Ask Dr. Dot

Overcoming injury

Dot Richardson, star of the gold-medal-winning 1996 U.S. softball team and a member of the '99 national squad, is also an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles. Gerard Rancinan

Have other athletes experienced sluggishness when they were on birth control pills?
Danielle Bertrand, Lakeville, Conn.

Yes, other athletes have felt sluggish and even gained weight while on birth control pills. Because the pill regulates hormones, it is not uncommon for women taking it to experience emotional and physical changes. Ask your doctor to prescribe a different pill and search until you find one that doesn't have adverse effects on you.

During my last softball game, the umpires yelled at my team because my catcher's mask did not have a throat guard. Is there a rule stating that I have to wear one, and what is it supposed to do?
Ashley Goforth, Tampa

It's important for a catcher to be thoroughly protected, so most leagues do require a mask with a throat protector, which prevents balls from hitting the catcher in the throat.

How can you offer encouragement to a teammate who has suffered a season- or career-ending injury without sounding pitying? Can teammates help a player come to terms with her loss, or at least gain an understanding of it?
Julie Detjen, Appleton, Wis.

An injury can be devastating not just to the athlete but also to her teammates. Everyone senses a loss, and the worst thing to do is ignore the athlete or the situation. Even if your teammate makes it hard to reach out to her, it's important to be supportive because, deep inside, she doesn't want to be alone. Eventually, she'll have to come to terms with the injury and realize that, like all athletes, her time on the playing field is limited. What she should also keep in mind is that even after her career is over, the memories and lessons of playing can last a lifetime.

I play coed and women's slo-pitch softball, and my passion for the sport is strong. But I want to know why some players get so upset—and even cry—when they lose or make an error. I'm shocked by this behavior every time.
Lupe Navarro, Oxnard, Calif.

Players get upset for different reasons. While standing on the Olympic podium after winning the gold medal in softball, in 1996, I found myself crying. I was overwhelmed by the idea that I was sharing my dream with millions! Unfortunately, sometimes we see athletes cry because they've lost. That's just bad sportsmanship. And if a player cries after an error, she is probably setting herself up for another error. As athletes we must learn to play with one emotion: that of celebration of the spirit of competition.

I just resumed track practice after a week of illness. I ended up losing nine pounds while I was sick, and I am seriously behind in conditioning. Is there anything I can do to speed up recovery?
Nicole Hansen, Edgewood, N.Mex.

One thing we don't do enough of is listen to our bodies. It is important after a serious illness to recognize the need to allow yourself enough time to recover fully. With the stresses in our lives, we need to tackle them head-on with sound mind, soul and body. A nine-pound loss is significant. You need rest, a balanced diet and time to get back in shape. Some victories are worth the wait!

What's the best treatment for a sprained ankle that just won't heal?
-Laura Parks, Vernon, British Columbia

First, you need to find out why it won't heal. If you immediately treated the ankle with rest, ice, and compression and underwent physical therapy with strength and proprioception exercises (to hone your perception of the motion and position of your body in space) and six to twelve months later it still isn't 100 percent, you need to see an orthopedist. If loose ligaments are the problem, the last option might be surgery to tighten them.

In the meantime, be sure to give your ankle ample support: Steer clear of high-heeled shoes; consider wearing an ankle sleeve, wrap, or brace; and pay careful attention when walking on uneven surfaces. Most important, know your limits: If it still hurts, skip the workouts and get the treatment you need.

I am the proud aunt of three bright, athletic girls (two in high school—a junior and a sophomore—and one in junior high). I want to help them tap into any athletic scholarship opportunities that are out there but I don't know where to begin. Can you help?
-Carolyn La Rocca, Los Angeles

Both athletic and academic scholarships are available, and usually the girls who get them are those who love what they do. Why? This love drives them to practice harder and dream of being the best they can be. If your nieces want to go to certain schools, my advice would be for them to let the coaches at those schools know they're interested. Tell them to write a letter to each coach and include their game schedules, along with a videotape of themselves in action as well as an invitation to watch them play.

College "camps" are another great option to explore. These camps provide young athletes a chance not only to learn more about a sport but to gain exposure to the coach and the university. Have your nieces contact the schools they're interested in to find out about specific camps.

For any athlete, my best advice is this: Follow your heart and your desire to play. If you're interested in competing at the collegiate level, don't let anything get in your way—not even lack of a scholarship. Some of the best college athletes were walk-ons who weren't "discovered" until after they made the team, like UCLA softball player Barbara Young.

 
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