This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce83k0gj8xko
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ex-Wolves footballer Ebanks-Blake claims surgeon prematurely ended career | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake broke his left leg during a match against Birmingham City in April 2013 | Sylvan Ebanks-Blake broke his left leg during a match against Birmingham City in April 2013 |
A former footballer's career came to a "premature end" due to an unnecessary procedure by a leading surgeon, the High Court has heard in a case brought by the ex-player against the medic. | A former footballer's career came to a "premature end" due to an unnecessary procedure by a leading surgeon, the High Court has heard in a case brought by the ex-player against the medic. |
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake underwent surgery after breaking his left leg while playing for Wolves against Birmingham City in April 2013. | Sylvan Ebanks-Blake underwent surgery after breaking his left leg while playing for Wolves against Birmingham City in April 2013. |
He is claiming that action by the medic during an operation to repair the injury "gave rise to inflammation", and sped up the development of osteoarthritis in his ankle. | He is claiming that action by the medic during an operation to repair the injury "gave rise to inflammation", and sped up the development of osteoarthritis in his ankle. |
The surgeon, Prof James Calder, denies the allegations and will argue, the court heard, "his clinical skills prolonged" the player's career. | The surgeon, Prof James Calder, denies the allegations and will argue, the court heard, "his clinical skills prolonged" the player's career. |
In written submissions, Simeon Maskrey KC, representing Ebanks-Blake, told the court on Wednesday: "The onset of symptoms and the development and acceleration of osteoarthritis brought the claimant's footballing career to a premature end." | In written submissions, Simeon Maskrey KC, representing Ebanks-Blake, told the court on Wednesday: "The onset of symptoms and the development and acceleration of osteoarthritis brought the claimant's footballing career to a premature end." |
Mr Maskrey said the 39-year-old had suffered a previous ankle injury and, although this resulted in some "stiffness", he had learned to adapt and it caused him no pain. | Mr Maskrey said the 39-year-old had suffered a previous ankle injury and, although this resulted in some "stiffness", he had learned to adapt and it caused him no pain. |
Following the 2013 fracture, a procedure followed which Mr Maskrey said "carried with it the significant risk that it would render the ankle symptomatic". | Following the 2013 fracture, a procedure followed which Mr Maskrey said "carried with it the significant risk that it would render the ankle symptomatic". |
Ebanks-Blake maintains the surgeon failed to properly tell him of associated risks - something Prof Calder denies, stating there was a lack of time for the footballer to weigh up his options. | Ebanks-Blake maintains the surgeon failed to properly tell him of associated risks - something Prof Calder denies, stating there was a lack of time for the footballer to weigh up his options. |
Mr Maskrey said that had his client been told that "wait and see" was a reasonable option, which ran the risk of the ankle becoming symptomatic and needing later intervention, "he would have taken that risk". | Mr Maskrey said that had his client been told that "wait and see" was a reasonable option, which ran the risk of the ankle becoming symptomatic and needing later intervention, "he would have taken that risk". |
He said it was for the court to decide whether his client "was provided with sufficient information to provide informed consent". | He said it was for the court to decide whether his client "was provided with sufficient information to provide informed consent". |
'Made positive comments' | 'Made positive comments' |
During the operation, Prof Calder's treatment included cleaning out the joint and removing some cartilage, the court heard. | During the operation, Prof Calder's treatment included cleaning out the joint and removing some cartilage, the court heard. |
Martin Forde KC, representing the surgeon, said in written submissions: "It is arguable that if Professor Calder had done anything other than what he did do, he would have been negligent for not dealing with the loose fragments and unstable cartilage." | Martin Forde KC, representing the surgeon, said in written submissions: "It is arguable that if Professor Calder had done anything other than what he did do, he would have been negligent for not dealing with the loose fragments and unstable cartilage." |
He continued: "The defendant's position is that through his judgment and skill he prolonged the claimant's career." | He continued: "The defendant's position is that through his judgment and skill he prolonged the claimant's career." |
Mr Forde also told the court that Ebanks-Blake's witness statement is the earliest indication of his "dissatisfaction", and had previously made positive comments about his recovery. | Mr Forde also told the court that Ebanks-Blake's witness statement is the earliest indication of his "dissatisfaction", and had previously made positive comments about his recovery. |
The court heard that after the surgery, Ebanks-Blake continued playing football for a number of years, retiring in 2019. | The court heard that after the surgery, Ebanks-Blake continued playing football for a number of years, retiring in 2019. |
The case before Mrs Justice Lambert is due to conclude on 22 July. | The case before Mrs Justice Lambert is due to conclude on 22 July. |
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. | Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. |
Previous version
1
Next version