Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has won a legal battle against his surgeon after claiming that an unnecessary procedure prematurely ended his professional football career. The High Court ruled that the surgery contributed to a decline in Ebanks-Blake’s ankle health, with damages to be determined at a future hearing.

Injury and Surgery Background

Ebanks-Blake, now 39, suffered a serious injury during a match against Birmingham City in April 2013. The striker collided with defender Paul Robinson, causing a fracture to his lower left leg, where he had previously sustained an injury. Despite initially believing the damage was limited to a ligament, an MRI scan revealed a fracture, prompting surgery.

The surgery, performed by Professor James Calder, involved cleaning out the joint and removing cartilage. Ebanks-Blake claimed this procedure caused inflammation and accelerated osteoarthritis in his ankle, ultimately leading to the premature end of his playing career.

Court Proceedings and Findings

The surgeon denied the allegations, arguing that the procedure had actually prolonged Ebanks-Blake’s career, which continued for six more years before his retirement in 2019. However, Mrs Justice Lambert ruled in Ebanks-Blake’s favour, stating:

“I am satisfied on balance that, but for the arthroscopy, the claimant would have returned to his pre-accident pain-free state.”

The judge concluded that the decision to perform arthroscopy and related procedures was neither reasonable nor logical, taking into account the modest nature of the initial ankle fracture.

Career Impact

Ebanks-Blake began his professional journey at Manchester United’s youth academy, making his first-team debut in 2004. He moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008, where he played for five seasons. After his injury against Birmingham, he left Wolves and went on to make 71 further professional appearances with Ipswich Town, Preston North End, Shrewsbury Town, and Chesterfield.

Despite continuing to play, Ebanks-Blake claimed in court that the onset of osteoarthritis symptoms significantly impacted his performance and ultimately shortened his career.

Legal Representation

Ebanks-Blake was represented by Simeon Maskrey KC, who stated:

“The onset of symptoms and the development and acceleration of osteoarthritis brought the claimant’s footballing career to a premature end.”

The case highlights the importance of informed consent and medical transparency in sports medicine, particularly for professional athletes.

Next Steps

The High Court has ordered that the amount of damages be assessed at a future hearing. The ruling sets a significant precedent for athletes pursuing legal claims related to medical treatment and career-impacting injuries.