NRL 2023: Medical experts unite in expressing deep concerns about Jarome Luai playing injured

Three leading medical experts have warned star Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai will almost certainly re-injure his shoulder unless he survives 80 minutes without any contact against Storm.

Tyson Frizell with doctor Nathan Gibbs during NSW State of Origin team training the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, Homebush. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Leading sports doctor Nathan Gibbs has warned Penrith that Jarome Luai will almost certainly re-injure his shoulder unless he can somehow last 80 minutes without any contact in Friday’s preliminary final against Melbourne.

Gibbs was joined by a leading orthopaedic surgeon and a well-known physiotherapist with all three experts saying Luai was in the “high risk” category for another dislocation after injuring his shoulder just four weeks ago in a round 26 loss to Parramatta.

The three experts claim that Luai:

● Must avoid solid contact, unlikely given he will be targeted by opponents Melbourne;

● Could become a defensive “liability”;

● Should not play for at least another week, probably a fortnight;

● His shoulder will be more susceptible to being re-injured than the original dislocation;

● Will likely wear a harness across his chest and upper arm to try and stop his shoulder rotating or popping out.

Gibbs, orthopaedic surgeon Michael Johnson, who operates out of Westmead Hospital, and noted physio Brian Seeney have revealed their concerns over Luai despite Penrith boasting one of rugby league’s best high performance and recovery units.

Jarome Luai suffered a dislocated shoulder four weeks ago. Credit: NRL Images.

They agree a dislocated shoulder takes at least six weeks to fully mend with Gibbs, a former Souths and Parramatta player, saying: “He will run onto the field, no problem, but to last the game without re-injury will be unlikely unless he doesn’t do any contact.

“Any solid contact to the shoulder or arm will re-injure it so the only way to avoid re-injury is to avoid contact which could make him a liability, and obviously he will be targeted in defence.

“The issue isn’t that it won’t settle down but rather that bony and cartilage rim injuries don’t repair without surgery so the risk of recurrent instability is very high in a contact sport like NRL.

“The rim injuries never heal well without surgery. I’m sure he is booked for surgery already in the off season.”

Experienced sport doctor Nathan Gibbs says Jarome Luai almost certainly risks re-injuring his should against the Storm. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty

Johnson also expressed his concerns.

“Four weeks, he’s taking a big risk. With the appropriate force, it would be easier (to re-injure) than the first time,” said Johnson, a former Parramatta Eels doctor.

“The tissues take six weeks to completely heal, rehab and get strong enough to keep the shoulder in place. Most people would wait six weeks so there is a chance it will be damaged again. If it pops out again, it would require an operation to put it all back into place.

“They may have him all strapped up and have a harness under his jumper around his chest and upper arm to try and stop it rotating or coming out. If it was the start of the year, it would have been six weeks, minimum.

Jarome Luai a confirmed starter for the Panthers tomorrow night - will be a 4 week return to play after he suffered a dislocated shoulder with labrum (cartilage) damage. Will be at an elevated re-injury risk & likely heavily strapped to limit outer range of movement pic.twitter.com/mBTXr6TEB4

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 20, 2023

“It would have been healing so he might well get away with it. But if it was a Parramatta player, we would have waited six weeks, whether it be the start or end of the season.”

Seeney, who has a social media following of nearly 50,000 on X, also offered up worries over Luai.

“He’s not going to be at 100 per cent, definitely not, and is a high risk of re-injuring or re-dislocating in the game. There’s no physical way he can come back 100 per cent. He won’t have a full range of movement in his shoulder,” Seeney said.

“The usual range is five to six weeks but it took Gareth Widdop four weeks, which is the same time as Jarome Luai. But the reality is, players that come back at four to six weeks are at a significant risk of re-injuring. Penrith is taking a calculated risk by playing him.

“The overall re-dislocation rate for shoulders that don’t undergo surgery is around 50 per cent. For Luai, he only had to get through two games so it limits his exposure to risk.

“The risk is slightly increased in the first couple of weeks because the shoulder will be at its weakest and most painful. Absolutely he’ll be targeted, they (Melbourne) will be throwing everything they can at his left shoulder.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Medical experts unite in expressing deep concerns about Jarome Luai playing injured