Michael Fatialofa

[Brandnewtorugby]

Worcester posted this update;

https://warriors.co.uk/2020/01/04/michael-fatialofa-update/

Really hope this plays out ok for him and his loved ones.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Staying in hospital another night.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50999557

[MarleyWasp]

I fear that when there is an update on what his condition is, it's not going to be good news.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I fear that when there is an update on what his condition is, it's not going to be good news.

My thoughts exactly. If his scans were clear, and he was symptom free he'd already be out.

[MarleyWasp]

It's all reminding me of Jules Bianchi's accident and the lack of news for 30hours after the crash. A friend of mine used to play for Worcester's womens team and is friends with one of their physios. She hasn't been able to find out anything and has mentioned the P word to me. St Mary's is not exactly the first choice hospital from Allianz Park and I see they have a spinal unit specialising in compression injuries.

[Neils]

All our thoughts are with him and his family. I haven't seen the injury but I take it was an accident?

[DGP Wasp]

Really worrying news, and subsequent lack of news more worrying still.  Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery.  Thoughts with him and his family and friends and all at Worcester.

[InBetweenWasp]

I haven’t seen it, but supposedly his Wife posted on Instagram to say that he doesn’t have any feeling from the neck down at the moment. Everything crossed for him and his Family.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Having watched it there was no foul play at all. He took the ball into contact and looked like he was trying to go low to avoid being driven back.

It didn't look good, and the fact he's not been released suggests a possible spinal cord injury. Hopefully not a permanent one.

[SilverShire]

Having surgery to relieve pressure.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51014248

[backdoc]

"The 27-year-old remains in intensive care at St Mary's Hospital in central London after sustaining bruising and swelling on his spinal cord.

He will undergo surgery on Monday evening to relieve the pressure caused by the bruising."

He probably has 'central cord syndrome' with a congenitally narrow spinal canal. If he was unstable/bleeding the surgery would have been done urgently.

St Mary's is the 'local' major trauma centre for Allianz Park.

[Tervueren]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51014248

[backdoc]

Success means he is not worse than before. If he has a cord injury [and that is the only reason for operating from the information we have] then he has a 1-2 year recovery time, and will likely have some residual weakness typically in the hands. No more rugby sadly.

It could have been much worse.

[Hymenoptera]

Says op was to relieve pressure.
Either way, wish them all the luck in the world.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Success means he is not worse than before. If he has a cord injury [and that is the only reason for operating from the information we have] then he has a 1-2 year recovery time, and will likely have some residual weakness typically in the hands. No more rugby sadly.

It could have been much worse.

I was hoping you would comment on this, thank you.  Do you think he is likely to regain a good level of function?  Or could it still be that he has a signifcant permanent deficit?