The “DL” Report: NFL Week 9

San Francisco 49ers suffered another major injury to their backfield. First there was running back Jerrick McKinnon, who tore his ACL in preseason, then there was Franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who tore his ACL in the first weeks of the season, and now add running back Raheem Mostert, who broke both of the bones in his forearm.

So he was feeling really good after his touchdown run, only to follow-up with an unfortunate injury.

And when you saw it in slow motion it gruesome to watch. I could not believe it. While I don’t think it’s worse than seeing an ankle fracture and dislocate but it certainly makes you uncomfortable.

And after seeing that injury, it’s safe to say he’s out for the year.

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Anatomy Review:

The forearm is created by two bones: the radius and the ulna. The radius is the bone that moveable and rotates about the ulna. The radius bone is on the thumb side. The ulna is on the pinkie side. The ulna creates the “true” elbow joint that allows you to bend your forearm at the elbow. The radius is what allows your hand to go palms up or palms down.

For forearm fractures, many occur via falling on an outstretched hand (the case with Raheem Mostert) or a directly blow to the forearm that causes either one bone or both bones to break.

There are two main classes of forearm fractures:

Galeazzi Fracture: fracture of the radius with dislocation of the ulna at the wrist.

Monteggia Fracture: fracture of the ulna with dislocation of the radius at the elbow.

With a fracture of this severity, what also has to be assessed is the integrity of the vascular structures and of the nerves. What you risk in a complete fracture of both bones is damaging the arteries and veins and nerves of the forearm and hand.

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Rehabilitation Review:

He’s going to be casted for several weeks as the bones are reset and the cast is used to help influence fusion and repair. Once he’s free from the cast and from being immobilized the first portion of care about regaining movement in his fingers, his wrist, and his elbow. Restoring motion.

He’ll be doing physical therapy for the next several months. Ideally in about six months will he be fully [activities of daily living] functional and then a few months after that he should be fully football and sports-related functional.

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Season Outlook:

He is out for the season. He should be good to go by the start of next season’s training camp. He certainly could be back for the start of mini-camp and summer workouts as well. It is just a matter of making sure there are no setbacks in the healing process as the bones are set and grow back.

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Disclaimer: Remember I don’t own the videos or pictures. That credit goes to the NFL, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, FOXSports. The thoughts and opinions are my own.