2 weeks Ago
A former England international has undergone 'life-changing surgery' at a Bolton hospital. Martin Dobson, who played for Everton, Burnley, and Bury, had an operation on his right hand at the Beaumont Hospital, in Bolton. This surgery was deemed necessary to prevent the need for more drastic intervention.
Born in Rishton, Lancashire, Mr Dobson was the first professional football player to be transferred for a record £300,000 when he moved from Burnley to Everton in August 1974. He enjoyed a successful career, making more than 600 league appearances in a 20-year career with Burnley, Everton , and Bury. He also appeared five times for England, making his debut in 1974 against Portugal.
Mr Dobson said: "Dupuytren’s fasciectomy is not easy to pronounce but easy to recognise. "My little finger on my right hand was bent right over and I couldn’t straighten it at all. "I was told later that if I didn’t have an operation, in time, the only alternative would be an amputation.
" Dupuytren’s fasciectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat Dupuytren’s disease, a condition that causes a person's fingers to bend towards their palm. The surgery removes the thickened, tight tissue in the palm, allowing for improved mobility and articulation of the hand. Mr Dobson was referred to specialist surgeon Mr James Warner at the Beaumont Hospital.
He said: "During my playing career, I had several severe injuries. "From a broken leg to a bruised lung and breaking my nose twice. "It’s always daunting to face general anaesthetic but Mr Warner and his team were wonderful.
" Mr Dobson's operation took place in July and lasted 90 minutes, which he described as "the same length as a Premier League match today." Following the surgery, he was supported by the private physiotherapy team at the Beaumont Hospital to ensure his recovery continued as planned. Now more than four months on from his surgery, Mr Dobson is pain-free and grateful for the swift intervention at the Beaumont Hospital.
He said: "I am healing well and have had occasional catch-ups with Mr Warner and the private physiotherapy team. "Everyone has been professional, knowledgeable and friendly. "I’ve been lucky to have had the right people at the right time take care of me and everybody I came across at the Beaumont Hospital was in that bracket.
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