Report of the Medical Commission by Pakistan Cricket Board

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Player:

Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif

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DateLine: 5th March 2007

 

Report of the Medical Commission March 4, 2007

 

Members
Dr.Waqar Farooqi (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shalimar Hospital, Lahore)
Dr.Zia Farooqi (Consultant Radiologist SKMCH & RC)
Dr.Sohail Saleem (PCB)

 

REPORT
Medical commission of Pakistan Cricket Board met at National Cricket Academy on March 4, 2007 to assess present status of Injuries sustained by Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Asif.

 

1. Shoaib Akhtar;

 

Medical Commission examined Shoaib Akhtar on January 29, 2007 for his left hamstring injury and was advised 3 weeks of rehabilitation. He was able to bowl a few overs on February 23rd and 24th 2007 but complained of significant pain in the left knee and in the left hamstring muscles. He was therefore advised not to bowl any further.

 

On examination this afternoon Shoaib had some tenderness over the medial joint line of left knee. Extreme knee extension as well as flexion were painful. Functional test such as hopping on one leg was extremely painful. He had some discomfort in the region of left hamstrings when stressed.

 

MRI revealed evidence of loose bodies with several pieces of cartilage within the joint, particularly posteriorly. Some osteochondritic changes were also noted near the tibial plateau more marked on the medial side. Degenerative meniscal signal was noted without any significant tear. There was some fluid within the joint as well.

 

In view of above findings we recommend that he should continue with the supervised rehabilitation program. However, he is not allowed to bowl unless he is re-examined by the commission in three weeks time.

 

2. Muhammad Asif

 

Muhammad Asif complained of pain in his right elbow for the first time during Pakistan team's tour of England in 2006-07 during a side match against England A on July8, 2007. He was seen by Dr.Yanni, sports orthopedic surgeon and Dr.Andrew Wallace, consultant orthopedic surgeon in UK. His dynamic ultrasound revealed pathology of postero-lateral capsule and the anconeus muscle. He was injected with cortisone by Dr.Yanni. His condition did not improve and he was sent back to Pakistan for further management. He was treated and rehabilitated for 4 weeks in Pakistan and was sent back to UK for playing last test and one day series He didn't complained of any pain during the rest of the tour. He remained well for next three months and went to South Africa for the Test and One day series. He started feeling the same pain again during the 3rd test against South Africa. This time the pain was very severe & he had repeated oral and injectable pain killers but continued playing the remaining matches of the tour. He was rehabilitated on coming back from South Africa and was selected for the training camp for the world cup. He developed the same pain while bowling during this camp but he was encouraged to ball with the pain.

 

On examination this afternoon, we found that he had some tenderness over the lateral attachment of right triceps muscle in the olecranon. The last 10 degrees of flexion as well as extension were restricted because of pain. However, he had full range of supination and pronation.

 

MRI revealed some local bone edema and sclerosis in the olecranon at the insertion of triceps. Minimal fluid is present in the joint cavity as well.

 

In view of above findings, we recommend Muhammad Asif to give rest to the Right elbow for three weeks initially. He was advised not to use his right arm for lifting anything or driving. However, he may perform activities of daily living. He was also advised to wear an elbow support. He should have supervised rehabilitation for the next three weeks when the commission will reassess him and if every thing goes well, he may be allowed graduated bowling in the nets.

 

Dr.Waqar S.Farooqi	Dr.Zia Farooqi	Dr.Sohail Saleem
Consultant ortho. Surgeon	Consultant Radiologist	Sports Physician
Member Med. Com.PCB	Member Med. Com. PCB	Cord. Med.Com. PCB

(Article: Copyright © 2007 Pakistan Cricket Board)