Quarterback's (Roethlisberger) State after 24 Hours Is Key

[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."

[Junkdrawer]

1. No helmet, no brains... n/t

[rfranklin]

2. But if you wear a helmet you can't feel the wind in your hair!

It just ruins the whole biking experience. What's a little skull fracture in comparison?

[Binka]

3. Not Wearing A Helmet Is Just STUPID

I don't take my Vespa to the corner without my helmet. Ben fucked up. That said I hope he recovers to learn that lesson.

[cmd]

4. Gee, I wonder why football players wear helmets?

Stupid move, Ben.

[yasmina27]

5. I just read a great analogy

It was an LTE in the same paper this article is from. Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is like not wearing a condom when having sex with multiple unknown partners. It feels good at the time, but eventually you will die.

[acmejack]

6. I'm not even going to start with you people this morning.

My it must be fine to be able to pass judgement on everybody and everything.

[DeadManInc]

7. Most motorcyle injuries are a result

of dumbfucks driving automobiles. I don't know who was at fault in this instance, but people in cars do not watch out for motorcycles.

[MemphisTiger]

8. I'm not sure about that, I see motorcycle drivers

mostly crotchrockets, driving like maniacs weaving in and out of traffic in my town daily.

[endarkenment]

9. Helmet or not motorcycle accidents are very lethal.

I had a colleague at work who bought himself a hot bike and promptly slid off an exit ramp. He was helmeted and leathered up and wasn't even going all that fast, it was just raining and the bike was new. He removed enough skin from his body to cause a fatal post trauma infection and died a very unpleasant death after a week of sheer agony.

Give Roethlisberger a break.

[WinkyDink]

10. Here's the thing: A man who makes his (quite-nicely-compensated)

living via his physical prowess RISKS all by not taking recommended precautions with his physical safety. Whether or not he suffers, as this man is doing, his employer ought to have second thoughts about retaining this employee and all his attendant insurance problems.

But then, I'm an Eagles fan.

[bmbmd]

11. I can hardly wait for the movie to come out.

"The Ben Roethlisberger Story", starring Gary Bussey.