Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

[Jackass]

Risteard wrote: »

You seem to know a bit about this Jaco, and sorry for going off topic, but what would you say the effects of having no cartilage in your knee have on someone playing amateur club rugby, and obviously no where near the size of Ferris?

I've had a number of serious knee injuries that meant I had to stop playing at schools level.

The cartilage in your knee protects the joints. With loss of cartilage, the long term damage would be erosion and arthritis in the joint.

As mentioned, it's more a case of protecting existing cartilage rather than replacing cartilage. The more vigerous the demands put on the joint, the more the cartilage will erode, and the higer the risk of arthritis.

You can go to a GP to be referred to a specialist for a scan of your knee in hospital, or see a physio who can give you exercises to strenthen the support of the knee from the tendons.

Non-impact exercise such as swimming and cycling are good for building up the muscle around knee joints.

Risteard

[Jackass] wrote: »

I've had a number of serious knee injuries that meant I had to stop playing at schools level.

The cartilage in your knee protects the joints. With loss of cartilage, the long term damage would be erosion and arthritis in the joint.

As mentioned, it's more a case of protecting existing cartilage rather than replacing cartilage. The more vigerous the demands put on the joint, the more the cartilage will erode, and the higer the risk of arthritis.

You can go to a GP to be referred to a specialist for a scan of your knee in hospital, or see a physio who can give you exercises to strenthen the support of the knee from the tendons.

Non-impact exercise such as swimming and cycling are good for building up the muscle around knee joints.

I've done it once already at which point the doctor repaired it and said it only had a certain % of working and if it didn't he'd have to take it out, he did say I'd still be able to play rugby but I'd be guaranteed arthritis at an earler age.

Happened again so went for an MRI scan, seeing him again at the end of the month so just wondering what to expect.

jacothelad

Risteard wrote: »

You seem to know a bit about this Jaco, and sorry for going off topic, but what would you say the effects of having no cartilage in your knee have on someone playing amateur club rugby, and obviously no where near the size of Ferris?

I was a Senior lecturer in clinical Anatomy and Physiology with a special interest obviously in sport. The problem we have with cartilage and tendon damage is that they have a very limited blood supply. Without this the body can't repair itself. Once cartilage is removed for good clinical reasons there is no going back - at least in terms of playing a high tempo game like rugby which involves turning and shearing forces on the knees. If you have significant damage but can manage the symptoms with anti-inflammatory prescription drugs such as Diclofenac Sodium, Naproxen, Celebrex etc and pain relief with co-codamol 30/500 then there is no reason not to play, at least until your g.p. or consultant orthopedic surgeon tells you different. You are a long time dead. Using strong elasticated and properly adjusted knee supports and avoiding very muddy grounds will prolong your ability to enjoy the game. Aerobic exercise can be by swimming or cycling thus removing some of the load bearing stresses on the joint. It cuts out the hell of training on soggy pitches. It isn't as good but it reduces the chance of injury in training. Muddy conditions are hell on damaged joints. They increase the turning forces quite a bit.

There is a major caveat and that is that without cartilage, we have bone grinding on bone. This is a major cause of arthritis and this will certainly occur. Most people would decide that they'd rather have a few more relatively pain free years than play on and at today's current line of thought, getting a new knee is just about a one off and needs to be left as long as possible.

There are downsides also with taking NSAIDs such as the drugs I mentioned above. They all have the possibility of causing major side effects including haemorrhaging and ulceration in the digestive tract. Diclofenac has been shown to increase the chances of heart disease slightly, others - and there are quite a few - do other things. They are often very effective drugs but must be taken exactly as directed including with a substantial meal. For some users they have an almost magical effect in removing the inflammation that causes chronic pain. It doesn't fix anything and wear and tear will procede behind the hidden pain.

Edit: There are about 170 types of arthritis. The term simply means inflammation of a joint and has many causes including it is suspected virus causation.

jacothelad

On a happier note, Ferris has twittered, tweeted etc that he is still running so maybe things are settling in the joint. I remember reading about a major NBA star who played for quite a few years with the same damage and basketball is hell on knees. I don't know what treatment he had but maybe a little Columbian Marching Sherbet was involved.

