How many fractures Michail Antonio suffered and his subsequent pain threshold will be “key for a potential return”, says a sports science specialist.
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Hammers forward had to be cut from wreckageAirlifted to hospital and has undergone surgeryQuestions over whether he will ever play againFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The West Ham forward is starting out on a long road to recovery after suffering a horror car crash that saw his Ferrari collide with a tree. Antonio had to be cut from the wreckage and airlifted to hospital, where he has since undergone surgery.
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It has been revealed that the Jamaica international required an operation on a lower-leg fracture, but the full extent of his injuries is being kept private. It is the severity of those that will determine whether he is ever able to play again.
WHAT PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALIST SAID
Dr Rajpal Brar, a specialist in physical therapy and a sports scientist, has told of the rehabilitation journey stretching out in front of Antonio: “What we know is that he’s suffered a lower limb fracture and based on how it happened – a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and if the pictures were any indication, a high speed one – then it’s a very significant fracture.
“His timeline will be dictated by the severity of the fracture – are there multiple? What type of fracture is it? Was there involvement in any joints or from arteries or nerves? What surgery was needed? Generally high speed MVAs where you are airlifted means major injury and surgery and he spends several months on the sidelines.”
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Dr Brar added: “His next month – or months depending on the severity – will be recovery and allowing the fractures to heal while undergoing physiotherapy to maintain range of motion and strength. Once cleared, he can move on to more mobility and strength.
“The key for a potential return is going to be how severe the injury is and how it impacts his movement and pain levels doing so. That will be touch and go for a bit until they’re able to evaluate higher levels of movement.”