behind the plate, I'd bolt directly to the back of the clubhouse, huddle in a corner and see if any AL teams would consider me as a DH.
From the too much information department, and because I'm cruel, I thought you'd enjoy this anecdote from a doctor who suffered the same injury:
Few people are as familiar with this concept than D.J. St. James of San Rasael, Calif. St. James was a freshman wrestler competing at a high school tournament six years ago. During one match, he was performing a single leg takedown on his opponent when he sustained a sudden and surprising injury.Sorry about that. But hey, there is good news for those who must endure a fracture of this sort:
"When he fell down, his foot came up between my legs," St. James said. "His foot exploded my testicle."St. James didn't realize the extent of his injury at first. He finished the match with a victory. But the seriousness of the situation soon hit.
"After I walked off the mat, I fell to the ground when I felt the pain," he recalled. "I can't describe how much it hurt. ... It swelled up bigger than my fist."
"This injury and prompt repair should have no effect on his fertility or his sex life... "HIYO! Doctors aren't only trained in stating the obvious, they're also comedians.
[...]
"Really, dealing with the aftermath gets intense," St. James said. "It is something that people talk about and joke about, and I've learned to have a sense of humor about it."
And it's something that Snyder may also have to endure, Llewellyn said. "I think his major task will be dealing with the things the batters have to say to him."
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