SIX years ago Hawthorn and St Kilda passed up the chance to draft the best young player in the country because of concerns about his chronic injuries. Chris Judd had had two shoulder reconstructions by the time he was 18.
A Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal and premiership captain later, Melbourne clubs are once again lining up to make a play for Judd.
But again he is beset by injury problems. Now a chronic groin condition severely restricted his performance in the second half of the season and forced him to miss the Eagles' semi-final loss to Collingwood.
The only evidence of shoulder problems during Judd's already stellar AFL career has been the large wads of strapping displayed each weekend on his shoulders. He does not appear to have been restricted in any way. Will the groin story be the same?
Judd's problem has been dubbed "osteitis pubis" but this is not really an accurate description. We prefer the term "pubic overload".
Several of the largest muscles in the body insert on to the bones of the pelvis, resulting in enormous stress on this area.
With the constant running, kicking and sudden changes of direction, the muscles become increasingly tight and ultimately exert so much force on the bones and the bone tendon interfaces that deep-seated groin pain occurs with exercise. When it gets bad midway thought the season, clubs are faced with the difficult scenario endured by West Coast and Judd towards the end of the Eagles' season.
Only a long period of rest and rehabilitation will solve the problem, so do you keep the player out there slowly getting worse and being of less and less value to the team?
Do you call it quits and prepare for next season, or do you take a few weeks off to try to get one or two more finals games from the player? Tough call.
Given that the problem is overload, the treatment revolves around reducing the muscle tone/tightness with soft tissue massage techniques or by dry needling to the muscles involved. Once the pain has settled, the muscles need to be strengthened in a graduated program. At the same time core stability must be improved through physiotherapy or Pilates.
Surgery is also an option and it is likely that Judd will have post-season surgery next week.
Various types of surgery have been performed for this condition with a simple adductor tendon release, performed mainly by a Sydney sports doctor Neil Halpin, the most popular among AFL players. Luke Ball had this surgery last week.
But even after the surgery, the rehab program takes several months before the player is ready to play again.
Judd will be working hard over the summer and progress will initially be slow and frustrating. Most of these severe groin problems take between four and six months before full training is resumed as the load needs to be increased slowly.
The most likely scenario is that Judd will be ready to play the first game of the 2008 season.
With close monitoring, continual treatment and regulation of his training and playing load, he should be able to continue his career at the same amazing level of performance that has been the feature of the past six seasons.
Peter Brukner is associate professor in sports medicine at Melbourne University.
