Each Round during the Super Rugby Pacific season, we'll be providing an SKG Fitness Update on a player rehabilitating from injury. This week, we catch up on how Jordan Williams is progressing.
Outside back Jordan Williams joined the Western Force Fortescue Academy (Tier 1) in December 2021 after playing with the Two Blues club in Sydney and representing his country with the Australian 7s squad.
He came into the squad recovering from an ankle injury sustained playing 7s. Jordan had an ankle MRI at SKG when he arrived and a plan was made to return to play in January 2022.
After returning to full training with the squad he, unfortunately, sustained a right upper hamstring injury when diving to make a tackle during a live session. Jordan had an acute MRI through SKG, which showed the hamstring needed to be reattached through surgery.
Jordan is now four weeks post-op and has been rehabbing with Academy Physio Ben Pattenden. Early recovery has included:
- Retraining walking, building from crutch use to normal gait
- Use of ‘Game Ready’ ice and compression machines to control swelling and pain
- Electrical stimulation and blood flow restriction to maintain hip, quad, calf and hamstring muscle strength
- Range of motion and isometric strength exercises for his lower body (low intensity)
- Introduced low intensity running drills in the pool and on the low gravity treadmill
- Meeting with Force Dietician Lizzie Yorkston to plan meals that optimise soft tissue healing and maintain muscle mass while rehabilitating
Jordan is aiming to return to team training near the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season. He aims to return to his top speed again, having run a 100m personal best of 10.85 seconds.
We wish Jordan all the best in his recovery and will be providing updates as he gets closer to full fitness.
