Scots star who broke neck should make full recovery

Reporter

Tuesday 28 August 2012

A SCOTTISH international rugby player who broke his neck during a match is expected to be back in action before the end of the season.

anxious MOMENTS: Scottish rugby international Joe Ansbro broke his neck playing for London Irish in a friendly against Munster in Cork on Friday evening. Picture: Billy Stickland

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VICTORIA WELDON

London Irish centre Joe Ansbro broke a small bone at the top of his neck in a friendly in Cork, Ireland, but experts expect him to make a full recovery.

The 26-year-old is being treated in University Hospital in Cork, but is expected to fly home later this week after sustaining the injury in the game against Irish side Munster on Friday night.

Former Scotland international Thom Evans, who was forced to retire after suffering a similar injury, passed on his best wishes to Mr Ansbro.In a post on Twitter, he wrote: "Just woke up to the news of Joe Ansbro. My thoughts are very much with him and his family. I wish him all the best in his recovery."Spinal expert David Allan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and director of the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, said Mr Ansbro's injury was a "relatively common type of fracture".He said: "It's caused by direct pressure, usually on the head, and the most common treatment for it is to immobilise the patient using a metal halo round the head. "We would hope the fracture would heal uneventfully and if he wishes it is possible for him to return to play."Mr Allan added that the injury was different to that suffered by Evans in terms of how it happened and where the fracture is.He said: "It's a much better prognosis for Mr Ansbro."Mr Ansbro's father, Paul, said he was shocked when he heard about his son's injury.He said: "Your blood runs cold when you hear about it and it's something that every parent worries about."But it's a fantastic, rough game and these things, unfortunately, cannot be ruled out."He added that there was "nothing malicious" in his son's injury. He said he had simply dived in to get the ball and came off worse.Mr Ansbro Snr said: "They've put a metal halo on his head that's got to be in place 24/7 for three months. "He was really lucky that it was what they call a stable fracture and there's no nerve damage. That was the thing they were most concerned about; Joe's still got movement in his hands and feet."Scotland team doctor, James Robson, said he expects Mr Ansbro to resume playing in around three months time, meaning he will miss the autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga.Mr Robson said: "The management of the injury Joe has sustained typically involves a period of between six to eight weeks immobilisation then a further four to six weeks of rehabilitation before he can look at a return to the game. We wish Joe well in his recovery."A London Irish spokesman added: "Joe broke a small bone at the top of his neck early in the game's second half. After an MRI scan, it was confirmed that immediate surgery was not required, and the injury would be managed by external fixation."He is in the care of the club's and hospital's medical team and is expected to return to the UK later this week."Ansbro has scored three tries in his 11 Scotland matches, having made his debut against South Africa in 2010. Most recently, he scored Scotland's only try in June's 17-16 victory over Samoa in Apia.Evans was forced to retire from the game on medical advice after also suffering a broken neck. On that occasion, he collided with Wales full-back Lee Byrne in 2010 and it was revealed his vertebrae was knocked so badly out of alignment that he was just one millimetre from paralysis or even death. The model is now based in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, actress Kelly Brook.

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Scots star who broke neck should make full recovery

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