The Story of David Wright and Spinal Stenosis

A Career of Greatness

David Wright’s name will forever be etched in the hearts of New York Mets fans. Known as one of the franchise’s all-time greats, Wright spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Mets, debuting in 2004. Quickly rising through the ranks, he was heralded as one of the premier third basemen of his era. Over the course of his career, Wright was honored with seven All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, and two Silver Slugger Awards. More than just his stats, Wright embodied leadership and heart, eventually being named captain of the team—a role that earned him the beloved nickname “Captain America.”

Yet, despite his talent and dedication, Wright’s career was cut short by a chronic and painful condition: spinal stenosis, which severely impacted his ability to play and, ultimately, led to his early retirement.

The Hidden Struggle: Living with Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a serious condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts intense pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can lead to severe pain, weakness, and loss of mobility—symptoms that would prove devastating to any athlete, let alone one playing at baseball’s highest level.

Though Wright first suffered a stress fracture in his lower back in 2011, he pushed through and continued to perform at an elite level. However, over time, the damage worsened, culminating in relentless pain that affected even basic baseball movements like swinging, throwing, and fielding.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis doesn’t develop overnight. It’s often a gradual process caused by various factors, such as:

  • Degenerative wear and tear over time, commonly seen in aging athletes.
  • Osteoarthritis, which can create bone spurs that narrow the spinal canal.
  • Herniated discs, where damaged discs press against nerves.
  • Ligament thickening, reducing space within the spine.
  • Injuries, including those sustained from repetitive sports movements.
  • Congenital conditions, where some individuals are born with narrower spinal canals, making them more susceptible.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common signs of spinal stenosis include:

  • Persistent back or neck pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the limbs
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
  • Pain that worsens when standing or walking for long periods

To diagnose the condition, specialists typically rely on imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, sometimes combined with nerve tests like electromyography (EMG).

Treatment Options

While spinal stenosis often cannot be fully cured, a variety of treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve function:

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility
  • Pain management medications, such as NSAIDs and muscle relaxants
  • Steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation
  • Lifestyle adjustments, including limiting activities that aggravate the condition

Surgical Options (for severe cases)

  • Laminectomy, which removes parts of bone to relieve nerve pressure
  • Spinal fusion, stabilizing the spine by joining vertebrae
  • Foraminotomy, widening spaces where nerves exit the spine

Baseball’s Physical Toll: Why Players Like Wright Are at Risk

Baseball demands a repetitive range of movements that can place enormous stress on the spine:

  • Batting: The torque generated when swinging at high-speed pitches puts repeated strain on the lower back, wearing down spinal discs over time.
  • Throwing: High-velocity throws, particularly from infield positions like third base, require sudden, powerful rotations that can exacerbate spinal issues.
  • Fielding: Quick lateral movements, combined with bending and twisting to field balls, add further strain to already compromised spinal structures.

For Wright, the combination of these repeated stresses—over hundreds of games—made managing spinal stenosis an insurmountable challenge in the long run.

The Farewell of a Franchise Icon

Despite his determination to fight through the pain, Wright ultimately announced his retirement in 2018. On September 29, 2018, he took the field one final time to an emotional standing ovation at Citi Field, a fitting tribute to a player who had given everything to the game and his team.

David Wright’s story is one of both greatness and resilience. His struggle with spinal stenosis highlights the hidden toll professional sports can take on an athlete’s body—and the extraordinary willpower required to push through it for as long as he did. Though his career was shortened, his legacy as one of the Mets’ greatest leaders and players remains unshaken.

Healthpointe specializes in physical healthcare, and we have an extensive roster of board certified physicians who are well suited to help with pain management. Our team can help assist you with prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments. Fill out this form to set up an appointment.

We also offer texting services! Give us a call or text us to schedule an appointment today at (714) 367-5390.

We have locations in Anaheim, Colton, Corona, Garden Grove, Irwindale, La Mirada, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Perris, and Temecula.


Brain Injuries and You

Brain Injuries and You

The mind is an delicate and complicated piece of art. With it, we can make art, figure out problems,  and  power the remarkable machine that is the human body: a self-healing, regenerating computer. However, there is always deep concern that it may break due to injury, thus affecting how the body moves and acts. In order to understand how brain injuries can change our body, we need understand how the brain that control movement. We will look at two parts of the brain in particular.

Anatomy

The Cerebellum: In the base of the brain. Also known as “Little Brain,” it contains about 50% of the neurons in the brain. It is the most significant contributor to motor function in the human body. Synapses are formed within the cerebellum that travel through the motor cortex and into the spinal column. The designated functions of the cerebellum are entirely motion oriented, and it operates at an unconscious level. The cerebellum also controls and maintains equilibrium and balance, influences posture, influences muscle tone, and helps to coordinate movement. It consists of a highly complex layer of cortex beneath a layer of white matter. It also plays a vital role in regulating neurotransmitter circuits for norepinephrin and serotonin.

