CASE STUDY: SIYA KOLISI
Kolisi partially tore the ACL in his right knee during a United Rugby Championship game for the Sharks against Munster on 22 April 2023.
With a lengthy and complex recovery ahead, it was unlikely that Kolisi would be able to play in the upcoming Rugby World Cup (RWC) later that year.
Siya initially accepted the grim prognosis, but his wife Rachel encouraged him to seek another opinion when his initial surgeon said he had no chance in playing in the RWC.
He canceled his scheduled surgery at the last minute and flew to Cape Town for a second opinion.
Dr. van der Merwe gave him a 70% chance of making it to the World Cup and performed a groundbreaking procedure.
Key Milestones: 1. Injury Date - April 22, 2023 2. Second Opion & Surgery - April 24th, 2023 3. Start Rehab - April 26, 2023 4. Return to Training - August 20, 2023 5. World Cup Participation - September 10, 2023
Dr. van der Merwe used an intricate surgical technique—developed alongside Dr. Neil van der Walt. This approach involved using hamstring tendons to reconstruct the ligament and emphasized early mobility and mental resilience as key components of the rehab process.
Siya began his rehab journey in hospital with NMES (muscle stimulation) and Lightforce laser therapy. Both of these modalities were used as combination therapy throughout. The Springboks physio, Rene Naylor led his treatment.
PROTOCOLS USED:
4 SESSIONS DIRECTLY AFTER ONE ANOTHER - COMBINED IN ONE SESSION.
1. Wound area 2. Medial front knee 3. Lateral front knee 4. We’ve added the hamstring because he had a hamstring graft.
Springboks Physio Rene Naylor with Siya Kolisi
Week 1: Day 1 after surgery up to Day 7: Morning and Evening (protocol Post Op knee) Week 2: Only in the Morning and after NMES session if he had pain. Week 3: 4 times per week and after sessions if he had pain or felt uncomfortable. Week 4 - 10: 3 times per week and after sessions if he had pain or felt uncomfortable. Week 10 - 12: As needed by player to treat pain and inflammation around the surgical area.
Case details courtesy of Rene Naylor. Results from this case study are not predictive of future results.
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