Bulls lock 'lucky not to be paralysed'
by Brenden Nel 16 May 2011, 16:38
Vodacom Blue Bulls lock Cornell Hess was very lucky not to have been paralysed in a horror tackle during last Friday night’s Vodacom Cup final against the Pampas.
Bulls doctor Org Strauss said that former SA Schools and SA under-20 lock Hess will miss at least two months of rugby, but will at least be able to play again after bruising his spinal cord in the fall.
Hess was tackled as he took the ball up, but fell badly and had to be carried off the field. He was taken to a nearby hospital for a scan and after no initial damage was found, was released to go home with his teammates.
Hess was told to go for an MRI scan on Saturday, which revealed bruising on his spinal cord and doctors have taken a conservative route to his recovery.
Dr Strauss told SuperSport.com that it could have been a lot worse for Hess.
“He is very lucky,” Dr Strauss told SuperSport.com, “The fact that his spinal cord is bruised shows just how serious it was from the outset.
“He will be able to play again, but not before the eight-week period is up.”
Dr Strauss said Hess also had a neck scan and saw a specialist who confirmed the bruising.
“It is serious, he could easily have been paralysed,” Dr Strauss added.
Hess said he was still experiencing pins and needles in his arm, but didn’t remember much about the tackle.
“All I can remember is that I went in for a tackle, and thats it,” Hess told SuperSport.com, “At the moment I have pins and needles in both my hands and obviously my neck is still sore.”
Hess admitted he worried about what had happened when he was carried off the field.
“I was stressing that time, a lot went through my mind but thank goodness I was lucky and I am fine. I still need to see the specialist again to be sure of the injury,” he added.
Hess, who has come through all the top SA age-group ranks, and played SA Schools in 2006, SA under-19 and SA under-20, is destined for a bright future.