The Basal Ganglia: Located in the left side of the skull. These structures have a vital impact on movement, as they affect and control balance, posture, and fine motor skills. Damage to the basal ganglia can occur in the development of various conditions that can have an intense physical impact.

Kinds of Injuries

Here are some common causes of brain injuries:

  • CTE and other sports injuries.
  • Exposure to toxic pollutants.
  • Lack of oxygen.
  • Physical damage from violence, motor vehicle collisions, etc.
  • Shaken baby syndrome.
  • Strokes and other forms of internal bleeding.

How Brain Injuries Can Affect the Body

More than 200 years ago, scientists studied the cerebellum by comparing differences in behavior after sustaining cerebellar damage. They found that cerebellar damage would often cause people to experience difficulties with walking, maintaining balance, and fine motor control. Cerebellar damage also causes them to experience difficulty with understanding of spatial awareness and time. Damage to the cerebellum can have devastating effects that could lead to paralysis or other quality of life issues.

While damage to the cerebellum can lead to paralysis, damage to the basal ganglia can result in various physical ailments characterized by spontaneous movement. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Dystonia: Causes the muscles to involuntarily contract and twist.
  • Chorea: Irregular involuntary movements, unexpected muscle contractions, rhythmic jerking, and abrupt involuntary movements.
  • Athetosis: Involuntary, slow, writhing movements. Intense pain and increased symptoms with controlled movement or attempts to improve posture. People suffering from atheosis also experience difficulty speaking and are unable to stand.

Recovery

The brain is capable of incredible miracles. Through rehabilitation aided by neuroplasticity, the brain’s incredible ability to heal itself, there is a way forward.

There are 5 popular forms of rehabilitation for brain injuries:

  • Acute Rehabilitation: Occurs immediately after a brain injury. Usually takes place in a specific unit of a trauma hospital or other inpatient settings. Focused towards regaining the ability perform the activities of daily living.
  • Post-Acute Rehabilitation: Occurs in transitional rehab facilities. It is aimed at helping the patient regain their independence. Sessions usually last up to 6 hours.
  • Sub-Acute Rehabilitation: Intended for patients that need less intensive care or are further along in their rehabilitation.
  • Day treatment: Structured, sometimes group setting physical rehab. This form of treatment takes place between inpatient and outpatient rehab, and patients are able to return to their homes at night.
  • Outpatient therapy: This form of care usually follows all other previously listed forms. It’s usually reserved for patients who have made remarkable progress or whose injuries weren’t super intense to begin with. This kind of treatment also includes performing exercises at home. 

For the finest physical therapy and rehabilitation, visit Healthpointe today.

 

Healthpointe specializes in physical healthcare, and we have an extensive roster of board certified physicians who are well suited to help with pain management. Our team can help assist you with prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments. Fill out this form to set up an appointment.

We also offer texting services! Give us a call or text us to schedule an appointment today at (714) 367-5390.

We have locations in Anaheim, Colton, Corona, Garden Grove, Irwindale, La Mirada, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Perris, and Temecula.


5 Questions (and Answers) About Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery at Healthpointe in La Mirada

Going to the doctor, especially for issues regarding the brain or central nervous system, can already be a drag. When confronted with the reality that neurosurgery may be the best treatment option, patients can sometimes feel overwhelmed and fearful about the procedure. To be fair, brain surgery is no joke, but Healthpointe is here to guide your way.

In the spirit of alleviating some anxiety associated with a neurosurgical recommendation, here are responses to some of the most common questions we hear about neurosurgery as a whole.

  1. What is neurosurgery? Neurosurgery, otherwise known as brain surgery, is a general term for surgical procedures of the brain or around the brain. It is generally performed to correct issues such as tumors or aneurysms. These highly precise procedures are performed by neurosurgeons, who receive special training in order to safely complete these procedures. Brain surgery technology has advanced much in recent years, allowing neurosurgeons to perform minimally invasive brain surgery procedures with precision instruments. This, in turn, has reduced the number of brain surgery risks associated with the procedure.
  2. How does neurosurgery work? Well, it depends on the type of brain surgery — yes, there are multiple types! During a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed from the area with the use of a long, thin needle in order to help detect tumors or other abnormalities. A craniotomy involves cutting out a piece of the skull in order to expose the brain, generally used to drain fluids or resolve aneurisms. If the issue is in the area of the brain that controls motor function, speech, or vision, your doctor may recommend awake brain surgery, which is exactly what it sounds like. During this procedure, the patient is awake and numbed down with local anesthetic. The patient is kept awake so the doctors performing the procedure can monitor things like eye movement and memory in order to make sure those actions aren’t impacted during the surgery. This generally only happens in the most critical circumstances.

    This is by no means an exhaustive list, so if your doctor recommends a neurosurgical procedure, don’t be afraid to ask for more detail about what exactly is going to happen to you.

    3. Brain Surgeon

  3. What are some of the risks associated with neurosurgery? Brain surgery is not without its dangers, which is why it’s generally only recommended for serious issues. Bleeding in the brain can occur, and while this can usually be resolved quickly when under medical observation, it can lead to complications. Temporary to long-term amnesia can occur if some nerve damage happens during the surgery. As with any surgery, there’s a risk of infection, which in this case can cause swelling in the brain. Seizures are also somewhat common following a brain surgery.

