“That answer is more complex than the question itself,” says sports doctor Ruud Van Thienen, who is mainly active in cycling. “It will depend on whether the fracture has moved or not. If you break bone, it can be very dangerous for that fracture to shift too.”
“Especially for your eye, this is not ideal. If there is a shift, he will probably undergo surgery. Because the eye that is in the eye socket must be able to function properly. You often see in people with a fracture in the eye socket that they have double vision. That would be much more serious. In such a case, more rest is needed and the consequences may be more severe. “
“But in the other case, surgery is certainly not a must. Most eye socket fractures heal without surgery. Suppose there is a clear displacement, we would now know that he needs surgery. Since we have not heard this yet, I see it. took a positive note. “
“I don’t think his injury will be fully recovered before the first match, even in the most optimal case. If there is no displacement, an eye socket heals nicely in 2 to 4 weeks. recovery to play. If there is no movement and an operation fails, he can play with a mask. “
“Such a mask is not ideal, but it is hyper-professionally adapted to his head. That is much better than it looks. I don’t think he will be bothered by that in the heat of the battle. I can imagine. that you will be a little more careful when you go into a duel or have to head. Heads are difficult with that mask anyway, for example. “
“If I had De Bruyne under my wing, I would be careful the first few days. If there is no swelling or shifting and everything is neurologically okay, I would motivate him to keep his head high.”
“At the moment we cannot say with certainty whether he will make it. That will only be certain within a few days. But I see the opportunities more positively than negative for him and for us of course. We should worry just enough, but never too much. Mentally it is not easy to deal with such an injury at a crucial moment, but athletes at that level can do that. “
