NRL casualty ward Round 19: Horror injury toll as finals loom
The Sharks have been decimated by injury on the eve of the NRL finals, with two of their major concerns even likely to be struggling to make the start of the 2021 season in March.
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A catastrophic week for serious injuries in the NRL was headlined by an Achilles rupture to Shaun Johnson.
Going down untouched while pushing off to sprint, the Sharks star halfback was carted from the field with his 2020 season over.
Johnson will require surgery with a usual recovery time of 5-8 months. With six months until the 2021 season kicks off he will be pushing through rehab in the offseason in an effort to be fit for Round 1.
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Recovery from an Achilles rupture is often considered more challenging than an ACL reconstruction, as the long tendon healing time plus significant loss in strength makes for slow and steady progress.
The good news for Johnson is 80-90% of players are able to return to their pre-injury performance levels, however this is usually not until the second season back. His acceleration (burst) and speed will be most affected in the short term, but re-rupture rates are quite low (approximately 5%).
The news didn’t get any better for the Sharks with both Royce Hunt and Josh Dugan leaving the field with knee injuries. Hunt’s is the more severe of the two, suffering a patellar tendon rupture.
Re Shaun Johnson’s achilles rupture:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 19, 2020
- 80-90% of players able to return to pre-injury performance, but usually not til 2nd season back
- Acceleration (burst) & speed most affected in short term
- Age (>30YO) does slightly â¬†ï¸ risk of not being able to return to peak performance pic.twitter.com/jj58qSIPKh
This is a complete tear of the tendon that attaches the kneecap to the lower leg, and along with an Achilles rupture is regarded as one of hardest injuries to come back from. He will be facing a 6-9 month recovery period, with his best form not likely returning until at least 2022.
Dugan was hit heavily in a tackle midway through the second half and was able to soldier on with the assistance of strapping, but was pulled before the end of the game. He will go for scans with another season ending injury for the Sharks a distinct possibility.
Concern by video for medial elbow ligament sprain, possible subluxation (minor dislocation) for John Bateman with forced hyperextension. Was able to finish the game, but will get more painful as it cools down. Unless significant instability/fracture should be able to play through pic.twitter.com/HyoGfY4bzg
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 20, 2020
BATEMAN SET TO PLAY ON IN PAIN
There is concern by video for medial elbow ligament sprain, possible subluxation (minor dislocation) for John Bateman with forced hyperextension.
He was able to finish the game, but the injury will get more painful as it cools down. Unless there is significant instability/fracture he should be able to play through.
SEASON OVER FOR RTS
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s 2020 season came to an end a week early after suffering a hamstring strain.
Even a minor strain would rule him out next week.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s 2020 season comes to an end a week early after suffering a hamstring strain. Usual non-contact sprinting mechanism, but interesting change of direction rather than more common straight line running. Even minor strain would rule him out next week pic.twitter.com/dr58yeTGDi
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 20, 2020
TOMMY TURBO INJURED AGAIN
After spending the past 11 weeks rehabbing a hamstring strain the long awaited return of Tom Trbojevic was over not long after it began. Turbo landed heavily on his outstretched arm in attempting to make a tackle, and whilst initial reports suggested a suspected stinger he was unable to finish the game.
Post match the Sea Eagles indicated there was concern for a significant rotator cuff injury or shoulder joint damage, but thankfully scans cleared the Manly fullback of any significant damage that would require surgery.
He will definitely miss the final round of the 2020 regular season, but this news is promising for his potential involvement in the Origin series for New South Wales in six weeks.
Whilst the Sea Eagles have stopped short of giving the specific nature and severity of Trbojevic’s issue, there are very few non-operative shoulder injuries that would require longer than six weeks recovery time.
TIGERS SET TO LOSE ALOIAI LONG-TERM
Josh Aloiai added to the long term injury list after suffering a suspected ACL rupture. During a simple hit up the Tigers front rower performed the slightest change of direction before his right knee gave way beneath him.
The injury occurred prior to contact, which is always a worrisome sign when it comes to knee injuries. Post match the indication was the medical team suspected a complete rupture of the ACL, which like the Achilles is easily diagnosed via hands on testing in the sheds. Aloiai will likely be facing reconstruction surgery, which involves 6-9 months rehab to allow a safe return to play.
FIFITA INJURY WORSE THAN FIRST THOUGHT
David Fifita’s ankle injury is worse than first thought, with scans revealing a significant syndesmosis injury after initial word the Broncos were hopeful it was just a minor sprain.
Fifita will visit a surgeon to decide if he requires surgery, which is likely considering the importance of the syndesmosis joint (high ankle) in change of direction contact sport.
Whilst there has been reported concern for his State of Origin availability, if Fifita wishes to play it is unlikely undergoing surgery will prevent him from doing so. The usual return to play time after syndesmosis tightrope repair surgery is 6-8 weeks, and with just over six weeks until Game 1 it is likely he will be fit to play at some stage throughout the series.
This will be the first of many interesting injury scenarios this offseason; with a shortened break between Origin and season 2021 clubs may have a difficult conversation with certain players who are in contention for Origin selection but carrying injury or require surgery.
With Fifita signing a mega-deal with the Titans for next season the Gold Coast club may prefer their star recruit to skip Origin and take his time with rehab over the offseason.
NRL CLUBS HAMSTRUNG
Hamstring strains seemed contagious this week, with several clubs affected by the most commonly occurring injury in the NRL.
Suliasi Vunivalu and Corey Thompson both failed to finish their respective games after suffering what appeared to be minor strains. Vunivalu is of most concern considering this is his third hamstring strain in the past 12 months. The Storm will have to be cautious with his return to play
Charlie Staines, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Euan Aitken, Adam Clune and Tex Hoy were all ruled out of contention for selection after suffering hamstring strains during the week. Whilst all can expect to miss at least 10-14 days with a best case minor strain, Staines and Aitken are once again of most concern considering their recent history with similar hamstring injuries
Matt Moylan is said to be still at least a month away from returning as he continues rehab from a grade two hamstring strain. Moylan has significant troubles with hamstring issues over the past three years, and is a prime example of the profound negative impact repetitive hamstring strains can have on a player’s career.
BROWN EYES FINALS RETURN
Dylan Brown has resumed running on the Alter-G (gravity assisted) treadmill as he continues recovery from syndesmosis repair surgery. As initially expected he is aiming for a best case return date of the second week of finals, which would be six weeks post surgery.
RAIDERS HOLD FEARS FOR FRACTURE
Curtis Scott is still experiencing pain in his lower leg, which is located around a surgical plate on his fibula from surgery years ago. The Raiders are concerned there may be a fracture underneath the plate, but have been unable to get a clear view on X-Ray or MRI.
If pain persists Scott will require surgery to remove the plate and allow an unobstructed view of the fibula. This would unfortunately mean his season is over. An increased fracture risk does exist around surgical hardware; in some cases it is removed as a precaution after adequate bone healing has occurred.
GLASBY FORCED INTO RETIREMENT
Finally thoughts are with Tim Glasby this week after he was forced into early retirement due to issues with repeated concussions. The Knights forward suffered lingering concussion symptoms after a head knock in Round 7 this year, and has been forced to step away from the game in the best interests of his health.
Another example that whilst most concussions allow a return within 1-2 weeks for NRL players, when dealing with injury to the brain there can be prolonged issues and a complex recovery process. We wish him the very best with further recovery in retirement.
Originally published as NRL casualty ward Round 19: Horror injury toll as finals loom