Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has won a significant legal victory at the High Court, successfully suing a leading surgeon over a procedure he claims brought a premature end to his professional football career.
The Injury and the Disputed Surgery
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, now 39, suffered a broken left leg during a match against Birmingham City in April 2013. Following the fracture, he underwent surgery performed by Professor James Calder.
During the operation, the surgeon performed an arthroscopy, cleaning out the ankle joint and removing some cartilage. Mr Ebanks-Blake contended that this action "gave rise to inflammation" and significantly accelerated the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis in his ankle.
A crucial part of the claim was that Professor Calder failed to properly inform the player of the risks associated with the additional arthroscopic procedure.
Clashing Arguments in Court
Professor Calder defended the claim vigorously, denying negligence. He argued that the injuries from the 2013 match were severe and that it would have been negligent not to perform the surgery. He further stated that, if anything, the treatment prolonged Mr Ebanks-Blake's career, as the striker continued to play professionally for another six years before retiring in 2019.
However, after a trial in London, Mrs Justice Lambert found in favour of the former footballer. The judge concluded that the player had sustained a "modest acute ankle fracture only" and that the decision to undertake the arthroscopy was "neither reasonable nor logical."
Judgment and Consequences
In her ruling, Mrs Justice Lambert stated: "I am satisfied on balance that, but for the arthroscopy, the claimant would have returned to his pre-accident pain-free state."
She explained that the removal of scar tissue and degenerate cartilage during the operation caused the player's ongoing pain. This action destabilised the ankle joint, removing natural cushioning, altering its biomechanics, and leading to increased instability and the acceleration of degenerative change.
The court heard that Mr Ebanks-Blake's career began at Manchester United's youth academy. After signing for Wolves in 2008, he became their top scorer. The 2013 injury occurred when an opponent's full weight landed on the lower part of his left leg, the same area injured in a separate incident in 2005.
A further hearing will be held to assess the amount of damages Professor Calder must pay. This case highlights critical issues regarding informed consent and surgical decision-making in sports medicine.
