Siliva Siliva opts for LARS surgery

[mudskipper]

New Brumby gains a new knee

ACT Brumbies back-up hooker Siliva Siliva will undergo a reconstruction of his posterior cruciate ligament today.

The Australian under-20 representative has opted for LARS surgery in order to be fit for the first game of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

LARS has a far shorter recovery time than a traditional reconstruction, which would see him miss six to nine months and the start of next season.

‘‘Timing is of the essence at this time of year with the start of the season just around the corner so that’s the main reason we’ve gone the LARS,’’ Brumbies physiotherapist Tim McGrath said.

McGrath has full faith in the relatively new technique, with former Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm also having the surgery earlier this year.

Siliva’s injury was a pre-existing condition that the Brumbies were aware of when they recruited him from the Western Force.

Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher said Siliva, who was brought in as the back-up hooker to Wallaby Stephen Moore, was seen as a longterm option for the club and was being treated as such.

‘‘We knew when we signed him that he had a knee issue but we’re of the opinion that he’s the best young hooker in Australia,’’ Fisher said.

‘‘You’re not looking at a short-term thing with Siliva, you’re looking at long-term what he can deliver for the Brumbies.

‘‘It’s part of getting the best young players to the Brumbies and then developing them.’’

They opted for the surgery to ensure there wasn’t any complications in the 19-year-old’s knee further down the track.

Siliva was in Perth yesterday wrapping up some loose ends while the bulk of the Brumbies squad went into camp at the NSW Academy of Sport at Narrabeen, north of Sydney.

‘‘The main aim for us is when we actually start our pre-season training in late October that we’re starting from a reasonably high base level,’’ Fisher said.

‘‘It’s about trying to establish some good habits, maybe some new habits.’’

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...e/2259683.aspx

[mudskipper]

This is an interesting one. Should players so young be having LARS surgery?

[travelling_gerry]

Damaged goods.

[jargan83]

I remember an AFL player who plays for Sydney (don't recall which one) had the LARS surgery after doing a knee injury, suffered a relapse 12 months or so later and again opted for the LARS surgery again
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[James]

Seems like a bad decision given that he's only 20 and could go on for another 10 years (or 20 if you are John Smit). Take the safe option and aim to make it back halfway through the Brumbies campaign. He's not likely to get much game time behind Stephen Moore and it would give the Brumbies time to upskill the third stringer in the wider training squad.

[mudskipper]

Damaged goods.

dropping the knee in…