injuryupdate
12-03-2004, 10:08 PM
Key Melbourne Storm playmaker Matt Orford has a small brain clot found on a routine scan after a concussive episode. Read more at Foxsports. The player, club and doctor face one of the worst dilemmas that can present in sports medicine. Orford is likely to become symptom free within a matter of weeks, as the area of damage is reported to be very small. However, the question of whether he is at increased risk of a far greater injury if he returns to play contact sport is probably very difficult to answer. In the past, when faced with questions like this that don't have a definite answer, specialists have generally erred on the side of caution and recommended that players should not play contact sports. However, when it involves a player's career being put into jeopardy, he will probably want to play again if the symptoms resolve quickly and doctors admit they aren't sure about the exact risks. No doubt multiple opinions will be obtained. The latest indication is that Orford may be cleared to return to play early in the year.