Both players are recovering well from their shoulder operations carried out at Spire Hospital Cardiff, by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Richard Evans.

Speaking of the progress made by the players Mr. Evans said,

"Gethin and Martyn had similar injuries, with instability in the shoulder which was causing their shoulders to partially dislocate."

"They both needed smaller work done also, with Martyn having his a/c joint cleared out, while Gethin also had treatment on his rotator cuff muscle, with the operations carried out at Spire Cardiff Hospital." "Both the players were able to have their surgery preformed via an arthroscopic technique which allows the surgeon to undertake more than one procedure through the same portal" .The key benefit of this technique is that it allows accelerated rehabilitation which potentially enables patients to return to their lifestyle quicker, obviously in this instance it will be their training and competitive Rugby

"I operated on Gethin's other shoulder four years ago after the last Lions tour when he had an operation for a minor a/c joint problem but the severity of this injury was a lot worse with his shoulder suffering instability."

"They are both professional rugby players and the physicality of the game has changed so much over the recent seasons we are seeing an increase of shoulder problems."

"This summer I have looked after Gethin and Martyn's shoulders as well as Jamie Roberts who was having a problem with his. Tom James also suffered a shoulder injury in Chicago and Tom Shanklin dislocated his at the end of last season."

"I've no doubt that the increase in shoulder injuries is multi faceted. You've got big players, who are the same size as weight lifters, hitting rucks harder and faster due to the speed work they have done."

"They also have more padding which makes them subconsciously feel a lot safer and protected."

"Both Gethin and Martyn are recovering well and are undergoing a new type of low frequency treatment."

"The Tecar system was imported from Barcelona by Hospital Innovations in St Mellons and they have been having rehabilitation work with Cardiff Blues physiotherapist Andy Shea."

"Hopefully if all the treatment goes well we will see them return within three to four months."

Nicola Amery, Hospital Director at Spire Cardiff Hospital said: "It is the expertise of surgeons like Mr Richard Evans, who are able to perform complex reconstructive l arthroscopic procedures, which differentiates the Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence at Spire Cardiff Hospital."

"Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a technically demanding operation which is not offered by all surgeons. However, the skills of our specialists enable us to offer patients some of most up to date surgical techniques and expertise," added Mrs Amery.