Schalk shouldn’t have operation
21 Jun 2006
Schalk Burger is taking a huge risk by having a neck fusion operation, according to a Jo’burg doctor.
The operation is performed to relieve the pressure on one or more nerve roots, or on the spinal cord. It involves the stabilisation of two or more vertebrae by locking them together (fusing them). The fusion stops the vertebral motion and as a result, the pain is also stopped.
However, the doctor contacted by keo.co.za (who wished to remain anonymous) said Burger should not be going under the knife.
“Neck surgery should be avoided whenever possible,” he said. “I have a patient who had neck fushion and she lost 50% mobility in her neck. How can Schalk expect to play rugby again if he can’t move his neck? I always recommend that patients wear a neck brace, day and night, for three months, and then enter a rehabiliation programme.”
According to the doctor, having the operation may result in short-term benefits, but problems could arise further down the line.
“When you fuse the C1-C2 vertebrae, you put pressure on the disc above,” he said. “If that disc gets damaged then the patient will have major problems.
“To be perfectly honest, when I heard about Schalk’s injury I immediately said he would never play rugby again. It is an extremely serious injury.”
By Simon Borchardt
73 Comments
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21 Jun 2006, 16:05 pm
If it Dr. Zuma, Schalk is a dead man….
Lo, there is more spine in one of my turds than in your rugby team….
21 Jun 2006, 16:06 pm
No knife is going anywhere near my neck…the ou must be stupid. Take the neck brace and get rehab…and learn how to run around the opposition, and go to ground before getting whiplash from taking tackles from all 15 players.
21 Jun 2006, 16:15 pm
Stan,
How’s your wife’s black eye?
21 Jun 2006, 16:16 pm
Predawn,
You mean there are enough people with knifes in SA and they are not surgeons?
Who are willing to cut you for your cell phone and if you complain then you are told to leave the country?
It must be the old regime that produced such fine citizens…
21 Jun 2006, 16:18 pm
Lo,
How is your wife’s Aids treatment coming along?
Is the garlic working?
21 Jun 2006, 16:22 pm
A joke to warm us up for the Tri-nations:
Melbourne Zoo had acquired a female of a very rare species of
Gorilla. Within a few weeks, the gorilla became very cantanker and difficult to handle.
Upon examination, the Zoo veterinarian determined the problem.
The gorilla was on heat. To make matters worse, there was no male
gorilla of the species available.
While reflecting on their problem, the Zoo management noticed
Kevin, a big Kiwi lad, responsible for fixing the Zoo’s machinery. Kevin, like most Kiwis, had little sense, but seemed to be possessed with ample ability to satisfy a female of ANY species.
So, the Zoo administrators thought they might have a solution. Kevin was
approached with a proposition. Would he be willing to have ***
with the gorilla for $500?
Kevin showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter over carefully. The following day, Kevin announced that he would accept their offer, only under three conditions:
“Fust,” he said, “I don’t want to have to kuss er.”
“Sicondly, you must niver tull anyone about thus.”
The Zoo administration quickly agreed to these conditions, so they
asked
what was his third condition.
“Wull,” said Kevin, “You gotta give me another week to come up
with the $500.”
21 Jun 2006, 16:58 pm
the key thing here is that schalk plays again. he needs to do whatever it takes. the operation would give him a 50% chance of playing again for a good few years. that could see us through 2 world cups which would be ok. he can’t afford to be selfish here and think only of himself. the springboks must come first – think of all the good that would come from another world cup victory. of course there’s always the risk that that he returns but is not 100%, that wouldn’t do the team any good either.
21 Jun 2006, 17:04 pm
Look I’ve heard those outsurance adverts. Schalk is a natural and I mean a real natural communicator. The chap has presence and charisma in buckets.
He could have a great career doing voice overs perhaps he could look to break into the UK market as a stepping stone to the US?
He could also extend his reportoire to include presenting light entertainment before progressing to political and current affairs commentary?
With or without rugby Schalk has a pretty exciting career ahead of him. He is afterall such a doughnut. Shame about the injury mind.
21 Jun 2006, 17:12 pm
Why would anyone want to break into the UK market……the UK is a shithole!!!
