Steve Kean watched with dismay as his Blackburn side were beaten and the realisation that the Lancashire team could be starting the New Year stuck deep within the relegation mire began to sink in.
The proverbial six- pointer against fellow strugglers West Brom went the way of the Baggies with a last minute Peter Odemwingie wonder strike which sealed the points. The heroic exploits of Rovers goal scoring hero Scott Dann who finished with aplomb on 72 minutes to draw the teams level had all been forgotten as the blues and whites trundled off the pitch in sombre mood. There was little to suggest of the horrors that would unfold in the home changing room as disappointment was soon replaced with concern and worry. Scott noticed a swelling and an increased sense of pain as the match play surge of adrenaline began to fade; the big central defender had ruptured a testicle.
The outstretched right leg which seemed to collide with the diving Ben Foster after scoring the equalising goal and the ensuing celebration afterwards did nothing to suggest the newly signed crowd favourite was in any form of discomfort, particularly given the type associated with a rupture of this nature Рsevere pain / nausea / vomiting. To give an indication of the force required to cause a tear of this magnitude we would expect around 50kg of impact. Scott Dann did complete the full match highlighting one of two things, either this man is off the chart ՈARDՠor further damage had been caused within the remaining quarter of the game.
Blunt testicular trauma injuries are the most common accounting for around 85% with most happening within sport and approximately half require surgical intervention. Although the injury itself sounds quite horrific the procedure is minor (apparently!).ʠThe key to salvage rates which can vary from 79% – 94% are dependent upon early diagnosis and speedy treatment.
Scrotal exploration carries its own risk including bleeding, infection and loss of the testicle (although this should not affect sexual function, libido, or fertility).
Post-operative management will include intravenous antibiotics until patient discharge with the possibility of a drain and discharge medication. In addition Scott will require a scrotal support, ice application and plenty of bed rest. Swelling should gradually subside within 4 weeks and the Blackburn defender will need to be educated in the use of appropriate protective equipment.
Good Luck Scott, hope the road to recovery is quick and as pain free as possible. All at PhysioRoom.com wish you the very best (especially the men!) Merry Christmas ʉ
Listen Again
To listen to Scott Dann’s injury discussed on TalkSPORT radio by presenters Hawksbee & Jacobs and PhysioRoom.com’s Stuart Mills.