View Full Version : Winderlich undergoes major back surgery for the second time
Ludwig van Bertstare
15 Oct 2008, 21:07
Speedy Essendon midfielder, Jason Winderlich, has vowed to focus all of his efforts on playing his best football next season despite undergoing major back surgery for the second time in four months.
The 24-year-old was operated on this week to repair a reoccurring complaint which troubled him for much of the 2008 season.
“You only get one chance to play and it is my job and I love doing it,” Winderlich said.
“There are only so many times you can get this operation done but it is definitely worth going through the pain if it means at the end of the day I’m going to be playing at 100% rather than 75 – 80%.
“My speed is my biggest asset and in order to use it to my advantage, I have to get my body right.”
Winderlich had the first operation in June after experiencing severe pain following Essendon’s Round 11 clash with Hawthorn.
While that operation was ultimately unsuccessful, this time the medical experts are pleased with the results.
“The surgeon said it went extremely well and was very happy with it,” Winderlich said.
“Before having surgery the second time, we questioned if it would be better for me to try and do a pre-season, however following the operation the doctors said we made the right decision because it had to be done.”
Winderlich will be bed-ridden for the next four weeks before easing back into physical activity.
Following surgery, he will be unable to drive a car for a month and will only be allowed out of bed for four short walks a day. For the first two weeks, he will be unable to bend over at all.
The midfielder was grateful for the support of his team-mates as he underwent the operation.
“The boys have been great,” Winderlich said.
“They were disappointed for me this year because I had a really good year in 2007 despite missing a few games with a hamstring injury.
“They know how much I love the game and they want to see me back out there playing at 100 percent.”
Winderlich was voted Essendon's Most Improved player in 2007 and has played 56 games for the Bombers.
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=6128
Midnight Vultures
15 Oct 2008, 21:13
Poor bloke, I hope everything goes well for him this time and we can see him tearing it up in 2009
What was actually wrong with his back in the first place? Why did he need the surgery?
kelvin_sheedy
15 Oct 2008, 21:39
Following surgery, he will be unable to drive a car for a month and will only be allowed out of bed for four short walks a day. For the first two weeks, he will be unable to bend over at all.
Jesus Christ. :eek:
It sounds to me like the kid is going to struggle to get anywhere near his best.
I feel for him cause my back has given me issues over the years playing various sports but everytime I injure it I'm usually right in a few weeks. At the start of the year I tweaked it moving house and I haven't had a day this year without back pain.
It's as frustrating as hell as just as you think it's all gone you either twist and tweak or wake up with a bit more soreness!
Ludwig van Bertstare
15 Oct 2008, 21:48
What was actually wrong with his back in the first place? Why did he need the surgery?
Prolapsed disc.
SirJimi05
15 Oct 2008, 22:48
Jesus Christ. :eek:
It sounds to me like the kid is going to struggle to get anywhere near his best.
I feel for him cause my back has given me issues over the years playing various sports but everytime I injure it I'm usually right in a few weeks. At the start of the year I tweaked it moving house and I haven't had a day this year without back pain.
It's as frustrating as hell as just as you think it's all gone you either twist and tweak or wake up with a bit more soreness!
It's weird how you can do a back injury so easily. I used to work out pretty hard and got to the stage where is was doing some serious dead lifts and squats but never had an issue or any injuries. Then one morning i bent over to tie a shoelace and i do something to my back. Was bed ridden for a week and it took me weeks before i could train or play any sports again.
danzan22
15 Oct 2008, 22:51
Looks to be on his final legs now, if this continues next season you would think he would be delisted or forced to retire. Hopefully the poor bloke can get over it, valuable to the team when hes at his best.
Smyth94
16 Oct 2008, 06:51
Winderlich is definitely one guy who I really want to succeed at AFL level. He might not have the natural talent of Lovett but he gives you 100% each and everygame.
Longy413
16 Oct 2008, 07:34
Looks to be on his final legs now
Why is everyone seeing this as the end for him, rather than the start?
They've found the problem, he's had the two lots of surgery he's required and he'll be able to do a preseason.
He's obviously committed.
centurion
16 Oct 2008, 07:50
Why is everyone seeing this as the end for him, rather than the start?
They've found the problem, he's had the two lots of surgery he's required and he'll be able to do a preseason.
He's obviously committed.
Because disc problems are very tricky and tend to stay around.
Hope he recovers fully and plays great football. :thumbsu:
Phat Toni
16 Oct 2008, 07:51
And the injury list for 2009 grows!
Good luck to Winders as one of the earlier posters mentioned he is the type of bloke you want around as he gives 100% all of the time.
Also hope he has a better run next year from a success front he played in 9 games in 08 for 1 win and 8 losses!
kelvin_sheedy
16 Oct 2008, 07:52
It's weird how you can do a back injury so easily. I used to work out pretty hard and got to the stage where is was doing some serious dead lifts and squats but never had an issue or any injuries. Then one morning i bent over to tie a shoelace and i do something to my back. Was bed ridden for a week and it took me weeks before i could train or play any sports again.
