YOUR BRAIN CANNOT HAVE RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY LIKE A KNEE

Former Welsh winger forced to retire at 25 fears head injuries are becoming more frequent

AFORMER Welsh winger, forced to retire from rugby at the age of 25 due to concussion, fears that head injuries are becoming more and more frequent.

Newport Gwent Dragons star Matthew Pewtner’s warning comes on the back of controversy surrounding fellow winger and Wales international George North.

North suffered a sickening blow when landing on his neck while playing for Northampton Saints against Leicester last Saturday.

To the surprise of onlookers he returned to the pitch just minutes later, despite receiving an obligatory head injury assessment (HIA) from medics.

Northampton officials met Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Association on Friday to discuss whether the club would face punishment for their handling of the situation. A decision is due this week.

Now Pewtner, who retired earlier this year, having failed to recover from concussion himself, believes North’s situation is the tip of the iceberg.

“With players getting bigger, stronger and faster every season, it does seem that injuries of all kinds are becoming more frequent,” he said.

“But the brain cannot undergo reconstructive surgery as a shoulder or knee can.

“Something I have learned from my experience is that every head injury is different.

“Having said this, all head-related injuries must be taken seriously.

“In my experience this is the case. I could not have received better medical care and advice when I sustained my injury and continue to receive it now.”

The Sevens specialist represented Wales in three tournaments and was a vital part of the Dragons side that won the Premiership Singha Sevens in August 2015 – the tournament in which he suffered the concussion.

His situation is similar to the one faced by Wales star North, who now won’t play until investigations are complete. He was flipped in the air while attempting to catch a high ball. TV footage suggested North had been knocked unconscious after hitting the ground but the player himself has since tweeted that he was remaining still as he feared he had suffered a neck injury.

He was withdrawn from the pitch for an HIA but returned to action only six minutes later and went on to complete the match against Leicester.

North, who was out of the game for five months last year after suffering four head injuries between November 2014 and March 2015, has since been told he will not return to action until he has been cleared to play by experts.

It was revealed on Friday that the Premiership club will find out next week whether they will face any punishment for the handling of the situation.

Pewtner added: “I think that high profile cases such as George North’s are raising awareness. However, in my experience, the medical staff, match officials and doctors already do a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure they have the latest data and knowledge of how best to handle head injuries.

“The only person who can advise George North are those dealing with