Freak injury puts Shivendra out of action

V Narayan Swamy, TNN

BANGALORE: A freak collarbone injury has put India’s striker Shivendra Singh out of action for a few months. But what has emerged after the surgery he underwent four days back is that the injury could have been life-threatening had he delayed going under the knife.

The air of confidence was unmistakable as Shivendra, 28, turned out for Air India in the quarterfinal against Karnataka in the National hockey championship at Bhopal a few days ago. But a violent collision with Vikramkanth changed all that, with the left collarbone being ripped out of its socket and positioned dangerously enough to wreak damage on his food and wind pipes.

Groggy after the collision, Shivendra was substituted by his team for a breather and icing. The pain didn’t subside but the Air India player made light of the discomfiture as he took the field again. His stint didn’t last long as he could hardly hold the stick. It was then that he sensed something was wrong.

Preliminary treatment at Bhopal followed by x-rays and MRI scans revealed the dislocation. Despite the pain cramping his mobility, Shivendra spent around 10 days consulting doctors but according to him, not many were ready to perform the surgery.

Eventually, Dhanraj Pillay, Shivendra’s senior in the team, took him to renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi. With Air India footing the bill, the surgery was performed on Thursday.

“The doctors told me that had I delayed the surgery, the collarbone could have destroyed my food and wind pipes. They said the dislocation was so bad that the bone was touching the food pipe. I can only thank God that I got timely help,” Shivendra told TOI from Mumbai.

The fighter that he is, Shivendra is keen on turning out for India in the Champions Trophy in December and the Olympic qualifiers next year. With no Olympic appearance under his belt – he has played two World Cups and as many Asian Games (both 2006 and 2010) – he is keen on helping India qualify for London 2012.

“The doctors said I would require at least four months to recover. But I am confident of making the team for the big tournaments. I am in touch with the team support staff and it is only a matter of time before I get into rehab,” he said.

Indian team physio Srikanth Iyengar did not commit to any time frame as the reports of Shivendra’s injury and surgery were yet to reach him. “It all depends on how quickly Shivendra recovers. I am in touch with him and will be advising him as to what to do in the coming weeks,” he said.