If the rumours are true; then Paul O'Connell's Rugby World Cup, and Irish international career is over. O'Connell appears to have torn his hamstring off the bone. It's one of the worst injuries that can happen to a hamstring.
I am hear Paul O'Connell has torn his hamstring off bone. Up there with the most serious of injuries. Not sure how he didn't faint with pain
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) October 12, 2015
It's not an injury you hear about too often, but what does it mean? How long should O'Connell be out for? How long a recovery period is it for a torn hamstring off the bone?
A torn hamstring off the bone - or a hamstring avulsion, is the most painful hamstring injury. Patients describe the pain as if they have been shot in the back of their thigh and buttock. There's a pop, and immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and patients have difficulty walking.
The severity of the injury depends on how many of the three hamstring tendons have ripped off the bone. If there are small partial tears, or if just one tendons have come off the bone. This doesn't require any surgery, and recovery consists of rest, ice, physical therapy, and a gentle return to athletic activity over a period of four to six weeks.
However, if all three tendons are torn off the bone by more than an inch or so, surgery will be recommended. If surgery doesn't happen - patients experience chronic pain and weakness in their hips. Surgery of this kind would require nine months to recover from. If O'Connell's injury is as bad as this - it would mean that his Toulon debut wouldn't happen until August 2016. O'Connell did sign a two-year-deal with the French club, but it awaits to be seen if he will be able to play for them.
[Vailknee]
Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
