NRL 2022: Latrell Mitchell to consult top American doctor in bid to sort out hamstring issues

Latrell Mitchell will head to America to visit one of the world’s top medical specialists, who has worked with Tiger Woods, for advice on his hamstring in a bid to safeguard his NRL career.

NRL R5 South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Accor Stadium - Latrell Mitchell, hamstring injury . Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Souths are flying Latrell Mitchell overseas to consult one of the world’s top medical specialists in a bid to have the Rabbitohs superstar fit for Origin I and safeguard his NRL career.

As Latrell’s brother Shaq prepares to make his NRL debut against Manly on Friday night, News Corp can reveal Mitchell is ‘Coming to America’ with the Rabbitohs ace to depart Australia next week for urgent tests on his damaged hamstring.

Rabbitohs officials confirmed the club was looking at potential destinations in America and Germany as they attempt to expedite Mitchell’s hamstring rehabilitation and ensure he stays on the field once he recovers from his latest setback.

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But the parties have settled on the States. Mitchell will fly out to Philadelphia for a meeting with leading American medico Bill Knowles, a “reconditioning specialist” who has worked with some of the world’s best sporting teams and athletes.

Knowles’ notable athletic clientele includes Tiger Woods, Andy Murray, NFL legend Peyton Manning, English rugby great Jonny Wilkinson, AFL star Nic Naitanui and baseball’s Alex Rodriguez.

Latrell Mitchell hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring against St George Illawarra in Round 5. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The American guru has also consulted for English football giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, England rugby and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Now Mitchell is joining Knowles’ star-studded stable as South Sydney seek the best medical advice in the world to ensure their champion fullback makes a swift return.

It is understood the Rabbitohs are pleased with Mitchell’s progress so far, but want to leave no stone unturned to protect the two-time premiership-winner’s long-term career.

Mitchell first suffered a torn hamstring tendon in his season-ending setback against Parramatta in 2020. He suffered a fresh tear to the same tendon against the Dragons three weeks ago, leaving the Blues matchwinner racing the clock to be fit for NSW’s series opener against Queensland on June 8.

South Sydney head of performance Travis Touma was in charge at the Roosters when the club sent Mitchell’s former NSW teammate Blake Ferguson to visit Knowles.

Souths physio Eddie Farah discussed Mitchell’s hamstring recovery on the Rabbitohs’ website this week. The Origin ace also underwent minor surgery to fix a niggling injury.

Tiger Woods has been among American medico Bill Knowles’ client list. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

“Latrell underwent the knife again to have a clean-out on his knee,” Farah said.

“The hamstring injury allows us some time to clean up a niggling injury. Pleased to report surgery went really, really well.

“Latrell is up and about, bouncing around, and feeling much better already. We just started the rehab process and he has been strengthening that knee as well as the hamstring.

“He is tracking well and on track for a return to play in the middle of the season.”

The Rabbitohs had also investigated another option — sending Mitchell to famous German doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who has treated the likes of Usain Bolt, Ronaldo and David Beckham and Australian duo Sally Pearson and Harry Kewell.

Dubbed ‘Healing Hans’ for his remarkable success rate, the 79-year-old was Bayern Munich’s chief medical officer for 40 years and counts some of the world’s biggest sporting stars and celebrities among his clientele.

NFL great Peyton Manning has also worked with Bill Knowles. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Aside from helping Olympians and the giants of football, Muller-Wohlfahrt has also treated superstar entertainers Bono and Pavarotti for various ailments.

Australians have also gravitated to the German, most notably AFL players Ben Reid, Max Rooke and Collingwood star Jordan De Goey, who visited Healing Hans as he sought to overcome a hamstring problem in the lead-up to the 2019 grand final.

Healing Hans is known for his left-field treatments, having used honey and blood from calves and goats, which he injects into the injury site.

The world’s best athletes swear by his Mad Scientist methods, with Bolt and Pearson lauding his work.

But the Rabbitohs have opted to send Mitchell to Philadelphia. It is unknown how long he will stay, and the precise treatment he will undergo, but South Sydney are confident Knowles will deliver peerless medical advice.

Brisbane-based physiotherapist Brien Seeney, who runs the popular NRL Physio social-media account, believes Mitchell can recover in time to take on the Maroons in Origin I.

“Mitchell’s injury is a partial tear to the hamstring tendon, and unfortunately tendon damage has slower healing times than muscle due to limited blood supply,” Seeney said.

“He required repair surgery on the same hamstring tendon at the end of the 2020 season after he tore it completely off the bone, which further complicates the rehab process.

“His availability for Origin I is looking good at this stage, but with a re-injury rate of up to 30 per cent for this type of injury, Mitchell has got some challenging rehab ahead of him to minimise risk upon return to play.”