Darcy Graham: Liberation from Pain and the Blessing in Disguise

Edinburgh and Scotland winger Darcy Graham has unveiled his relief at being liberated from the enduring “constant pain” that plagued him for the past year since sustaining knee ligament damage in December 2022. The 26-year-old had a one-inch screw inserted into his knee as part of a unique operation to create a “fake MCL” following a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a URC match against Munster.

Graham, who was in stellar form at the time with 13 tries in 10 games, underwent a transformative journey, sidelined for over three months and missing the entire Six Nations. His return at the end of Edinburgh’s 2022-23 campaign saw three more tries in four games. However, a hip injury during the Rugby World Cup truncated his participation, leading to a silver lining.

While recovering from the hip issue, Graham seized the opportunity to have the screw removed from his knee. The procedure has proven instrumental in relieving the persistent knee pain, allowing him to move freely without constant discomfort. Graham highlighted the dual benefits of addressing both the hip and knee issues simultaneously.

Reflecting on the impact of his knee pain, Graham revealed, “I was killing two birds with one stone. I knew my hip would be a while, so I got my knee sorted out at the same time. I got the screw taken out, and that allows me to run more freely now. I am not in constant pain anymore. I can walk upstairs now and not be in pain. I don’t wake up in the middle of the night feeling sore anymore. My overall life is a lot better.”

Despite his commendable try-scoring record post-injury, Graham disclosed the behind-the-scenes struggles of nursing himself through training weeks leading up to matches. The knee pain, though manageable with medication, posed challenges during training sessions, impacting his performance.

With the knee fully operational and the screw removed, Graham made his comeback against Castres in a Champions Cup pool match. His initial plan was to get 20 to 30 minutes on the field, but circumstances led to an early and extended appearance.

“Minutes are key for me just now. I need to get them in with the Six Nations just round the corner and the two big Glasgow games coming up, so I am glad I got that run out,” stated Graham.

While expressing gratitude for being back on the pitch, Graham acknowledged the competition within the team, emphasizing the need to prove himself and regain full match fitness. With an eye on the festive double-header against Glasgow, Graham is ready to face the Scottish rivals and contribute to Edinburgh’s success.

The journey from injury to recovery has not only freed Graham from physical pain but has also presented him with the opportunity to showcase his resilience and determination on the rugby field once again.