Medical Sports Expert Issues Shocking Warning About Kirby Dach's Comeback
Guest on 98.5 Sports, sports physiotherapist Gabriel Perreault offered an insightful perspective on serious knee injuries affecting many professional athletes, particularly in hockey.
Drawing on his experience with the Rimouski Océanic, Hockey Quebec, and even the Montreal Canadiens' rookie camp, Perreault provided a detailed analysis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries, a feared injury that recently struck Kirby Dach for a second time in two years.
"Why do we normally take so much time before sending him back? We want to ensure that the longer we wait to return him to play, the more the tendon has become a ligament. So we make sure the graft will remain solid.
What the statistics tell us is that yes, if there's a second surgery, the failure rate increases. However, the athlete can return to their previous level. In studies of athletes from amateur to professional, we have a return-to-play rate of about 80% post-surgery and about 60% return to their previous level. For a professional athlete, this 60% can rise to 80%, which can be interesting. However, depending on the surgery, there may be some limitations."
Gabriel Perreault via 98.5
What the statistics tell us is that yes, if there's a second surgery, the failure rate increases. However, the athlete can return to their previous level. In studies of athletes from amateur to professional, we have a return-to-play rate of about 80% post-surgery and about 60% return to their previous level. For a professional athlete, this 60% can rise to 80%, which can be interesting. However, depending on the surgery, there may be some limitations."
Gabriel Perreault via 98.5
According to him, the challenge is not only physical healing but also the player's mental ability to regain confidence in the operated knee.
Dach's case clearly illustrates this reality. The Canadiens forward, who represented a key piece in the team's rebuild plan, has seen his development slowed by a second major surgery in such a short time.
The Ball Is in Kirby Dach's Court for Another Return to Play
For the physiotherapist, every recovery is unique. He notes that modern medical protocols allow for a safer return to play than in the past, but it remains impossible to guarantee a career without setbacks.
Perreault's comments highlight the complexity of these injuries, which affect both the medical and psychological aspects. In Kirby Dach's case, the coming months will be crucial, and his return at the next training camp will be decisive for his future with the Canadiens.
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