CASE STUDY

As the AFL Grand Final approaches, we look at an orthopaedic surgery story that will resonate with players at all levels of the game, from local leagues to the elite. During this time when footy fever grips the nation, it’s important to remember the challenges faced by players beyond the spotlight.

Liam Townsend-Booth, a passionate 20-year-old footballer from Moonee Valley Football Club in the Essendon District Football League, recently underwent a full shoulder reconstruction at Cabrini. His story is one of perseverance, highlighting the importance of timely medical intervention in sports injuries, a theme that echoes through all levels of Australian football.

Liam’s journey began in 2022 when he first dislocated his shoulder during a football match. What started as a single incident soon became a recurring nightmare. “It was pretty hard to maintain throughout the season,” Liam recalls. “As soon as I got injured, my shoulder continued to dislocate while playing.”

Over two years, Liam experienced seven shoulder dislocations, each one adding to his anxiety on the field. Despite initial attempts to manage the injury through physiotherapy, the persistent dislocations eventually led Liam to consider surgery. He made the decision to undergo a full shoulder reconstruction at Cabrini under the care of Dr Raf Asaid, a renowned Australian-trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder conditions.

Cabrini, one of Victoria’s largest private providers of orthopaedic care, offers a comprehensive range of services including rapid diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation, with a team of 38 surgeons operating at their Malvern and Brighton locations.

Liam’s experience at Cabrini was overwhelmingly positive. “The nurses were very welcoming and checked on me regularly.”

Dr Asaid played a crucial role in easing Liam’s concerns. “He was very easy going. As soon as I saw him, I knew straight away it was going to be a fairly easy process to go through,” Liam says. “He explained it all well, and I didn’t really have too many concerns going into the surgery.”

Now in the early stages of recovery, Liam is making steady progress. “The pain has kind of worn off now after all the medication,” he states. His current rehabilitation routine involves simple exercises, including moving his arm from a 90-degree angle up to his shoulder five times a day.

Despite the setback, Liam remains optimistic about returning to the sport he loves. He’s aiming to rejoin his team, around March 2025. “Hopefully by the start of next season. That’s the plan,” he says with determination.

The experience has given Liam a new perspective on the sport and his playing style. While he admits there’s still some anxiety about potential reinjury, he feels more confident after the surgery. “I think after this surgery, I feel much more confident going into a game than I was before,” he says.

Dr Asaid emphasises the importance of timely intervention in such cases. “When young athletes like Liam dislocate their shoulder, there’s a 90% chance of recurrence due to soft tissue damage,” he notes. “It’s purely bad luck, an accidental trauma that’s hard to prevent in contact sports.”

Drawing from his experience, Liam offers valuable advice to other players facing similar injuries: “If you do your shoulder, I think you should just get the surgery done straight away. Because when you dislocate your shoulder once, you’re pretty much guaranteed to do it again, especially if you’re playing footy.”

As Liam continues his rehabilitation, his teammates eagerly await his return to the field. With the support of Cabrini, Dr Asaid’s expertise, and his own determination, Liam is on track to make a strong comeback in the upcoming season.

Liam’s story is just one example of the many shoulder injuries that occur in contact sports. As we approach the AFL grand final, it’s crucial to understand the risks and challenges faced by players at all levels of the game.

Read more about Cabrini Orthopaedics