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A former Premier League footballer has successfully challenged a leading surgeon in the High Court, claiming an “unnecessary procedure” prematurely ended his career. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, 39, had his left leg broken in April 2013. The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker was injured during the match against Birmingham City.
During a subsequent operation to repair the injury, surgeon Professor James Calder reportedly cleaned out the joint and removed the cartilage.
Mr Ebanks-Blake argued that this action “led to inflammation” and hastened the onset of osteoarthritis in his ankle, quickly ending his playing career.
He also said the surgeon failed to properly inform him about the risks associated with the procedure.
Professor Calder denied the claims and said that if anything, the treatment prolonged the player’s career, as he continued to play for six years before retiring in 2019.
But following a trial in London earlier this year, Mrs Justice Lambert found that the surgery, known as an arthroscopy, contributed to the decline in Mr Ebanks-Blake’s health.
“I am satisfied that, but for the arthroscopy, the claimant would have returned to his pre-accident pain-free condition,” he said Thursday.
Mr Ebanks-Blake began his career in 2002 at the age of 15, playing for Manchester United’s youth academy, and made his first-team debut in 2004.
A year later, he injured his left lower leg after being tackled, but was able to continue playing after taking the rest of the season off.
In 2008, he signed with Wolves and became their top goalscorer until a collision with a defender in 2013.
Mr Ebanks-Blake said in a witness statement to the court that the other player’s full body weight had fallen on the lower part of his left leg, where he had sustained a previous injury.
He believed the damage was only to his ligament, and went home, but an MRI scan revealed a fracture.
After meeting Professor Calder, he underwent ankle surgery which led to further complications and ultimately his retirement.
At a previous hearing in July, Simeon Maskrey Casey, for Mr Ebanks-Blake, said: “The onset of symptoms and the development and exacerbation of osteoarthritis brought a premature end to the claimant’s football career.”
Defending the claim, Professor Calder said the injuries were serious and it would have been negligent not to perform surgery.
But Mrs Justice Lambert said Mr Ebanks-Blake had suffered “only a moderately acute ankle fracture”.
He said: “Taking all these factors into account, I am satisfied that the decision to carry out the arthroscopy and other procedures was neither appropriate nor logical.”
The judge added: “I am satisfied that the removal of scar tissue and/or deformed cartilage caused pain to the claimant.
“The removal of scar tissue destabilized the joint by removing padding and altering the biomechanics of the joint, which increased joint motion, increased instability, and accelerated degenerative changes in the ankle joint.”
The next hearing to assess the amount of damages to be paid will take place at a later date.