Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio

Broken thumb, minor surgery.....can a rugby league play within week with a plate in and if it is securely wrapped up

While professional athletes sometimes return to contact sports as early as

one to two weeks following surgical fixation with a plate, this is typically reserved for elite players under constant medical supervision and is not the standard recommendation for community rugby.

National Institutes of Health (.gov) +2

For most rugby league players, a one-week turnaround is considered too fast due to the high risks involved.

Typical Return-to-Play Timelines

Professional Level: Professional players (e.g., NRL) often return in 3 to 6 weeks after thumb fracture surgery. Recently, players like Josh Addo-Carr have been expected to miss approximately 3 weeks post-surgery.
Community/Amateur Level: A more conservative timeline of 6 to 12 weeks is often advised to ensure the bone and soft tissues have sufficiently healed to withstand the heavy impact of tackling.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust +4

Factors Influencing Early Return

Position: "Nonskilled" players (e.g., forwards/linemen) can sometimes return earlier (approx. 2–4 weeks) if they can play in a protective cast, whereas "skilled" players (e.g., backs) who require a precise grip typically take longer (6–10 weeks).
Fixation Stability: Plate and screw fixation is generally preferred over K-wires because it provides more immediate stability, potentially allowing for an earlier

This is all comliments of AI, I'm not smart enough to come up with this.

"Typical dramas all before season kick off! The never ending story! Looks like incense burning more than smoking anything! It's anothing story but as we all know the media loves anything that pull an Eels player through the mud"

"MeelK that is the best point made. We have to remember that Iongi has no doubt visited some hospitals (Ronald Mc House). As others have said Poor Latrell got a week.....and yet this is an old image."

Replies

- Randy Handlinger > ParraEels February 23, 2026 at 9:25pm
  
  Yep. He can by 4th round hopefully
- SuperEel 22 > ParraEels February 24, 2026 at 7:50am
  
  They've inserted a plate, so he needs time for the bones to heal. Fortunately, the insert of a plate generally speeds up recovery as there is something solid for the bones to heal to.
  - Poppa > SuperEel 22 February 24, 2026 at 2:51pm
    
    Broken thumb, minor surgery.....can a rugby league play within week with a plate in and if it is securely wrapped up
    
    While professional athletes sometimes return to contact sports as early as
    one to two weeks following surgical fixation with a plate, this is typically reserved for elite players under constant medical supervision and is not the standard recommendation for community rugby.
    
    National Institutes of Health (.gov) +2
    
    For most rugby league players, a one-week turnaround is considered too fast due to the high risks involved.
    
    Typical Return-to-Play Timelines
    
    Professional Level: Professional players (e.g., NRL) often return in 3 to 6 weeks after thumb fracture surgery. Recently, players like Josh Addo-Carr have been expected to miss approximately 3 weeks post-surgery.
    
    Community/Amateur Level: A more conservative timeline of 6 to 12 weeks is often advised to ensure the bone and soft tissues have sufficiently healed to withstand the heavy impact of tackling.
    South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust +4
    
    Factors Influencing Early Return
    
    Position: "Nonskilled" players (e.g., forwards/linemen) can sometimes return earlier (approx. 2–4 weeks) if they can play in a protective cast, whereas "skilled" players (e.g., backs) who require a precise grip typically take longer (6–10 weeks).
    
    Fixation Stability: Plate and screw fixation is generally preferred over K-wires because it provides more immediate stability, potentially allowing for an earlier
    
    This is all comliments of AI, I'm not smart enough to come up with this.
BEM February 23, 2026 at 9:17pm

As our backline isn't top class to begin with, losing Fox is disastrous.

At least if it was a forward we have plenty of semi quality backups.
- Eli Stephens > BEM February 23, 2026 at 9:22pm
  
  Storm smashed with injuries as well, broncos week 2 we would have lost anyway. Just glad he's back rd 3/4 lol
  - Randy Handlinger > Eli Stephens February 23, 2026 at 9:28pm
    
    Hang on.. . just saturday I gave you a Unicorn gif for saying we'd beat them both easy
  - Poppa > Eli Stephens February 24, 2026 at 2:53pm
    
    That's a shit house response Eli, glad you don't play for Parra.
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 February 23, 2026 at 9:20pm

The Kelly signing is looking more like a master-stroke now with very little notice. - well done to Ryles, and Mark O’Neill.
ParraPride February 23, 2026 at 11:18pm

Will we ever get a full season out of him??
Mallee57 February 23, 2026 at 11:53pm

Who replaces him?