Blues’ and All Black back Isaia Toeava’s hip injury takes him out of rugby
Isaia Toeava of the Blues makes a break during the round two Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Blues at Waikato Stadium on March 2, 2012 in Hamilton, New Zealand. Photo by Hannah Johnston
Isaia Toeava has not been able to play for the Blues since Round 2 after pain forced him to the sideline. Scans have revealed an unhealed stress fracture in the cup of his right hip joint (non union of an acetabular stress fracture) which may keep Toeava off the field for several months.
Blues’ team doctor Stephen Kara explains. “This is a recurring injury that has most likely been present since the original diagnosis in May of 2011 which failed to heal with non-surgical, conservative treatment. It is likely that some of the pain he experienced during RWC2011 was due to this injury and with the post-RWC rest period, the pain did not recur until approximately six weeks ago.
Initially this pain failed to settle with medications as it had done in the past and further imaging via CT scan revealed the diagnosis. This means that surgery might now have to be an option, something Isaia and the medical team will discuss with a specialist.”
At this stage it is difficult to determine how long Toeava will be out from rugby. However it is expected to be at least three months and if surgery is undertaken, then that time period will be longer.
Toeava is extremely frustrated at this latest injury blow. “I’ve had a rough run with this hip. It was painful last year but it seemed it might have come right during the break after the World Cup. But that wasn’t the case and I have been struggling with it this season. It’s really frustrating because I just want to be out there with my team.”
With the run of injuries the Blues have faced early this season, players from the Wider Training Group have been called in to cover positions.
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