GerM

jacothelad wrote: »

I was a Senior lecturer in clinical Anatomy and Physiology

I've wasted my life!

ormond lad

Romain Poite will referee his first Heineken Cup knock-out match when Northampton Saints and Ulster Rugby clash in Milton Keynes in the first of the Sunday quarters

So long as he can get match fit in time!

WeeBushy

jacothelad wrote: »

On a happier note, Ferris has twittered, tweeted etc that he is still running so maybe things are settling in the joint. I remember reading about a major NBA star who played for quite a few years with the same damage and basketball is hell on knees. I don't know what treatment he had but maybe a little Columbian Marching Sherbet was involved.

I also read in the Irish Times today that he is setting new PBs in the gym. This scares me. In a good way

Very much hope he can get back to full fitness and stay that way for quite a while, he's one heck of a player.

jacothelad

ormond lad wrote: »

Romain Poite will referee his first Heineken Cup knock-out match when Northampton Saints and Ulster Rugby clash in Milton Keynes in the first of the Sunday quarters

Ramon 'Inspector Clouseau' Poite. That's us fooked then. The world's second worst referee and a total homer. A total gomeril who loves the sound of his own voice beyond anything.

GerM wrote: »

I've wasted my life!

Nah. You haven't. I really enjoyed my job and had a great working life but I didn't rush into a career. I took my time and really fell on my feet. I'd have been happy in just about anything related to biological sciences. I retired when the opportunity came along and have spent the last 10 years doing pretty much what I like....mostly relaxing.

sock puppet

Deleted User wrote: »

So long as he can get match fit in time!

You talking about Ferris or Poite?

jacothelad

Poite was injured on Saturday. I hope it isn't serious but gives him a bit of a lay off so that he can reflect on his chosen career path and find the inspiration to make an immediate change.

liam12989

whats the latest on botha.ulster really need him fit.

conf101

[Jackass] wrote: »

Sketches of Ravenhill on completion:

http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?uri=116763&ext=PDF
http://epicdocs.planningni.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?uri=116764&ext=PDF

Looks great.

Looks like it's gonna be a smashing place. For some reason it reminds me of Parnell Park. I'm sure it'll be much better though.

CIARAN_BOYLE

The team I want to see this weekend against Glasgow

1 Court
2 Kyriacou
3 Fitzpatrick
4 Muller
5 Tuohy
6 Wannenberg
7 Falloon
8 Diack

9 Pienaar
10 Wallace
11 Danielli
12 Spence
13 Cave
14 Gilroy
15 D'arcy

I want to try out the halfback combination. I don't know what Ian Humphrey's injury status is but he is out this weekend and I think Ulster need to try out these combinations in order to decide whether plan b should be Paul Marshall + Ruan Pienaar or Ruan Pienaar + Paddy Wallace

CIARAN_BOYLE

(15-9): S Danielli; C Gaston, N Spence, P Wallace, C Gilroy; R Pienaar, P Marshall;
(1-8): Tom Court, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): R Best, P McAllister, B Young, T Barker, W Faloon, I Whitten, T Seymour, A D'Arcy.

The actual team for this weekend against Glasgow. A bit surprised that Danielli is at 15. That said he is the second choice 15 for big matches and needs a test there every so often.

Gaston and Gilroy on the wing aren't surprises given that Trimble is injured and Danielli is on the wing and Seymour is leaving at the end of the season.

I'm kinda surprised to not see Cave amoung the replacements. After last's week match he must have felt some kind of twinge and the management must feel to give him another week's rest. There is no chance that he will start against Northampton imo.

If Cave isn't in the running for Northampton I feel that the centers are the right choice since there is no one of sufficient standard to come in. Marshall is injured, and I don't rate Whitten.

It only makes sense for Porter and Pienaar to play together at halfback since they are going to be halfbacks if Humpheries isn''t fit. They have established that recently when Porter comes on for the 10 and plays SH.

As to the pack exactly as I expected, well to be honest I felt that Diack would be in there instead of Henry but its very much a horses for courses slecetion.

