Scotland winger Thom Evans has thanked medical staff and wellwishers as he recuperates from the neck injury he suffered against Wales.
Scotland winger returns home to recuperate following neck surgery
Scotland winger Thom Evans has thanked medical staff and wellwishers who sent messages of support in the aftermath of the neck injury he recently suffered against Wales.
The Glasgow Warriors player travelled home on Thursday to continue his recuperation after undergoing two operations on the injury he sustained during the RBS Six Nations match in Cardiff on February 13.
Evans thanked the staff on duty at the Millennium Stadium on the day of the match and also those at the University Hospital Wales.
He said: "The care I received in Cardiff was outstanding and I owe a great debt of gratitude to my main surgeon Sashin Ahuja and neurosurgeon John Martin who accompanied me in the ambulance and who was present during my first operation.
"I cannot thank enough the Scotland team doctor, James Robson, physiotherapist Lisa Casey and WRU doctor Mike Fardy for their extreme professionalism whilst on the Millennium Stadium pitch.
"I have been amazed and moved by the many, many messages of support from well-wishers inside and outside the rugby world who have taken the time to send me and my family their best wishes."
High standard
Ahuja, a spinal surgery consultant, praised the Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union medical teams for the high standard of care Thom received on the pitch.
"I was watching the game and could see the medical care provided on the pitch was excellent," Ahuja said.
"Thom was admitted with a very unstable injury to his neck. He was scanned and operated on within hours of admission.
"The first operation was critical to protect the spinal cord as the vertebra had slipped.
"This was performed on the Saturday night and was successful with Thom showing immediate signs of recovery."
Ahuja continued: "After the second operation, Thom now feels that he can begin his recovery in earnest.
"He will be in a collar for at least six weeks to allow the soft tissue to heal and his care has been transferred to a hospital in Glasgow for outpatient and rehabilitation treatment.
"On behalf of all the staff involved in caring for Thom, we wish him all the best in the future."
Scotland team doctor Robson added: "We have witnessed the rugby and medical families acting as one to ensure Thom has received the very best of treatment, just as Chris Paterson did in the aftermath of his kidney injury and we are most grateful."
