Owen Williams

First topic message reminder :

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/owen-williams-injury-rugby-community-7312144

This looks potentially very serious. Prayers for him and his family.

Was that an artificial pitch? I did wonder what the hell that surface was....strange looking stuff or strange condition for a natural field to be in. It was something that first drew my interest when I saw the clip.

I don't think its worth speculating whether the pitch was at fault, I believe it was just a freak accident and a really unfortunate landing

IronMike wrote:I don't think its worth speculating whether the pitch was at fault, I believe it was just a freak accident and a really unfortunate landing

I wasn't. It was simply the way he unfortunately fell. But the pitch did gain my attention in its own right.

IronMike wrote:I don't think its worth speculating whether the pitch was at fault, I believe it was just a freak accident and a really unfortunate landing

Me neither it was just a general observation.

SecretFly wrote:

IronMike wrote:I don't think its worth speculating whether the pitch was at fault, I believe it was just a freak accident and a really unfortunate landing

I wasn't.  It was simply the way he unfortunately fell.  But the pitch did gain my attention in its own right.

While I agree that speculation is pointless here, I also 'noticed' the pitch. It was very loose and sandy looking. I do hope that any investigation into the incident will look at it along with all other potential contributing factors.

#StayStrongForOws

He is apparently paralysed from the chest down. He was initially paralysed from the neck down.

Terrible news.

Awful news.

s***

Real shame for the lad..

Terrible outcome. Dreadful news. BUT......... he shouldn't lose all hope into the future. Advances in science now are ongoing (especially in the stem cell area) and let's hope those advances finally get to where a 'relinking' might be possible in these cases.

Puts the Luis Suarez incident/media show back into a much less important place in the scheme of things.

Tragic news. My heart goes out to Owen and his family.

So sad to hear...

SecretFly wrote:Terrible outcome.  Dreadful news.  BUT......... he shouldn't lose all hope into the future.  Advances in science now are ongoing (especially in the stem cell area) and let's hope those advances finally get to where a 'relinking' might be possible in these cases.

I agree, modern medicine is outstanding, hearing stories of people who have bust their spine being able to walk again when it wasn't possible in the past is so heart warming

Bluedragon wrote:He is apparently paralysed from the chest down. He was initially paralysed from the neck down.

Terrible news.

Well I'm not a medic so this is just speculation. But if his condition really has improved, it just may be that the damage is reversible, at least somewhat. Good luck.

He is back in Cardiff

Hopefully this is the start of some good news for him

Gwyn Jones made a recovery from a similar type of injury, though never returned to full fitness. Hoping Owen makes a speedy recovery and moves on successfully into the next phase of his life. Rugby is unimportant here !

I'm sure it's positive that he has been moved back to Cardiff so soon after the event.

Finger crossed that there is some hope for the lad.

Bluedragon wrote:Gwyn Jones made a recovery from a similar type of injury, though never returned to full fitness. Hoping Owen makes a speedy recovery and moves on successfully into the next phase of his life. Rugby is unimportant here !

I was wondering the other day how this injury compared to Gwyns and as you said he has made a very good recovery given the severity of the injury. Whilst I am sure Owen will never give up hope of a full recovery he has to look at someone like Gwyn as his aim.

Good luck all they way through your recovery, rehabilitation and beyond.

It is possible, and hopefully the case, that Owen can resume a mostly normal life, barring contact sport.  From what has been reported it seems likely he sustained compressed and probably fractured cervical vertebrae.  The compressions or fractures press on the spinal column.  As a generalisation, until the pressure is relieved a temporary paralysis is the result.  If the spinal column is severed, the paralysis is permanent.

Much depends on the severity of the impingement on the spinal column from the initial injury and how well and quickly the pressure was relieved, or partially relieved.  The critical aspect is to ensure the spinal column suffers no additional damage during the process of relieving the pressure.  Secondly, the impingment must be relieved, minimised, or at least stabilised so Owen can be prepared for longer and more complex surgery to repair the damage to the cervical bones and discs.  Frequently, in these cases, it can be a series of smaller, though highly complex procedures to address one facet of the injury at a time.   The most common method to stabilise the patient during this phase is the use of what is commonly referred to as an external halo.  This is a metal framework which is attached to the skull to prevent movement of the head along either the vertical and horizontal axis.  Though uncomfortable, this allows the patient to recover form other aspects of the injury and the medical team to prepare the next steps.  

I have seen cases where patients have recovered with high quality of life between 1 and 2 years.  Although medical technology continues to advance rapidly, and especially in this area, the spinal column is a terribly complicated part of our bodies and 100% guarantees are not possible.  I am sure he has the best of care and his medical team are working towards the best outcome for him.  Clearly, the best outcome is a resumption of a mostly normal life.

