The Bandit
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How I nearly lost my leg
By Steve Ricketts
August 17, 2005
BARRY Berrigan is still counting his blessings after a seemingly simple calf muscle injury could have led to him losing his lower left leg.
Scar tissue ... Berrigan displays his war wound at training. Pic: Darren England
The Broncos hooker has made a quicker than expected recovery from surgery and has been selected for Sunday's away match against Penrith.
Just six weeks ago he was in hospital facing the prospect of muscle wastage that could have ended his career.
If he had not sought help when he did he might have faced an amputation.
"That was the worst case scenario," Berrigan said.
"I got a cork in the match against Cronulla on July 3 but didn't think much of it. I knew something was wrong that night when I couldn't sleep because of the pain.
"I went to [physiothe******] Rob Godbolt and he took me to a doctor, and then I was admitted to hospital for decompression surgery. They operated and as part of the recovery process they left the wound open for a few days to disperse the pressure.
"The doctor did a wonderful job and he said if I had not sought help when I did and just gone to work and hobbled around for another 24 hours they may have had to amputate. It would have been lights out, leg off."
Berrigan's condition was caused by the progressive development of compression in the arteries and a reduction of blood supply.
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It can result in swelling, restriction of movement, severe pain and muscle degeneration which then can lead to a permanent contractual deformity.
Berrigan was not due back until the final-round clash with the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on September 2.
But his general fitness and work ethic will see him return against the Panthers on Sunday pending a final strength test for the leg which is now dominated by a 22cm scar from the operation.
By Steve Ricketts
August 17, 2005
BARRY Berrigan is still counting his blessings after a seemingly simple calf muscle injury could have led to him losing his lower left leg.
Scar tissue ... Berrigan displays his war wound at training. Pic: Darren England
The Broncos hooker has made a quicker than expected recovery from surgery and has been selected for Sunday's away match against Penrith.
Just six weeks ago he was in hospital facing the prospect of muscle wastage that could have ended his career.
If he had not sought help when he did he might have faced an amputation.
"That was the worst case scenario," Berrigan said.
"I got a cork in the match against Cronulla on July 3 but didn't think much of it. I knew something was wrong that night when I couldn't sleep because of the pain.
"I went to [physiothe******] Rob Godbolt and he took me to a doctor, and then I was admitted to hospital for decompression surgery. They operated and as part of the recovery process they left the wound open for a few days to disperse the pressure.
"The doctor did a wonderful job and he said if I had not sought help when I did and just gone to work and hobbled around for another 24 hours they may have had to amputate. It would have been lights out, leg off."
Berrigan's condition was caused by the progressive development of compression in the arteries and a reduction of blood supply.
Advertisement:
It can result in swelling, restriction of movement, severe pain and muscle degeneration which then can lead to a permanent contractual deformity.
Berrigan was not due back until the final-round clash with the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on September 2.
But his general fitness and work ethic will see him return against the Panthers on Sunday pending a final strength test for the leg which is now dominated by a 22cm scar from the operation.
