The six nations provided the usual mix of dazzling highs and disappointing lows and, unsurprisingly, a pretty high injury rate. I didn’t manage to catch all of the games between having to gain clinic experience and exams/coursework, but I did watch the awesome Wales vs Scotland game at the Millennium Stadium that unfortunately saw Scotland’s Thom Evans suffer a spondylolisthesis to his cervical spine.
A spondylolisthesis refers to the slippage of part or all of one vertebra on another which can lead to compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves. It is rare for this to occur as a traumatic injury and it normally occurs to the lumbar spine, however it is possible for it affect any area of the spine. Initially Thom was unable to move his legs but he hasn't suffered any lasting paralysis and is now back in light training. Former Lions team doctor, and current team doctor for Scotland, James Robson suggested that any further movement of his spine could have resulted in paralysis or even death. He went on to say it was the worst injury he had ever seen – which says a lot for someone in his position. Thom himself believes that he owes his life to the treatment he received from the medical staff - to read an account of the injury from Thom's perspective check out this article very interesting reading... Also have a look at this excellent article from the Scotsman which gives information about the two operations Thom has had and also the rehabilitation necessary from this injury.
Whilst injuries to the likes of David Beckham and Ashley Cole make the headlines because of the profile of the players, this injury highlights the inherent risks involved with rugby but also the excellent quality of care provided by the medical staff. Because of the lack of first aid courses that address the specific nature of the injuries experienced in rugby the RFU developed the Rugby Pitch Side Immediate Trauma Care Course that meets the needs of both doctors and Sport Therapists/Physiotherapists working within rugby. The bottom line is you cannot work at the top level in Rugby without this qualification and the game is better for it.
On the plus side at least Thom had company in hospital after the game as Chris Patterson (hospitalised with bruising to his kidney) and Rory Lamont (MCL Tear) joined him in Cardiff University Hospital that evening... Plus he gets to listen to the support from his more famous cousin on his radio show over the course of his rehabilitation. We wish Thom all the best in his recovery and look forward to seeing him on the pitch again next season.
With all the talk about player size and potential rule changes to try and stem the tide of injuries amongst elite rugby players it was interesting to compare and contrast my game last weekend with the u12’s and my games this weekend with the first and second xv.
I blogged last week that I had spent an enjoyable day in the sun - this weekend was very different and it wasn’t just the weather. The u12’s are very much still learning to play rugby and as such it is a totally different game, they also lack the size and strength to do themselves any real damage, plus physiologically at this age they are less likely to injure themselves.
Watching the first and second team this weekend the size difference between players is markedly evident and the game more closely follows the professional game with more time spent in contact and bigger, harder hits de rigueur. The injury count from this weekend was quite impressive. At the start of the game there were already limited subs due to injuries and it didn’t help when I had to stop one of them from being involved with a suspected MCL strain. Ten of the thirty players who started were injured during the course of the game plus there were two more serious injuries to opposition players (gleno-humeral subluxation and suspected clavicle fracture) it was the most challenging 80 minutes I’ve had to date.
There are fundamental differences between working in rugby and football and as someone who regularly does both I have to say I much prefer working in amateur rugby as the systems that they have in place ensure that any injured player can receive attention as quickly as possible. To explain: with rugby a sports therapist/physio can come onto the pitch during play, whereas in football you have to wait for the referee to give you permission (unless it is a head injury) to come onto the pitch - which with amateur football can be some time. Not ideal.
Somewhat reminiscent of The Bionic Man, Jonny Wilkinson made a welcome return to Twickenham at the weekend. A confident and assured performance was not enough to insure England’s victory but it was enough for many to believe that he can finally turn the corner and put his injury nightmare behind him. Perhaps more remarkable than his performance is the journey that led to Jonny lining up at Twickenham for the first time since the 2008 Six Nations and his first autumn international since 2002.
Winning the RWC in 2003 should have been the catalyst for a long and illustrious career, instead it was the start of a six-year run of injuries that has threatened to end his career and overshadow his prodigious talent. Jonny’s injuries include:
Dec 2003 Fractured right shoulder (3 weeks)
Feb 2004 C4 and C5 vertebrae compression and nerve damage Shoulder and neck surgery (28 weeks) Oct 2004 Right bicep haematoma (6 weeks)
Jan 2005 MCL tear left knee (8 weeks)
Mar 2005 MCL tear left knee (4 weeks)
Jul 2005 Stinger right shoulder (8 weeks)
Sep 2005 Inflamed appendix followed by appendectomy (4 weeks)
Nov 2005 Gilmore’s groin followed by surgery (8 weeks)
Jan 2006 Torn adductor (12 weeks)
Sep 2006 MCL tear right knee (4 weeks)
Nov 2006 Lacerated Kidney (6 weeks)
Feb 2007 Hamstring tear (6 weeks)
Sep 2007 Lateral ankle injury (1 week)
May 2008 Shoulder surgery (unspecified)
Oct 2008 Dislocated patella (20 weeks)
What impresses me most about Jonny is his motivation and desire to return to the game he loves time after time. From the interviews I’ve seen he cuts a more relaxed figure these days and seems to be enjoying his rugby, which by his own omission, has often been difficult for him to do.
Welcome back Jonny.
On a personal note it has been a good week, I’ve had 4 matches (2 football and 2 rugby) and I have been relatively unscathed by the advancing winter weather; I’m sure the coming weeks won’t be so kind!
It was good to get out for my first rugby matches of the season and, compared to some of the games that I have worked at, it was a quiet day at the office. I have also started some observation work with one of Arsenal’s physios and am looking to finalise another great opportunity in the coming days. More about this later…