Very weird as I was doing weights on Tuesday night without a problem and it was the best I've felt pretty much all year.
Last night I was chasing my son around the house and I turned around to have a look at something and I got that familiar feeling of a little electric shock in the middle of the back.
Today I can't walk or move anywhere without pain.
I worry about Winderlich because players with a track record of back pain usually struggle after it becomes an issue - Garry Lyon for example.
Why is everyone seeing this as the end for him, rather than the start?
They've found the problem, he's had the two lots of surgery he's required and he'll be able to do a preseason.
He's obviously committed.
I have concerns becasue i know first hand what he is going through. He has a good chance to make it back but it will have to be a very precise road he is on now and there is still a 20% chance of him being no good.
I have had two similar operations to trim prolapsed discs to relive pressure on the nerve which causes refered pain to the hammy, calf and ankle. So far both have ended up having only average results and after a period back at work full time i have been forced back onto light duties. The next step for me is to get the joints fused togehter which will be happening later this year.
What Winderlich does have in his corner is he is 17 years younger than me and has not been exposed to 24 years of heavy lifting and poor back management so chance are he only had a defect in one area and the disc around that area have not degenerated a lot.
They will have to have him 100% right becasue the second time i injured my back it was a medium force hit to the injured area about 10 months after the first operation. I guess they will be looking at a million MRI's before they allow him to do anything contact wise.
Longy413
16 Oct 2008, 08:38
Because disc problems are very tricky and tend to stay around.
Hope he recovers fully and plays great football. :thumbsu:
The article makes mention of him getting back to 100%.
Very weird as I was doing weights on Tuesday night without a problem and it was the best I've felt pretty much all year.
Last night I was chasing my son around the house and I turned around to have a look at something and I got that familiar feeling of a little electric shock in the middle of the back.
Today I can't walk or move anywhere without pain.
I worry about Winderlich because players with a track record of back pain usually struggle after it becomes an issue - Garry Lyon for example.
Mainly becasue when you are doing weights you do not tend to twist in the middle of the lift where as when you are running and turn you twist and tend to strain the muscle in the middle of your back.
The article makes mention of him getting back to 100%.
Not sure how they can quote that given the information given to you before the operation does actually say that there is a 5% chance of ongoing problems.
centurion
16 Oct 2008, 08:42
The article makes mention of him getting back to 100%.
Getting him back, and being back are two different things. Articles from the media don't convince me, when i see it then i will believe it. As i said disc problems are very hard to fix and keep giving the person problems. Ant555 has described the symptoms accurately.
Mr Mosquito
16 Oct 2008, 10:00
Feel sorry for the bloke, however is an extremely injury prone person who IMO is not in out best 22......i think its lucky he is under contract as his future at essendon would definately be under review
The Dustbin
16 Oct 2008, 10:02
Bloody hell,
Feel sorry for Licker, hasn't had a decent run/luck since he's been at the club. Hopefully he can recover, but I'm fearing the worst. :(
TheGeneral
16 Oct 2008, 11:31
Looks to be on his final legs now, if this continues next season you would think he would be delisted or forced to retire. Hopefully the poor bloke can get over it, valuable to the team when hes at his best.
Christou missed two years with the same injury, but played another 46 games after making his comeback in the reserves.
Feel sorry for the bloke, however is an extremely injury prone person who IMO is not in out best 22......i think its lucky he is under contract as his future at essendon would definately be under review
I think that you will find most of his injuries are related to refered pain from his back problem. He has missed most of his footy through hammy problems and tightness which is a classic symtom of the disc problem he has had.
It is funny how most don't seem to remember how good his form was in 2007 when he averaged 19 possessions a game despite never really being 100% . His running to space in the last quarters was excellent.
The Donners
16 Oct 2008, 12:38
Poor bloke, I hope everything goes well for him this time and we can see him tearing it up in 2009
My sentiments exactly. Tough break! :(
I hope that Winderlich makes a full recovery.
He has two important attributes
1) Gut running
2) Good disposal by foot to leading forwards
We can only hope that he does get better, doesn't have all the skills but has a great attitude.
Good Luck
bomberz08
18 Oct 2008, 09:04
hope he gets better
Big Blow Hard
21 Oct 2008, 14:48
Very weird as I was doing weights on Tuesday night without a problem and it was the best I've felt pretty much all year.
Last night I was chasing my son around the house and I turned around to have a look at something and I got that familiar feeling of a little electric shock in the middle of the back.
Today I can't walk or move anywhere without pain.
I worry about Winderlich because players with a track record of back pain usually struggle after it becomes an issue - Garry Lyon for example.
I think I can top that Kelvin. I pnched a nerve or something in my back reading a newspaper on my smoko break, lol. Just bent forward a little to look at something and bang, felt life a knife going in. Funny how it can happen so inocously sometimes. I cart timber around, sand floors, am bent over all day, but lift one newspaer, gone. :o