Experts' view on Wilko's return
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:23
One of the UK’s leading orthopaedic surgeons, Simon Moyes, says he expects England international Jonny Wilkinson will be fit and back in action just in time for next years Six Nations Championship.
The World Cup winner suffered a dislocated knee-cup just over a week ago during the Newcastle Falcons Guinness Premiership fixture with Gloucester.
Now, following a successful surgery, Moyes believes the No. 10 can expect a four month stint on the sidelines before he is back in action but, if all goes well, he could be available for selection for Martin Johnson's squad to face Italy at Twickenham on 7th February.
"His knee will probably be in a splint for six weeks, followed by an intensive physiotherapy programme thereafter," said Moyes.
"The earliest he would be likely to get back to top-level rugby in my view would be three months, but more likely four.
"I would estimate there will be a 90% chance of him doing so.
"The immediate treatment is to relocate the knee-cap, which is normally done on the field, then X-rays and MRI scans are taken to try and quantify the level of damage.
"Options then run from non-operative treatment, which is immobilisation in a splint or cast for six weeks, to the other end of the spectrum.
"This is arthroscopic assessment of the joint surface, a repair of the joint surface and repair of the muscular tendinous junction. I would expect Jonny would have had the latter."
Twenty-nine year old Wilkinson has had a torrid time with injuries over the last six years but is believed to still be determined to recover his fitness and compete with the likes of Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood for the starting birth in the England national team.
