injuryupdate
12-03-2004, 11:00 AM
Queensland Reds forward Fletcher Dyson has had surgery on a (relatively) minor fracture-dislocation to the cervical spine and will be forced into retirement. Whilst there was never any question of permanent spinal damage with this injury, he has suffered from spinal canal stenosis which forced him to miss most of the 2003 Super 12 season. His retirement comes months after Ben Darwin of the ACT Brumbies was given no option after suffering transient quadriplegia in the World Cup semi-final. The question of whether to play on after serious neck injuries is a difficult one, but understandably one in which doctors and players must err on the side of extreme caution because of the serious consequences of getting the decision wrong. The Waratahs' Matt Rogers has been cleared of a serious ankle injury and will continue playing, whereas the Blues' Carlos Spencer will miss at least a month with a fractured jaw.