Surgeon marvels at Billy’s determination in rehab
THE surgeon took one look at Billy Slater’s X- rays and wasn’t sure he would 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 said 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 career ending.
“He was in a bad way and couldn’t even hold his arm up.”
So this is the man who miraculously saved Slater’s rugby league career and gave us at least one more season to enjoy his spectacular attacking skills.
He performed 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.
“I was actually at the beach at the time with my daughter,” Dr Trantalis said.
“Tony Ayoub ( leading physio) called and said he had a VIP who needed to be seen urgently.
“So we arranged to meet in my surgery that day and in walked Billy Slater.
“I’m a rugby league fanatic and Billy’s the best fullback I’ve ever seen.
“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 incredible determination in his rehab. Hour after hour. Week after week.
“He is the best rehab patient I’ve ever had,” Dr Trantalis said. “The commitment he showed. Wow. The motivation. Fantastic. He only came back because of his desire.
“Anything I suggested he’d do three or four times more than I said. He was so committed it was more a case of holding him back a bit.”