There is still a suspicion that Düsseldorf’s Andre Hoffmann has suffered a fractured jaw and cervical vertebrae. Fortuna’s team doctor Ulf Blecker has not yet been able to give the all-clear.
The CT examinations after the end of the match in Düsseldorf have not yet brought any final clarity. It is known that the Fortuna professional can move his legs and arms after his serious collision.
In the eleventh minute of the second league match against Hannover 96 (1:1) Hoffmann and visiting player Sebastian Ernst clashed. It looked as if the Fortune tried to get to the ball with his head and was then hit violently by the opponent at neck and shoulder level. It was obviously not a foul. In any case, the referee did not punish the Hanoverian.
From then on, Hoffmann could no longer move his head and neck. The 28-year-old was also unable to open his mouth and could obviously only make individual sounds with great difficulty and pain. “He could only swallow a little and was also gone for a short time. He could not remember anything that had happened,” Blecker said. “He was in a lot of pain, but he could move everything below his head. “ The jaw fracture was uncomfortable, but not dangerous, he said. However, a spinal injury could “never be determined” just by looking and feeling.
Transport on vacuum mattress – Further MRI scan to follow
Blecker was very satisfied with the way the rescue services had acted, saying they had reacted in exactly the right way. “Immediately Hoffmann was immobilised and taken away on a vacuum mattress, as is prescribed in such a case,” Blecker said. At the university hospital, he was taken to the shock room where diagnoses were made.
“He has been responsive and had no signs of paralysis, only in the cervical area. And he was in a lot of pain,” said Fortuna’s club doctor. At the atlas, the uppermost and very sensitive vertebra of the cervical spine, apparently nothing had happened according to the first images. However, another MRI scan is to follow. “Emergency-wise, nothing needs to be done immediately,” Blecker said. “Dizziness, not being able to see properly and concussion are normal consequences. He also fell down like a tree.” Blecker knows this from ice hockey. The doctor hopes that Hoffmann’s collision will not have quite as serious consequences as originally feared.
Hoffmann has played in six games so far this season, scoring one goal. The 28-year-old from Essen and former national U-team player had moved to Fortuna from Hannover 96 in 2017.
