SLATER’S SURGEON SAVIOUR
Doctor praises Slater’s commitment to rehab for amazing recovery
THE surgeon took one look at Billy Slater’s X-rays and wasn’t sure he’d ever play again.
Dr John Trantalis is one of Australia’s leading shoulder specialists and has seen some shocking injuries in his medical career.
“I hadn’t seen a worse case in a footballer,” Dr Trantalis told the Cairns Post yesterday.
“It’s usually a major trauma to rip off the tendon like Billy did. Like a really bad car accident.
“I was optimistic I could get his shoulder better but I was concerned it may be careerending.
“He was in a bad way and couldn’t even hold his arm up.”
So this is the man who mir- aculously saved Slater’s rugby league career and gave us at least one more season to enjoy the fullback’s spectacular attacking skills.
He used keyhole surgery with fibre wire and four plastic screws as anchors in a delicate two-hour operation.
The doctor clearly remembers the phone call on a Saturday morning in March last year that set up one of rugby league’s most remarkable comeback stories.
“Tony Ayoub (leading physio) called and said he had a VIP who needed to be seen urgently,” Dr Trantalis said.
“So we arranged to meet in my surgery that day and in walked Billy Slater.
“It was a severe injury, even for a footballer. So we did surgery a couple of days later.”
The rest, according to the doctor, was all about Slater’s determination in his rehab.
“He is the best rehab patient I’ve ever had,” Dr Trantalis said. “The commitment he showed. Wow.
“He only came back because of his desire. Anything I suggested he’d do three or four times more than I said.
“His physio (Meirion Jones) was very motivated as well.”
Slater returned in Round 3 this year against the Broncos. The rest is history. Controversially overlooked for the opening State of Origin game, he returned in Games Two and Three and helped the Maroons win the series.
Dr Trantalis hasn’t missed a Storm game all year.
“Oh my God, every tackle I get nervous,” he says. “I watch every game just to make sure he’s OK.”