Very active Daughter

[Kathy Strong]

Hi My 17 year old daughter has just found out she has a AVM on the spine she has been having alot of back pain and muscle spasms with numbness in the fingers and toes. She is very active in sports with Volleyball a setter, basketball, bowling, 800 runner and high jumper and plays softball over the summer from what i read here so far it sounds like those days are over. Our family doctor has never dealt with this and said to let her play we have not talked to the specialist yet. We are scared and worried and need answers she is a college bound volleyball player???? Is she lucky to be walking. We have been doctoring with one pain or another since she was in the 8th grade running cross country but the last two years have been the worst.
Concerned mother

[Steve.Slocum]

Kathy,

Sorry to hear of your situation.

I would suggest personally (not professionally because I'm not legally qualified) that your daughter stop any and all strenuous activity as it is dangerous to create higher blood pressure in the already abnormal and potentially weak veins.

Lucky to be walking, probably. It all depends on the size, location and type of AVM it is.

Sorry to bring only bad news, but political correctness will not provide results. I wish your daughter the best.

~Steve

[manosj22]

So sorry to hear about your daughter. I too had a spinal AVM in my upper back region. The procedure left me with a fused spine. I was paralyzed for roughly two weeks and had to pretty much reteach myself everything. As far as sports go. I was an avid runner before and also played soccer. I am no longer able to do either of these because of the constant pressure it puts on my spine. Although there is not a day that goes by without some sort of pain, I was able to get back into the gym and do light workouts. Keep me posted!