Rio Ferdinand 'treated with spinal cord injections'RSS Feed

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he was given a series of spinal cord injections as part of treatment for a serious back injury, it is reported.

The Manchester United and England defender told the News of the World that the injury was so serious it left him "bent over like a hunchback".

In addition to the spinal injections, he was given physiotherapy and an orthopaedic cushion as part of his medical team's efforts to cure the problem.

"I'm still using the cushion, it helps my posture," Ferdinand said. "I look daft when I'm sat on it in a restaurant - it makes me look really tall. But it has certainly helped."

The player insists he is free of pain now and training "at full pelt" – and is ready to help Manchester United to the Premier League title before captaining England at this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, scientists in Germany have shed new light on the process of inflammation that occurs after spinal cord injuries, Science Centric reports.

Experts at the country's Cancer Research Centre found that a signalling molecule known as CD95L causes the process in injured tissue and prevents it healing.

Serious Law, leading spinal cord injury solicitors

Spinal cord injury footballer 'aims to rebuild life'

22 March 2010

An Indian man who dreamed of becoming a successful footballer is now attempting to rebuild his life after a spinal cord injury cut short his career, it is reported.Jayant Roy was forced into early retirement...

Read More...

Paralympians with spinal cord injuries 'dangerously boosting blood pressure'

22 March 2010

A number of Paralympic athletes with spinal cord injuries have been cheating the rules by deploying various prohibited techniques to get ahead of the competition, it is claimed.One risky practice is a...

Read More...

MMG nerve detection may reduce spinal injury risk

19 March 2010

A new electronic technique has been developed to reduce the risk of spinal injury during surgery.Mechanomyography (MMG) systems help surgeons to locate and avoid nerves during spinal procedures, according...

Read More...