Colts All-Pro quarterback and four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning is working hard to rehab from off season neck surgery, but the process is much more difficult this year. The NFL lockout is doing more than preventing free agent signings and mini-camps, it also limits any contact with team medical staff.
For players like Manning, who are working to rehab injuries and get ready for the season on their own, the inability to work with team trainers or therapists is impeding their rehabilitation. Manning has indicated that the limitations placed on him by the lockout are likely slowing his comeback.
“The lockout didn’t allow me to work with my (Indianapolis Colts) therapist, Erin Barill, and I’m just not comfortable taking any chances with this thing,” Manning said, as reported by ESPN. “Erin knows me. He’s rehabbed me through two other surgeries and I think most people understand that once you build up a trust with your therapist, that’s the guy you want and need to work with.”
NFL team medical personnel are not allowed to interact with the players, or participate directly in their rehabilitation, although they are allowed to communicate with outside doctors. Players have been forced to work out and rehab on their own, which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of injury recovery. In addition, the player-only workouts without access to team medical staff are not only less effective, there is also a higher risk of new or repeat injuries.
Manning gave no indication that he expects to miss the start of the 2011 regular season, but that his participation in training camp is an “unknown” after the lockout.
Manning had the surgery on May 23rd to correct a bulging disk, and it is his second surgery in 15 months. In March 2010, he had surgery to eradicate a buildup of calcium in his neck, but the two procedures were not related, according to Manning.
Manning has long been one of the iron men in the NFL. His current streak of 208 consecutive regular season starts is longest among active players, and tied for eighth most in NFL history.
Manning has had a very busy offseason, but some of it has been much more positive. Besides dealing with the surgery and rehab of his injury, both Peyton and his brother, Giants quarterback Eli Manning, have become fathers since late March. Hopefully, the lockout and injuries will soon be behind them and both of the new dads will be back on the field soon.
