Brisbane Broncos star Deine Mariner has undergone life-saving surgery on his leg after developing acute compartment syndrome during his team's match against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. The 23-year-old winger left the Allianz Stadium pitch late in the first half but returned with 15 minutes remaining after being deemed fit to play despite suffering a corked muscle in his right leg.
All seemed well until Mariner reported extreme pain to the club's medical team a few hours after the Broncos' 38-24 loss. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance for emergency surgery once the severity of the condition was realized.
Broncos chief medical officer Dr. Matt Hislop said: 'I was called to see Deine at 1:30am. It was obvious that his thigh had worsened. He was in significant pain and the thigh was very firm. We performed an ultrasound hoping to drain a haematoma, but the swelling was diffuse within the muscle, and there was nothing to drain. Thankfully, Deine still had functioning nerves and arteries in his leg, but it was apparent he was developing an acute compartment syndrome.'
An ambulance was called immediately to save Mariner's leg. 'Paramedics were able to provide much-needed pain relief and Deine was transferred to the RPA (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital) emergency department,' Dr. Hislop added. 'A decision was made to perform limb-saving surgery, and Deine was taken to theatre in the early hours of Sunday morning. The length of recovery will be determined as the swelling in the muscle resolves.'
Mariner remains at RPA in Sydney's inner west and is expected to be sidelined for up to two months. He is set to undergo further surgical procedures before being discharged to return to Brisbane.
