There's a full article in The Journal this morning on Dyer's condition, following weeks of vascillating and B.S. from the Club on his condition.

This finally confirms a bone cyst on his shin - compounded by a stress fracture which now requires pinning. His second operation, planned for later today, will effect a bone graft from his hip to repair the site of the cyst in his shin, plus the necessary repair to the stress fracture.

Clearly, these are far from trivial procedures and his recovery time is already the subject of speculation, although BR is still expecting him to be available for the start of next season.

I've indicated before on here that I actually have a benign bone cyst in my thigh which doesn't cause any discomfort as it's a relatively small cyst in a large diameter bone. When this was revealed in an x-ray for something else, I naturally did a little research on the subject. What disturbs me about the entire situation with Dyer is the following:

1) a cyst is NOT difficult to diagnose. It shows up clearly on an x-ray, and does not require sophisticated scans.

2) a cyst in small diameter bone WILL weaken the bone, and if it's large enough can inevitably result in a fracture.

3) a cyst will not improve/diminsh/disappear "with rest" - which was Dyer's prescribed treatment. If it is there, and large enough to be of concern it needs to be removed and repaired with a bone graft.

How can it possibly be that through either flawed or mistaken diagnosis our prize asset - arguably worth £15-20 million - can be told to "rest" a permanent physical condition that anyone with even rudimentary medical training should know weakens the relevant bone, and significantly increases the risk of fracture: should know it requires surgical intervention: and above all should surely understand the risks involved in continuing to play a high impact, intensely physical sport at the highest professional level????

In my mind these are perhaps the most serious questions yet raised about the competence of the present management of NUFC and its support staff/services.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Answers

Bloody scary. Bloody stupid and amateurish.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Clarky, I remember you told us this months ago and it got me worried then. Thing is Dyer isn't the only one the club have treated like this. Shearer isn't a 'flogged horse' for no good reason, in his time at Newcastle he's had 3 major ops and after each one his so-called remekable powers of recovery have meant he's come back far too early and struggled for form. Carl Cort - 7 million, one early comeback,out for another 4 months. Amateurish and a great way to treat anyone let alone a major investment. No-ne on the management team can escape blame for this.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001