Flintoff's posterior impingement

[Flints]

Apologies if you have discussed this elsewhere (I'm new to the forum) but England's Flintoff - of whom I am a big fan - has a bony growth on his ankle (posterior impingement). Surely this needs an operation? Or could it be OK with a couple of weeks rest as some are suggesting? What are the odds of him playing again this season? I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[injuryupdate]

Often this sort of condition improves a lot with a cortisone injection followed by a short rest period. It wouldn't cure the problem, and with pace bowlers surgery at some stage is almost inevitable if the condition is chronic (because it fixes the problem usually for good). However, it may be possible to use an injection to allow him to continue to bowl the season out followed by end of season surgery. Don't know anything about the specific case, but thought I would post this to let you know it is not inevitable that a case of posterior impingement would need immediate surgery.

[Flints]

Thanks a lot.

[Danny]

With injury comes the opportunity for others in the line-up. Lets hope they don't go too well.


McGrath hoping to benefit from Flintoff injury woe
www.cric8.com

Yorkshire batsman Anthony McGrath said on Wednesday he is hoping to resurrect his international career in the forthcoming one-day series with New Zealand and West Indies.
The hard-hitting batsman could be drafted into the England team after all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of the entire series with an ankle injury.

McGrath, who hit the winning runs on his last international one-day appearance against South Africa at Lord's last summer, failed to feature during the winter tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

However, Flintoff's absence gives McGrath and Rikki Clarke an opportunity to impress the England selectors.

"This could possibly be my chance, but the selectors have other options as well and Rikki has come into the squad," McGrath said.

"But hopefully I will get a game at some stage during the series — to be honest I'm just delighted to be involved again and get the chance to stake my claim.

"No matter who you play for, you just want to play and it's always difficult watching no matter what sport you're involved with, but it's always better to be involved," he added.

McGrath admitted he was given plenty of encouragement from coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Michael Vaughan

"It crossed my mind that I may not be involved this summer because you never really know what the selectors are thinking.

"But Duncan (Fletcher) and Michael (Vaughan) told me to try and start well with Yorkshire and see what happens - and I'm just delighted to be in the squad."

England will face New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The final is at Lord's on July 10.

[Flints]

Indeed, they haven't 'gone too well'! In fact, we were all out for 101 yesterday. Get well soon Freddie.

[Danny]

Just an update about Flintoff's injury:


Andrew Flintoff's ankle injury

England stand firm over Flintoff injury

Wisden Cricinfo staff

July 27, 2004


Andrew Flintoff: was cleared to bowl in the first Test

Peter Gregory, England's chief medical officer, has hit back at criticism regarding the handling of Andrew Flintoff's ankle injury.

In an official release, the ECB wanted to clear up what they called "further misguided and unjustified criticism of the management" about the situation. Despite his injury, Flintoff was cleared to bowl in the first Test against West Indies after a cortisone injection, but the England management came under fire for allowing him to do so, with suggestions that Flintoff was needlessly being rushed back in to action.

However, Gregory was quick to point out that wasn't the case, and that the medical staff were carrying out a routine procedure regarding this type of injury, with a break from bowling and then a cortisone injection top the of the doctors orders. "If the first two stages of this process are not successful, then an operation may be required as a last resort," Gregory said. "But we would not want Andrew to undergo surgery unless this was absolutely necessary and it would be irresponsible to carry out this procedure until we have exhausted all available other options."

He added: "Andrew's ankle has responded well to treatment thus far and the risks associated with injection for this condition are far less than for undergoing surgery that would keep him out for a significant period of time.

"We are fully aware of the international programme England face over the next 18 months," he continued, "but elective surgery is not being considered, as the cortisone injection has been effective at present and Andrew continues to bowl pain-free."

Flintoff, who played as a batsman only in the NatWest Series, bowled only 11 overs in the first Test, but still took four crucial wickets in the match, as England won by 210 runs.

© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

[Flints]

Thanks Danny,

I watched the game and he took it easy (about 10mph below normal speed) but was still superb as usual. But it looks to me that he is putting off the inevitable and will have to have an operation sometime. You surely can't go on injecting yourself with cortisone for years. Let's hope it goes well, cos he is the best English all-rounder since Botham by miles, and could become an all-time great.

[sydunisportsmed]

I would agree with the quote above that cortisone injections in the short term followed by an operation at a later date are standard and safe treatments for posterior impingement in a fast bowler.