ENGLISH FOOTBALL FANS became quick studies on metatarsal injuries in 2002 when David Beckham, then Wayne Rooney [2006], fell victim to the foot injury.
Curious Connacht supporters will have learned all about the Lisfranc injury that hobbled two of their best back row operators this season. The injury, which often comes in the form of a dislocation or sprain of the Tarso-Metatarsal joint, took Eoin McKeon and Willie Faloon out of action for much of this season.
McKeon was first to fall victim to the foot trauma, which was first diagnosed and described by French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St Martin in 1815. The Galwegian was playing in Connacht’s final pre-season match when he did the damage. He can not be sure whether it came from contact or from landing awkwardly moments later. What he can recall is the pain.
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“I never knew what a Lisfranc injury was beforehand but I can tell you it hurts. I fractured several little bones in my feet. I was out of action until the start of November and could not put my full weight on my foot for four or five weeks,” McKeon told TheScore.ie.
The regular treatment for rugby players is to encase the foot in a plastic cast. This allows players to keep up fitness and therapy sessions, such as pool running with a buoyancy belt. After five to six weeks, and with consultation with team physios and doctors, the cast is removed and a tapered return to action is set in motion.
Eoin McKeon in full flow after returning from a prolonged spell on the sidelines. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Faloon’s injury occurred in late September, against his former club, Ulster, and was more extreme than McKeon’s. The No.8 explains, “Willie damaged his ligaments, which is more serious than a break and takes longer to heal. We have had some bad luck with our flankers this season but thankfully Willie is back in full training and close to a return.” In the case of ligament injury, wires and screws are often required — and up to three months in a plaster cast — to knit the bones back together.
Connacht confirmed today that Faloon and fellow back-row George Naoupu are in the regular training rotation and will return to first team action in ‘the coming weeks’. Faloon, who settled in well to life out west, will have missed six months of rugby by the time he re-takes the field.
In Faloon’s absence, 20-year-old New Zealand import Jake Heenan successfully filled the openside breach but he has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Even McKeon was not immune to injury misfortune after his return. “During the week of the Scarlets [home] game, I ruptured ligaments in my hand and was out for seven weeks,” he said. “The injuries were nothing chronic but they have been frustrating.”
McKeon has been part of Connacht’s recent winning streak and, last Sunday, was part of an unchanged [for the first time this season] starting XV to take to the park at Rodney Parade. Dragons were put to the sword by Connacht’s dominant pack and Scarlets are up next, on Sunday. McKeon is fit and raring to go. “[Parc y Scarlets] is a tough place to go and a tougher place to win but we’re feeling confident with where we are.”
The 19th century foot injury that hobbled two Connacht back-row stars this season
ENGLISH FOOTBALL FANS became quick studies on metatarsal injuries in 2002 when David Beckham, then Wayne Rooney [2006], fell victim to the foot injury.
Curious Connacht supporters will have learned all about the Lisfranc injury that hobbled two of their best back row operators this season. The injury, which often comes in the form of a dislocation or sprain of the Tarso-Metatarsal joint, took Eoin McKeon and Willie Faloon out of action for much of this season.
McKeon was first to fall victim to the foot trauma, which was first diagnosed and described by French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St Martin in 1815. The Galwegian was playing in Connacht’s final pre-season match when he did the damage. He can not be sure whether it came from contact or from landing awkwardly moments later. What he can recall is the pain.
“I never knew what a Lisfranc injury was beforehand but I can tell you it hurts. I fractured several little bones in my feet. I was out of action until the start of November and could not put my full weight on my foot for four or five weeks,” McKeon told TheScore.ie.
The regular treatment for rugby players is to encase the foot in a plastic cast. This allows players to keep up fitness and therapy sessions, such as pool running with a buoyancy belt. After five to six weeks, and with consultation with team physios and doctors, the cast is removed and a tapered return to action is set in motion.
Faloon’s injury occurred in late September, against his former club, Ulster, and was more extreme than McKeon’s. The No.8 explains, “Willie damaged his ligaments, which is more serious than a break and takes longer to heal. We have had some bad luck with our flankers this season but thankfully Willie is back in full training and close to a return.” In the case of ligament injury, wires and screws are often required — and up to three months in a plaster cast — to knit the bones back together.
Connacht confirmed today that Faloon and fellow back-row George Naoupu are in the regular training rotation and will return to first team action in ‘the coming weeks’. Faloon, who settled in well to life out west, will have missed six months of rugby by the time he re-takes the field.
In Faloon’s absence, 20-year-old New Zealand import Jake Heenan successfully filled the openside breach but he has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Even McKeon was not immune to injury misfortune after his return. “During the week of the Scarlets [home] game, I ruptured ligaments in my hand and was out for seven weeks,” he said. “The injuries were nothing chronic but they have been frustrating.”
McKeon has been part of Connacht’s recent winning streak and, last Sunday, was part of an unchanged [for the first time this season] starting XV to take to the park at Rodney Parade. Dragons were put to the sword by Connacht’s dominant pack and Scarlets are up next, on Sunday. McKeon is fit and raring to go. “[Parc y Scarlets] is a tough place to go and a tougher place to win but we’re feeling confident with where we are.”
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