Kieran Foran’s surgeon will rebuild broken playmaker with another operation
With his career on the line, Kieran Foran has a huge decision to make regarding his next step of recovery, but the surgeon who saved Billy Slater’s career might be able to make the choice a lot easier.
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The shoulder surgeon who saved the career of Melbourne Storm superstar Billy Slater says he can do the same for luckless Canterbury Bulldogs star Kieran Foran.
Dr John Trantalis operated on Foran last week and later declared the million-dollar playmaker will return at 100 per cent fitness if he undergoes a second round of surgery.
Foran, however, is facing a huge decision about the next step of his recovery.
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“Not only did he dislocate the shoulder, but he tore off his rotator cuff as well,” Dr Trantalis told The Sunday Telegraph.
“He’s had one problem fixed to stop it popping out again but he’s tossing up whether to get the rotator cuff fixed as well.
“That recovery is a lot longer and took Billy Slater 12 months.
“So he’s got to decide whether to battle on the way it is and get back to football next year and cope with the pain and do his best. That way’s a lot faster.
“He’s off contract next year and it’s a big issue because he wants to play as soon as possible.”
The 29-year-old five-eighth or halfback will decide over the weekend with Canterbury’s medical staff. He’s desperate to play next year to show the Bulldogs and rival clubs that he deserves another contract.
“There’s no question he can come back,” Dr Trantalis said, “He’s had ongoing issues with the shoulder but he’s got the potential to make a full recovery.
“He’s just got to decide which way to go. I found him very motivated to continue playing and there’s no reason he can’t and have a good positive end to his career.
“The difficulty is his contract situation.”
Foran remains in an upbeat mood despite yet another injury setback.
By the end of next year he will have missed 70 games in five seasons.
“This isn’t about the money,” Foran said. “It’s about playing a game I love for another few years and to achieve what I set out to do when I first started in rugby league.”
Dr Trantalis saved Slater’s career when most thought the champion Storm fullback had no hope of playing again.
“I hadn’t seen a worse case in a footballer,” Dr Trantalis said
“It’s usually a major trauma to rip off the tendon like Billy did. Like a really bad car accident.
“I was optimistic I could get his shoulder better but I was concerned it may be career-ending.
“He was in a bad way and couldn’t even hold his arm up.”
He credits Slater for showing an extraordinary commitment to his rehabilitation.
“He is the best rehab patient I’ve ever had,” Dr Trantalis said.
“The commitment he showed. Wow. The motivation. Fantastic.”