THURSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM
JT uses NASA compression technology to recover for Origin swansong
A $ 3000 compression device using space- suit technology developed by NASA has emerged as the secret weapon to help injured Cowboys co- captain and Maroons champion Johnathan Thurston recover in time for Origin III.
A state- of- the- art icing machine will be a key plank in Thurston’s rehabilitation plan to ensure he is fit for his State of Origin farewell in the blockbuster decider on July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Thurston was Queensland’s hero in Origin II on Wednesday night, kicking the winning goal to snatch a thrilling 18- 16 victory at ANZ Stadium and keep the Maroons’ Origin series hopes alive.
A $ 3000 compression device using spacesuit technology developed by NASA has emerged as the secret weapon to help injured Maroons champion Johnathan Thurston recover in time to play in Origin III.
A state- of- the- art icing machine will be a key plank in Thurston’s rehabilitation plan to ensure he is fit for his Maroons farewell in the Origin decider on July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Thurston was Queensland’s hero in Origin II on Wednesday, kicking the winning goal to snatch a thrilling 18- 16 victory at ANZ Stadium and keeping the Maroons’ Origin series hopes alive.
But in the process, the Maroons five- eighth sustained a fresh injury to a right shoulder problem he initially suffered six weeks ago when he tore his rotator cuff playing for Australia.
Thurston had scans yesterday, with club doctors at the North Queensland Cowboys to determine the full extent of the injury today.
But Maroons medicos swung into action immediately, with Thurston using the icing- and- compression device at 1am – three hours after Origin II – to begin healing his injured shoulder.
Known as Game Ready, the machine provides cold compression therapy. It contains a timing device, enabling icing and compression to be applied to an injured athlete throughout the night as they sleep.
The compression garment was developed by scientists using NASA spacesuit technology and is used by more than 100 American professional sporting teams in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
The technology is now used by NRL clubs, with Queensland’s Origin doctors hoping the device will enable Thurston to be on deck for his 38th and final game in Maroon for the Suncorp decider.
The Maroons turned to Game Ready last year when Thurston’s halves partner Cooper Cronk rolled his ankle in a training mishap just five days before Origin I. With intensive treatment, Cronk managed to play.
“It is a really good innovation,” Queensland doctor Matt Hislop said.
“It is a lot more scientific
IT IS A LOT MORE SCIENTIFIC THAN THE OLD ICE BAG QUEENSLAND MAROONS DOCTOR MATT HISLOP
than the old ice bag. It is a combination of icing and compression and you can tailor it for different parts of the body.
“A lot of NRL players have their own machines these days. I think Thurston has his own and we have a few for the Queensland team.
“Johnathan was straight into it last night – he’s very professional with his rehab.
“They cost a few thousand dollars, but it’s great for professional athletes. It has a timert and can control the temperature, it has a countercurrent exchange so it is continually replacing water that warms up with cooler water.
“Ice melts and loses its effectiveness, but this machine continually replenishes itself with cold water.
“We used this with Cooper Cronk’s ankle last year. With Cooper, he was very much in doubt five days out from the game, but by using this device, he was able to play and he played very well. The advantages are very useful and hopefully it works for JT.”
Dr Hislop says it is too early to tell if Thurston, who will retire from representative football at the end of this season, requires surgery.
“We’re all hoping he will be OK. All we know is that there is enough of a concern that he definitely won’t be playing this weekend ( against Penrith tomorrow).
“If the scans show it is soft tissue damage, that would be good. If it is more significant than that, we will be briefed by the Cowboys medical staff.”
Asked if he will play Origin III, Hislop said: “We are hopeful he will finish his career playing with us and playing with the Cowboys next year.”