TonyK
CibbuanoGehrig to go under the knife
June 2nd 2008 23:45
ST KILDA forward Fraser Gehrig will undergo surgery on his right hand on Wednesday in a final desperate bid to return to AFL football.
The 32-year-old will have his arthritic middle finger stabilised. He will also have a arthroscopic clean-up on the top of his hand and wrist.
St Kilda football manager Matthew Drain said Gehrig had to go under the knife if he wanted to play again.
"It needs to be done now for him to have any chance," Drain said.
The surgery will put Gehrig, who must spend a minimum eight weeks on the long-term injury list, in rehab for at least the next six weeks.
The best case scenario would see Gehrig eligible to return in round 16, but the Saints may not want to upset team balance, if they are still in finals contention.
Gehrig, who retired last year, but had a re-think and was re-drafted by the Saints, has struggled to have an impact this season, managing just nine goals in five games.
Speaking for the first time about his situation 10 days ago, Gehrig made it clear he had not given up hope of adding to his 260-game career.
"I've decided to go on the long-term injury list and try to get everything up and running for possibly down the track," Gehrig said.
"I'm not too sure whether they're (my hands) going to get any better or not, but it gives me an opportunity to have a bit of a break."
The 32-year-old will have his arthritic middle finger stabilised. He will also have a arthroscopic clean-up on the top of his hand and wrist.
St Kilda football manager Matthew Drain said Gehrig had to go under the knife if he wanted to play again.
"It needs to be done now for him to have any chance," Drain said.
The surgery will put Gehrig, who must spend a minimum eight weeks on the long-term injury list, in rehab for at least the next six weeks.
The best case scenario would see Gehrig eligible to return in round 16, but the Saints may not want to upset team balance, if they are still in finals contention.
Gehrig, who retired last year, but had a re-think and was re-drafted by the Saints, has struggled to have an impact this season, managing just nine goals in five games.
Speaking for the first time about his situation 10 days ago, Gehrig made it clear he had not given up hope of adding to his 260-game career.
"I've decided to go on the long-term injury list and try to get everything up and running for possibly down the track," Gehrig said.
"I'm not too sure whether they're (my hands) going to get any better or not, but it gives me an opportunity to have a bit of a break."
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