21 Jun 2006, 17:13 pm
Yes,the United Kingdom does suck ***
21 Jun 2006, 17:34 pm
Yeah Dood, a shithole with a **** team.
21 Jun 2006, 17:35 pm
Someone said they had a queen, what are they talkin about, they’re all queens.
21 Jun 2006, 21:15 pm
StM
Use simpler bait.
22 Jun 2006, 00:05 am
id prefer it if burger retired. the mans health is not worth risking. example of stupidity is mccaw. he playing after doc recommendation that he could in fact have severe repercussions for his head knocks.
burger needs to evaluate what is important. jake if you were man enough you would support burger with his decision.
agree that SA rugby is in a massive void without burger, but the next talent is just around the corner somewhere deep in the under 21 and 19 heap. so we need not panic too much for long term success.
burger has lots to offer rugby without playing. he should become mentor and coach to up and coming guys in the loose fwd positions. he could open an international loosie clinic.
22 Jun 2006, 00:36 am
As much as I hate to say this, Schalk should retire. His long-term health is far more important than playing rugby for the next 8 odd years.
It’s a great tragedy as he is a wonderful young player, one of the best in his position. I only hope he makes a wise decision.
22 Jun 2006, 00:53 am
I know this one real well! I’m about Schalk’s age and Ive got the same problem. F###ed my neck (C2) in a car accident on 30 April. The doc gave me the same choice –the op or the neckbrace for 3 months. He really recommended the natural healing — less risky and better outcome he said.
Schalk should go with the brace IMHO.
I’m half-way thru — it’s going OK & I should be out of it late July or early August.
One Doc wanted me to wear a halo brace with bolts into my skul but in the end they said I could wear a ‘minerva’ –a moulded clamshell thing from my waist to the top of my head.
I felt real uncool at first but now Im used to it its Ok & I can do most things so its not a big deal.
So Schalk don’t take the op!
22 Jun 2006, 00:53 am
gecko #29, before I believe any of that I want proof that Jason actually got a neck…
22 Jun 2006, 00:54 am
Forgot to say they say I should be able to play again fine after rehab
22 Jun 2006, 06:37 am
post 8
Stan
How is your mothers currie cup campaign at tight head going?
I hear shes also the team mascot and groupie?
22 Jun 2006, 07:52 am
They must get a chinese doctor…these guys are miraculous, and they never touch a knife…I have been living in China for the last 15 years…
22 Jun 2006, 08:26 am
StM, just like Robbie Williams hey, using the UK market to break into the US market.
BWA HAHAHAHA!
22 Jun 2006, 10:28 am
Hey guys,
Look at this article I’ve found on News24. It looks a little bit better for Schalk:
Good news for Burger’s future
22/06/2006 08:55 – (SA)
Cape Town – Schalk Burger’s prospects of returning to the rugby field have improved dramatically with the news that his neck injury is not as serious as first feared.
Springbok coach Jake White confirmed in The Star newspaper that Burger, who suffered the injury in the Springboks’ second Test victory over Scotland in Port Elizabeth, had injured a disc in the lower part of his spine, but the prognosis for a full recovery was excellent.
Burger is scheduled to undergo surgery on Saturday morning and medical experts are now prepared to give him a 75%-plus chance of making a full recovery.
“I heard about the news and that he could even come back stronger. We are very happy about that,” White added.
Meanwhile, Burger’s father Schalk snr confirmed his son’s injury was to a lower part of the vertebra, which is protected by the shoulder blades.
“We’re still waiting for the surgery to be completed, but we are a lot more hopeful that Schalk will make a full recovery.
“At least he is young. When he was at school, he had two reconstructive knee surgeries and was back playing rugby following rehab after just six weeks,” added Burger snr.
22 Jun 2006, 11:42 am
I think the only person qualified to comment on this is the surgeon who has actually examined Schalk. Any surgeon willing to comment on an individual case without actually examining the patient is being at best reckless.
A prime example would be that I broke both arms(thankfully seperate occasions) playing rugby, with one injury I was back playing after 9 weeks on the other occasion it took 7 months.
How could any doctor advise on the healing time or best treatment without actually examining the patient. This “specialist” should be hung drawn and quartered for expressing such an ill informed and reckless opinion. The problem with doctors, like a lot of journo’s is that a God complex comes with the job.
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