Its a strong side that I think will win.

damianmcr

Just copied this from UAFC forum:

From the horse's mouth tonight at Ravenhill
Me - "How's the training going?"
1F - "Going well but I can't wait to get out there next Friday night."
Me - "You'll be playing next Friday?"
1F - "Oh aye, definitely"
Me - "What about Humph?"
1F - "He's just given his hamstring a wee tweak. He'll be back too. And BJ should be back for Northampton. He can't straighten his arm cos of his elbow. He won't be able to for a couple of years but it's his binding arm so he doesn't need to."

jacothelad

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

(15-9): S Danielli; C Gaston, N Spence, P Wallace, C Gilroy; R Pienaar, P Marshall;
(1-8): Tom Court, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): R Best, P McAllister, B Young, T Barker, W Faloon, I Whitten, T Seymour, A D'Arcy.

The actual team for this weekend against Glasgow. A bit surprised that Danielli is at 15. That said he is the second choice 15 for big matches and needs a test there every so often.

Gaston and Gilroy on the wing aren't surprises given that Trimble is injured and Danielli is on the wing and Seymour is leaving at the end of the season.

I'm kinda surprised to not see Cave amoung the replacements. After last's week match he must have felt some kind of twinge and the management must feel to give him another week's rest. There is no chance that he will start against Northampton imo.

If Cave isn't in the running for Northampton I feel that the centers are the right choice since there is no one of sufficient standard to come in. Marshall is injured, and I don't rate Whitten.

It only makes sense for Porter and Pienaar to play together at halfback since they are going to be halfbacks if Humpheries isn''t fit. They have established that recently when Porter comes on for the 10 and plays SH.

As to the pack exactly as I expected, well to be honest I felt that Diack would be in there instead of Henry but its very much a horses for courses slecetion.

Its a strong side that I think will win.

By Porter i take it you mean Paul Marshall.

CIARAN_BOYLE

jacothelad wrote: »

By Porter i take it you mean Paul Marshall.

Oh god yes, misprint, a friend was talking to me about Porter's potential while I was writing that and I typed the wrong name.

thomond2006

Where's Jamie Smith these days? I know he was injured for a while but I thought he was back available now? Has he got hurt again or is he just out of favour?

jacothelad

Ulster next season have a bit of a mishmash in the front row. 3 very good hookers and then........
LOOSEHEADS.
Young....mmmmmmmmmmm. o.k. I suppose. Is great when the 3s scrummaging is legal. Once it isn't, he gets his hoop rooted.
Black...Unknown quantity... Coming up a class...scary
McAllister...Seems on the right track
Court... Good loose-head who needs to become a tight-head again

TIGHTHEADS
Afoa.....................LOOSEHEAD ALSO...AND HOOKER
Fitzpatrick...CAN PLAY 1 VERY WELL.
Macklin.......?????????????????????????BIG IF.. Could be a monster - or - a marshmallow. the jury is out.
Cronin.......Has been o.k. and is worth persevering with.
Whitten.....as above.


There are others at the Academy but I wouldn't hold my breath.

irishbucsfan

The referee tonight has been absolutely appalling

The pitch is an absolute disgrace too

edit: as was that sequence

ambid

Deleted User wrote: »

The pitch is an absolute disgrace too

Yeah. I don't know how Partick are going to play soccer on that thing.

I wouldn't leave cattle on it tbh.

Poor effort from Pienaar there, that was an important kick

irishbucsfan

This is the worst refereeing performance I think Ive seen all year (on tv that is)

CouchSmart

Best still hasn't learned. Kept making the same mistake for Ireland, if it's 50:50 just leave it, Rory!

wixfjord

Another disgraceful reffing decision, another ML game.
Ffs when is this ****e going to end.

irishbucsfan

CouchSmart wrote: »

Best still hasn't learned. Kept making the same mistake for Ireland, if it's 50:50 just leave it, Rory!

Are you mad!? :pac:

Best was sin binned for being the tackler there. Its just appalling refereeing.

damianmcr

Needed that over.

Ruan at 9. Hopefully do better than Marshall.

CouchSmart

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Are you mad!? :pac:

Best was sin binned for being the tackler there. Its just appalling refereeing.

Was Best not the player competing for the ball on the ground?