Nick Matthew, squash World Champion and defending double Commonwealth Games champion, underwent successful minor surgery on his right knee earlier this week to repair a small tear in the meniscus.
The World Champion is now working through an intensive rehabilitation programme with the aim of recovering in time for Glasgow 2014. Both he and his medical advisors are optimistic that he will be fit in time for the start of the Commonwealth Games on 24th July.
Matthew, winner of gold medals in both singles and doubles in Delhi 2010, first felt pain in the right knee on Monday 16th June whilst on court, having never previously suffered from knee problems. After a week of treatment, a meniscus tear was diagnosed and minor surgery was recommended as the best course of action. The operation, performed at the Sheffield Claremont Hospital, took place on the morning of Monday 23rd June in order to allow the maximum recovery time.
“Obviously the timing is not ideal but injuries like this can happen at any time and that’s just part of professional sport,” said Matthew. “I’m glad that we’ve taken the decisive action to fix the tear and my medical team are very positive about Glasgow.
I have five weeks of rehab and lots of hard work ahead of me to be fit but I have a great team working with me at the English Institute of Sport (EIS)in Sheffield and Manchester and at England Squash and Racketball (ESR) in Manchester. I’m determined to be ready and I’m optimistic that I will be.”
Jade Leeder, Head Physiotherapist at the English Institute of Sport and England Squash and Racketball, will take the lead in Matthew’s treatment.
Mark Campbell, Matthew’s strength and conditioning coach, will be assisting with a tailored fitness programme to ensure that he is in the best possible shape for Glasgow 2014.