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Edited on Tue Jun-13-06 06:11 AM by Divernan
www.post-gazette.com
Pittsburgh, Pa. Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Doctors should soon know whether Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can recover from his motorcycle crash and return to football. . . The best-case scenario is for Mr. Roethlisberger to leave the hospital in several days, continue his recovery at home, and be able to play football this fall, Dr. Wilberger said.
But the progress he makes in the first 24 hours will determine if other injuries, initially undetected, could cause more significant health problems for the Steelers quarterback, he said. "Assuming there's not more to it than what we know, his recovery shouldn't be that long," Dr. Wilberger said, basing his comments on information available to the public six to eight hours after the accident. "It looks reasonably good, given what could have happened.
Given what he's learned of Mr. Roethlisberger's injuries, Dr. Wilberger said there's nothing to suggest Mr. Roethlisberger could not return to football. "But we have to make sure he gets through the period where more serious injuries can show up."
Swelling of the brain can occur after an accident, and even patients with relatively mild brain injuries can have problems with memory or concentration,said Dr. Jack Wilberger,director of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Brain Injury and Repair.
(SECOND ARTICLE AT SAME LINK) "Multiple Injuries, Few Answers for Roethlisberger"
Multiple injuries, few answers for Roethlisberger Four surgeons work for 7 hours to repair facial fractures Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Doctors successfully repaired what they said were multiple facial fractures suffered in a motorcycle accident yesterday by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but no one would say how his injuries would affect his ability to play. The 24-year-old quarterback, who was not wearing a helmet, was in serious but stable condition at Mercy Hospital after undergoing seven hours of surgery performed by a team of four surgeons.
Dr. Daniel Pituch, chief of Mercy's division of oral and maxillofacial surgery, said Mr. Roethlisberger underwent surgery for multiple facial fractures after being evaluated by the surgical team. "All of the fractures were successfully repaired," he said.Dr. Pituch would not elaborate further on the quarterback's head injuries. But he indicated that the quarterback did not suffer any other serious injuries. "His brain, spine, chest and abdomen appear to be without serious injury and there are no other confirmed injuries at this time," Dr. Pituch said.
Mr. Roethlisberger smashed his cycle into the car near the front passenger side. His head crashed into the car's windshield, shattering it and leaving a 6-inch hole. Witnesses said he flew over the car and landed on his head on the pavement. A pool of blood marked the spot long after Mr. Roethlisberger was rushed by ambulance to nearby Mercy Hospital.
"The cautionary note is, everyone should wear a helmet," said Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital. "If he had a helmet on he might have been able to get up and walk away, take the helmet off and be scared to death, but be fine."
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