    Your provider should communicate any risks associated with neurosurgery clearly with you. If you have questions about what may or may not happen as a result of your surgery, be sure to ask your provider for more information.

  4. What does brain surgery recovery look like? Recovery from neurosurgery can be a prolonged process taking several months or more. That said, the goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life, so some perseverance can make the wait worth it. Recovery time is also impacted by the patient’s all-around health prior to the procedure. At Healthpointe, our providers will create a recovery plan specific to your individual needs.

    Generally, patients will be monitored in the hospital for several days following the procedure. During this say, the patient’s responses and blood flow are frequently tested. Lifestyle changes are also often recommended, and can involve things like less stress or a more active lifestyle. Sometimes, doctors will recommend physical therapy after brain surgery to help improve motor function. If there are behavioral changes after surgery, psychological therapy may come into play.

    5. Brain X-Ray

  5. After brain surgery, what is the likelihood that I will need to have another brain surgery? This ultimately depends on so many factors that it’s impossible to give one straight answer. First and foremost, communicate with your provider regarding your individual needs. The doctors working specifically on your case will be the best people to guide you through your long-term treatment. Neurosurgeons consider things like the patient’s need, age, overall health, willingness, and recovery from the first surgery when determining whether another surgery is necessary. That said, for things like brain tumors, where they sometimes reoccur, there is a chance
    that another brain surgery will be recommended.

Do you have more questions about neurosurgery? Are you interested in speaking with one of our doctors about your treatment options? Don’t hesitate — call (888) 824-5540 to request an appointment.


How the Central Nervous System Works

neurosurgery-blog

Have you ever picked up a heavy box incorrectly, and immediately felt pain in your back? While the pain is instant, the length and severity of this injury can vary. But why did you feel this pain so quickly? You can thank your Central Nervous system for that, and while at first this may seem like a hassle, feeling pain is actually a very good thing. If we didn’t feel pain, we might push our bodies to limits they can’t recover from.

According to The University of Queensland, there are two main parts of the nervous system: the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). Today, we will be discussing the CNS, but it is important to note that the PNS relates to the nerves that branch out from the spinal column to the different parts of your body. These nerves send messages back to the CNS, where the entire body is able to communicate.

Neurosurgery-Blog-Spine

The Central Nervous System is comprised of two large areas, which include the spinal cord and the brain. These two areas are critical to how the body communicates with itself, and are guarded by the skull and the bones around the spinal cord. The brain is in control of our thoughts, and is the center of where we process our body’s information.

Based on information from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the brain is comprised of three main parts: the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem. The cerebrum is the large, pink, wavy area of the brain that is most commonly seen in media, and is pictured above. The cerebrum is in control of our senses (sight, smell, etc.) and our abilities to think, learn, and speak. The second part of the brain is the cerebellum, and is located towards the back of the brain. This area is in control of coordination, muscle movements, and balance. The third part of the brain is the brain stem, and this area connects the brain to your spinal cord. The brain stem is what allows messages that have traveled from the spinal cord to be processed within the brain.

Similarly, the spinal cord has different functions that allows your body and brain to communicate about your pain. According to Medical News Today, the three functions of the spinal cord are carrying messages to the brain, carrying messages from the brain to the body, and reflex responses. Reflex responses refer to an action involving our motor reflexes, and they do not require a message to be sent to the brain. An example of this is the knee jerk response that you might be tested for at a doctor’s office.

The spinal cord is comprised of nerve cells, and these cells are in charge of creating movement and sensation throughout the body. As a result, any injury to the spinal cord can result in serious effects to the body, and any break or injury in the spinal cord can damage how the body communicates with itself.

Neurosurgery Brain

So how does the message of constant back pain get to your brain? The answer is actually neurons. According to the Reeve Foundation, neurons send and receive messages to each other along the spinal cord, and eventually, these messages get sent to and within the brain. These messages are constantly being sent, despite if you are making a conscious or unconscious decision to do so. This is possible because there are around 100 billion neurons in the spinal cord and brain, and they are constantly working to make sure your body stays alive and in proper function.

The brain and spinal cord are incredibly sensitive, and thus are prone to extreme injuries. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other incidents can cause significant damage to these areas that can have life altering impacts, and have extreme effects on your quality of life if not treated correctly. Pain management is essential to recovery from brain and spinal cord injuries, and Healthpointe is equipped to help you. We have several doctors who specialize in neurosurgery, spinal surgery, spinal disorders, and much more. Our skilled doctors commonly perform surgeries such as discectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, lumbar spine fusion, and kyphoplasty, so that your condition can be improved.

Careful thought and testing is put into consideration for each procedure, so that the different needs of each patient are met. Click here to find a full list of our doctors, and to see what they have to offer; if you have been recently injured and are still feeling symptoms, you can book an appointment through the Healthpointe website, or call (888) 824-5580 to schedule today.


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