Tuiaki undergoing another op

[Magpies Forever]

Here we go! Another operation- I hope this is not one of those recurring injuries that just wont clear up for Tui. Best wishes and speedy recovery- hope you can make it back onto the field asap.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/defau...play&id=22022&tuiaki-to-undergo-minor-surgery

 

[macnaz]

We need him back at his best, specialy since headjob has said he going to play topou as a front rower.. Hmmm beu useless and fist henry on the wings , can hardly wait!

 

[Bricey]

the article does not disclose what the nature of the operation is.

It could be something as simple as the removal of the metalwork used to reconstruct his ankle in the first place. This being the case, the operation is most certainly needed to return tui to full fitness. Playing with, or even resuming full training with the metalwork intact could cause excessive stress on the joint because the metal plate is designed not to move. Worst case, bending of the plate rendering it impossible to remove and ending his career early.

I noticed that he has been seen at training on crutches, which leads me to believe that he is still on limited weight transferance through the ankle joint.

Removal of the metal would require a rehab period of about 5-6 weeks. Considering that he has had almost no strength and conditioning work on the lower part of his body, the muscles will need time to build up to what is required for NRL football. If they wont let him walk, the medical team most certainly wont let him lift weight through the joint.

 

[Magpies Forever]

I suspect we wont see TNT on the field for some time to come- maybe at least 1st half of season out.

4 wks - op & recovery
4-6 wks - conditioning
2 wks - lower grades getting back into it.

I hope this is not a career threatening injury- the ankle is a crucial pivot point and weight carrying joint. If that remains dodgy...............

 

[hybrid_tiger]

the article does not disclose what the nature of the operation is.

It could be something as simple as the removal of the metalwork used to reconstruct his ankle in the first place. This being the case, the operation is most certainly needed to return tui to full fitness. Playing with, or even resuming full training with the metalwork intact could cause excessive stress on the joint because the metal plate is designed not to move. Worst case, bending of the plate rendering it impossible to remove and ending his career early.

I noticed that he has been seen at training on crutches, which leads me to believe that he is still on limited weight transferance through the ankle joint.

Removal of the metal would require a rehab period of about 5-6 weeks. Considering that he has had almost no strength and conditioning work on the lower part of his body, the muscles will need time to build up to what is required for NRL football. If they wont let him walk, the medical team most certainly wont let him lift weight through the joint.

Hmm, I know it IS possible to play with metal plates in your ankle.

Francesco Totti played for Italy in the 2006 World Cup with metal plates in his ankle that had yet to be removed. He chose to remove them after the WC, so he was fit in time for the tournament.

Obviously different sports, different circumstances, but found that interesting.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Tigers in a twist: Tuiaki's ankle puts pressure on early Tuqiri return
CHRIS BARRETT

February 17, 2010

Struggling ... Tuiaki Photo: Steve Christo

Wests Tigers' uncertainty over Lote Tuqiri's arrival date in Sydney has taken on added significance with the club set to lose boom winger Taniela Tuiaki for an extended part of the season after complications in his recovery from ankle surgery forced him under the knife again.
The Tigers, who play the Sydney Roosters in their annual Foundation Cup pre-season encounter at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday, have begun negotiations with Tuqiri's current employer, English rugby club Leicester, in an effort to have him released from his contract with the Guinness Premiership pacesetters before it expires on March 31.
They are quietly confident of persuading Leicester officials to let Tuqiri pack his bags early and return in time for their round-one encounter with Manly on March 15 - but if talks fail, the dual international would likely only be available by round four.
The uncertainty over Tuqiri's arrival date has become more pressing with the deterioration of hopes that Tuiaki would be fit to return early in the season. The giant winger, who scored a club record 22 tries for the Tigers last year before breaking his ankle in their defeat to Parramatta in round 24, underwent surgery again on Monday to have the ankle cleaned out and his immediate playing future is unclear.
Tim Sheens, the Tigers coach, said the club's medical staff were uncertain when the 27-year-old New Zealand international would make a return. There are fears that Tuiaki could miss the entire season but Sheens said he was hopeful the 105-kilogram steamroller would recover at some point this campaign.
''The surgery was fairly successful but just how he comes back from that when he gets up on his feet and gets around we'll only start to know then,'' Sheens said. ''He's not going to start the season but how long [he is out for] is just speculation. The surgeon and I and the medical staff don't know. He's going to start from behind the eight ball with his fitness and a lot of things but once he gets on the field and his levels of fitness get up he should be all right.''
Sheens, who has chosen Tim Moltzen at fullback and Robert Lui at halfback in a near full-strength side for the trial against the Roosters, conceded not having their two fearsome three-quarters on deck for the premiership kick-off was far from ideal.
''You like to have all your senior people available so it is an issue for us,'' he said. ''But there's nothing much I can do about it but get on with it.''

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ure-on-early-tuqiri-return-20100216-o90i.html

Things do not look good for TNT.