Thanks for that insight doctor_grey, Owen has a long healing process ahead of him and all I can hope for is he resumes a happy life afterwards.

Such a shame. Hope he can make some kind of recovery.

Great post Doctor_grey, thanks for the insight. 

All the best to him for his recovery process.

Nice to have a bit of expert medical knowledge Dr Grey. Thanks.

You are welcome, Gents.  This stuff is incredibly specialised now, the docs performing these procedures are equal parts 'micro' engineers, computer technicicans, and doctors.  
Certainly hoping for the best.........

Firstly may I offer my best wishes to you Owen for as full a recovery as possible.
Very informative post dr grey.
I had have a similar injury though I did it via a car crash. A half summersalt in a soft top.
I fractured and dislocated vertebrae c5&6. I was partially paralysed due to the pressure on spinal cord but with traction a halo tons of physio I got my movement backand I got a large part of my life back.
No more contact sport etc but walking sex(occasionally) my desk job and being a husband and dad etc.
I hope as we all do for Owen to have the best outcome possible to the most horrible of injuries.

[quote="doctor_grey"]It is possible, and hopefully the case, that s and 100% guarantees are not possible.  I am sure he has the best of care and his medical team are working towards the best outcome for him.  Clearly, the best outcome is a resumption of a mostly normal life.[/quote]

Super post Doc. A very big thank you

Skyler wrote:Firstly may I offer my  best wishes to you Owen for as full a recovery as possible.
Very informative post dr grey.
I had have a similar injury though I did it via a car crash. A half summersalt in a soft top.
I fractured and dislocated vertebrae c5&6. I was partially paralysed due to the pressure on spinal cord but with traction a halo tons of physio  I got my movement backand I got a large part of my life back.
No more contact sport etc but walking sex(occasionally) my desk job and being a husband and dad etc.
I hope as we all do for  Owen to have the best outcome possible to the most horrible of injuries.

Glad you got through it, mate. Not my area of expertise, but I always feel for anyone with spinal damage. As you know for your experience, C5/6 is very difficult because the nerves which run down the arms go thorugh the gap between 5/6. How long did it take for you to feel recovered?

I saw the video footage of how the injury occurred a few days ago, it isn't nice to see this happen to anyone, let alone a rugby player.

It does put the fear of permanent injury in your face when you think of how easy something lke this can happen.

Sometimes I wonder whether I should allow my son to play the game.

My condolences to Owen and his family, there is a tough road ahead and hopefully he will recover sufficiently to lead a normal productive life.

Yes I was very lucky not to have a much worse outcome. They left the dislocation in place so there is restricted movement and a narrowing of the space for the nerves to my right arm. But it all works okish. It took 10 months to get back to work and 2 years to get to a an ok place with it.
But I was lucky the smallest of margins could have left me totally paralysed I also had my rugby career first. 30 years at hooker and never much more than a sore neck and shoulders. I really hope that Owen has the same luck I had after the event.i am sure he is well placed to have excellent medical support. Life isn't the same but it's so very much better than it could have been. I hope Owen can say the same.

Cheers, mate. Glad you are OK. Agree, it is the absolutely smallest margins, a fraction of a fraction can have a huge difference in the spine. Let's hope for the same for Owen.

out of interest Doctor_Grey, what is your area of expertise?

Drinking, women........

Oh, professionally?
Orthopaedist, knee and shoulder; A&E

The spinal stuff is far beyond me.

The Doc wrote:Drinking, women........

You boasting or complaining?   

Biltong wrote:

The Doc wrote:Drinking, women........

You boasting or complaining?   

Dreaming........

doctor_grey wrote:

Biltong wrote:

The Doc wrote:Drinking, women........

You boasting or complaining?   

Dreaming........

Well, unless it is wet, you needn't worry

Biltong wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Biltong wrote:

The Doc wrote:Drinking, women........

You boasting or complaining?   

Dreaming........

Well, unless it is wet, you needn't worry

Don't make me laugh in the middle of a ....dream.  I lose concentration.

doctor_grey wrote:Drinking, women........

Oh, professionally?
Orthopaedist, knee and shoulder; A&E

The spinal stuff is far beyond me.  

That's not the first time a doctor has responded like that when I've asked!

bluestonevedder wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Drinking, women........

Oh, professionally?
Orthopaedist, knee and shoulder; A&E

The spinal stuff is far beyond me.  

That's not the first time a doctor has responded like that when I've asked!

About which point?
The drinking?
The women?
Or the spine?

doctor_grey wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Drinking, women........

Oh, professionally?
Orthopaedist, knee and shoulder; A&E

The spinal stuff is far beyond me.  

That's not the first time a doctor has responded like that when I've asked!

About which point?
The drinking?
The women?
Or the spine?

Hell Doc, all of them. 

You doctor's and your clever, witty retort.