Davide Santon’s right knee: A history…
Posted on September 15th, 2011 | 50 Comments |
Speaking in a rare interview, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, suggested that may have been another recurrence of a *lateral meniscus injury which have haunted the Italian since it was torn in an Italy Under-21s game against Luxembourg in November, 2009.
Pardew said of the latest injury:
“Unfortunately, Davide hurt his knee this morning. He’s going for a scan today. That’s not good news for us.
“He’s having a scan on what looks like a cartilage. His knee looked a little bit unhealthy after training today.
“It’s an injury he’s had previously, so I think it’s very wise that the doctor and his team have him scanned today to make sure.
“I’m not actually sure of the mechanics of it. It’s very important he has a good start at this football club, so we want to make sure he’s 100%”
Returning to 2009 though, Santon’s original injury left him out of the game for just under two months following arthroscopic surgery. he rurned in January as a sub against Bari. However, the problem came back and seemed to be worse than first thought. A serious case of knee inflammation left him on the sidelines, and in the spring of 2010, it was decided that surgery was required once again, which he underwent on 7th April that year. This kept Santon out for the season, missing Internazionale’s Champion’s League success that year and a potential World Cup place with Italy.
His eventual return came on 4th August, when Santon trotted out as a second half sub for Inter’s pre season friendly against Panathanaikos. Although there there were no recurrences of the injury, and Santon got a good run in the first team thanks to injuries to Christian Chivu and Maicon, Santon failed to recapture the form which won him so many plaudits before his injury. Hence, he was eventually loaned out to smaller Serie A side, AC. Cesena at the end of the January transfer window. This brings us as far as his transfer to Newcastle United.
So although Santon went a full season without any recurrences of his right knee problem, it is to be hoped that his latest knee episode isn’t indicative of a constantly recurring injury which will haunt the player throughout his career. It is also to be hoped that he can recapture the form he displayed before his original injury at the end of 2009.
*The Lateral Meniscus is a “C” shaped piece of cartilage which rests on the outside of the knee between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia).
Update
Speaking in a later interview, Alan Pardew has given an update on Santon, saying that the player will be out for at least a month. Here’s what he said on the latest injury:
“It’s a worry. It looks like it could be a cartilage and it’s not something you want when he’s just come into the building.
“Maybe we’re looking at a month out. He’s going to have to get it cleaned out, it’s keyhole surgery nowadays which is a quicker operation but it will certainly mean at least four weeks out.”
“He’s been through a really thorough medical and he’s a little bit unlucky as we’re only a week or so on from the medical. He trained today and trained well.”
“It was just when he came off, he complained a little bit and we’re erring on the side of caution with him.”
“Davide has had a few injuries in the last couple of years which isn’t ideal.
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
workyticket has written 1095 articles on this blog.
He picked it up on international duty, as per.
I guess the debut will have to wait then?