Preston North End striker Chad Evans has opened up about the serious medical condition he revealed came “so close” to leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.
In April, PNE confirmed that Evans would be unavailable for a long time after developing the condition.
The club said the 34-year-old was facing “potential life-changing consequences as a result of repeated high-force contact”, with the condition said to be more common in NFL and rugby players.
Evans subsequently underwent successful surgery for the condition.
PNE Director Ryan Lowe revealed earlier this month that the striker faced a possible setback in his recovery due to a bone that did not fully grow after the operation.
However, Evans was given the all-clear to return to action and came off the bench during his side’s 1-1 draw against Millwall on Saturday.
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Evans, who signed for PNE in 2021, revealed he had been experiencing symptoms for two years after picking up an elbow during an FA Cup match.
He then described the feeling of “electric shock” – explained as pressure on his spinal cord from a bone and two plates – from future contacts, which would cause temporary paralysis. A few headers also caused him to black out for a while.
But the turning point for the striker came in an away game against Rotherham in March last season. Evans scored in a 2-1 win, but it would be his last game for seven months.
The Welshman was hit in the back of the neck – and reveals he lost feeling in both hands as a result. He added that the next day, he could not remember the names of his children.
Evans was then called by PNE chief medical officer Matt Jackson, who was concerned about the striker, after training.
He explained: “He suggested we go and see a specialist. In the back of my mind, I knew what the surgeon would say because of the symptoms I had been experiencing for two years.
“We went to London and he asked me when I thought about retiring. I told him “When my body gives up.”
“He simply replied, “I think this is it now, you’re so close to being paralyzed from the neck down. A push or a hit in the car or a slip down the stairs, it could be you.”
Evans underwent successful surgery but was told his bone graft still hadn’t grown after eight to 12 weeks.
He added: “We went to see him last Monday and he said: ‘Your neck is stable, there is no danger.’
Evans was then told he could return to professional football – and he played 17 minutes against Millwall in his first appearance since March.