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philosopher · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: Therapy or Enhancement

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjpgMtYm23fB7CNzTv6zIKE5nYcB?slug=jp-synvisc092106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Randy Johnson admits to taking injections in his knees to replace the viscosity lost due to osteoarthritis. I've heard it called by several different names, including synvisc, the name under which I received the injections. For me the injections forestalled knee replacement for 7 years. Eventually, the injections failed to reduce pain and increase my mobility and the knee had to be replaced.

The question in the article above is probably not a vital one, but it does address MLB and the definition of drugs.

Read the article, make up your own mind. For me, the synvisc was a performance enhancing drug. What's your opinion, and why?

Used to be VOR · Hall of Fame Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 5639

As a former pitcher, and a recipient of numerous cortisone injections in my life... I would think it falls under that category. Technically a cortisone injection contains steroids, but those injects are incredibly common in every sport.
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SFL89 · Junior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 496 Location: Upstate SC

So much of the definition of "performance enhancing" is murky. Personally, I don't think it should be classified as performance enhancing, any more than taking Tylenol or ibuprofen. It's a therapy or repair, and I don't see anyone saying "Nope, can't play on an artificial knee, it's enhanced compared to your original knee". It also only has a local effect and not systemic (all over the body). Asthmatics can take drugs that allow them to breathe (I guess bringing them to comparatively "normal" function), yet if a healthy sprinter takes the same drug, it's banned (because of other non-breathing effects).

philosopher · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject:

SFL, good point. Bo Jackson actually returned to play MLB after his hip replacement. Stupid move because he wore it out in two years and had to have the replacement replaced and now is a hobbling shell of a former athlete. I can tell you, though, that a replacement is no enhancement on the original equipment. You're constantly aware of it, and if semi-intelligent, striving not to overstress the prosthesis.

Still, synvisc may not be systemic, but it is an artificial enhancement, IMO. I also think anyone who plays at the elite level while relying on synvisc, or any of its relatives, is nuts. The damage being done only makes the suffering later that much more intense.