INJURY UPDATE 7/05/08
At the end of a long but successful season for MK Dons, head physio Simon Crampton brings us an update from the treatment room with news on all the latest injuries . . .
The boys have been in yesterday and today to undergo end-of-season fitness tests and have been given fitness and prehabilitation programmes to maintain their fitness levels over the summer and ensure they are ready for the pre-season schedule.
There are a few boys still carrying niggles and knocks, who will continue to receive treatment over the summer to ensure they are ready for pre-season, we'll discuss those further below.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the many strands of our medical team, particularly orthopaedic consultant Panos Thomas, club doctor Martin Cave, Academy physios Paul Collins and Mark Evans, John Seeley and Matt Hillyer our hard-working masseurs, chiropractor Gary Jackson and podiatrist Cheryl Scott. Their work this season has been instrumental in ensuring our boys have made speedy recoveries from injury. I know the players and the staff have appreciated their efforts.
Drissa Diallo (shoulder)
Driss underwent keyhole surgery on his left shoulder in the middle of last month, where the soft tissues that had been damaged in the Peterborough game were repaired. I'm pleased to say that everything has gone well and Drissa has been making good progress.
He's been in a special support called a polysling for three weeks, which limits certain movements to allow adequate recovery. He'll be in that for a further two weeks, after which he can commence mobility exercises with an aim of restoring the full range of movement in the shoulder.
Once this has been achieved, we'll commence a strength training programme while also working on his fitness levels. When the specialist and I are both happy the range of movement and strength has been restored, Drissa will be able to return to full contact and full training.
Colin Cameron (knee)As we've talked about before, Cams injured his left medial collateral ligament at the beginning of April. He's been progressing through his rehabilitation and is now undertaking straight-line running drills, whilst incorporating some twisting and turning movements.
Cams will be taken to London next Wednesday to undergo ultrasound-guided dry needling. In lamen's terms this means the ligament will be examined using an ultrasound scanner, and then certain areas of the ligaments will be pricked with a needle with an aim of producing a stronger ligament.
Cams will be coming in to continue his rehab over the summer to ensure he is ready for next season.
Paul Mitchell (leg)
I was delighted to see Mitch playing 25 minutes in the reserve game against Norwich last week. He did well for the time he was on the pitch and came away from the game with no reaction.
Mitch will now be working hard over the summer as he continues to seek match fitness and he'll also be going to Lilleshall for intensive rehabilitation for two one-week periods.
Carl Regan (hamstring)
Regs strained his right hamstring in training towards the end of last month. He's responding well to treatment, will continue with rehab over the summer and is not a long-term concern.
Kevin Gallen (toe)
Kev has been struggling with an injured toe in his right foot since the start of April and got through most of the games in that month with injections.
Towards the end of April we decided enough was enough and it was time to rest the injury. It's responding well to rest, is starting to settle down and we'll continue with his rehab over the summer.
