Salvador says he had inner-ear infection

Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador said today that he had an inner-ear infection and has been cleared to resume playing.

Salvador will not play in tonight's game against the Rangers, but expects to be ready for Tuesday's game in St. Louis, where he played for seven seasons before being traded to the Devils in February.

Salvador skated this morning with the scratches for tonight's game and the coaches. It was the third time he was on the ice since he was cleared medically to resume physical activity.

It remains unclear whether his ear problem was related to the shot he took in the face from Pittsburgh's Alex Goligoski on Dec. 10.

"Whether it had anything to do with the puck in the face or not, we really don't know," Salvador said. 

The Devils were mysteriously calling Salvador's ailment an "upper body injury". Salvador said he started to feel pain in his ear "three or four days after" he was hit in the face. "Exactly when it happened is hard to tell because I was in pain anyway from being hit," he said.

Salvador played four games after he was hit.  Although there was some initial concern that he might have a concussion, Salvador said he never thought it was one.

"I played and I felt fine," he said. "But my ear was bothering me. It kind of felt like when you fly and you try to pop it."

Salvador said the pain got worse after he flew to Toronto and Buffalo for the Devils' games on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. "There was definitely pressure building in the ear," he said.

He played only two periods in the Buffalo game before sitting out the third. He hasn't played since.

"I judge things on whether I'm able to protect myself and I felt a little dizzy and it affected my balance a little bit," he said. "That was when we felt it was time to look into it."

Salvador said the team doctors looked at his ear and "they weren't seeing anything. That was when we decided to see a specialist."

Salvador saw an ear specialist on Dec. 18. That was when it was determind he had an inner-ear infection.

Now, he just has to get his conditioning back.

"I hadn't skated for six or seven days," he said.

He feels there will be enough time to be ready for the game against the Blues.

"Inner-ear infection or no inner-ear infection, I really want to play in that game," he said.

Comments

[Bobby]

If it was an inner ear infection, would be it that crazy for him to play tonight? What kind of ill effects could it have?

[David]

and the staff really couldn't just say that? i hope no other team does this to their fans.

[Tom Gulitti]

I think it's just a matter of his conditioning after not skating or doing any physical activity for a week.

[JJ]

Does what to their fans? What difference does it make whether we know exactly what is going on? We just knew he wasn't playing and now we know why. Seriously, people need to just get over this thing about not disclosing the exact nature of injuries it has been happening for years.

[Speedz]

I agree JJ, we were easily able to continue living regardless of knowing what the injury was. Sure it bothers us being left in the dark, but honestly there's no real reason why they should tell us whats wrong. It's not like we make announcements when we're ailing or injured. Hockey players are regular people too.

[Nick]

Glad to hear Salvador will be back.

[SonicDude]

i agree with david. what bothers me is the way lou thinks he must hide EVERYTHING. it is so unecesssary.

i only want to know what an injury is so i have a clue when to expect the player back.

also, do you think tg and others who cover the devils appreciate not being able to offer their readers any info?

[dali]

Inner-ear infection should be taken preacausiously. It affects your balance and at its worst may cause a permanent balance disorder and deflate your hearing. But this is just the worst-case scenario. Normally (!) it causes nausea and dizziness and such. Every case is unique, though.

And whether it´s an inner-ear infection or any other infection in your head area, one really shouldn´t even consider playing until it´s made sure that the infection has been dealt with. There´s always a risk that the infection spreads, among other things.

And what comes to the team publishing the reason for Salvador´s absence: It isn´t necessarily that simple to do the diagnosis, since the symptoms can be related to dozens of illnesses.

[SonicDude]

dali

you're right, diagnosis is critical, and highly important. but all i'm asking is that ivory tower lou say something other than "upper body injury" or "lower body injury" to describe every injury.

[Scott731]

I'd rather Lou be vague than allow other teams to know where to attack the Devils injuries

[Shari]

http://www.msg.com/overflow/ No HD for tonights game, it's on MSG+2 better start looking early, inner ear infections cause equalibriam(sp?) issues so that is another reason besides conditioning he is taking it easy and not rushing back, i'm just glad it's not a Scott Stevens 2 week flu/concussion situation.

[Dark Prince]

Does anyone know what happened to Doc? He kinda left midway into the 3rd period last night with that bad sore throat. I was surprised he even did the play-by-play to begin with. He's like the Marty Brodeur of broadcasting, will work through anything until he can't take it.

I hope he's ok and comes back quick and better then ever. :)

[Dark Prince]

EDIT: I actually meant that I hope Doc is OK. I knew what happened (wish I could edit that comment and take out that question) I just wanted to wish him well.

[dali]

SonicDude, I see, where you´re coming from, and I wasn´t coming at you with my post. It would be nice to know the exact cause of injuries - from fan´s point of view.

This case is a bit different than "a regular" injury such as the high ankle sprain that Rolston suffered of, os it´s not much of an example of team policy what comes to injuries.

[acne]

I'll correct away grab your rss feed as I can't find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.