Former Springbok captain, Joost van der Westhuizen, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Van Der Westhuizen was left stunned when his doctors told him that he has a motor neural muscle disease. He was told by his personal physician that there are few options left to him.

Initial speculation had been that the disease is similar to the one that left ex Springbok flanker, André Venter, in a wheelchair. But, in fact, the disease is considerably more threatening.

Joost’s doctor, Dr Henry Kelbrick, says that he came to him due to “loss of power” in his arms.

He said:

He was complaining that he had no power, a weakening of the muscles in his arm.

We we ran a number of tests, including scans on the brain, neck and other areas, as there was a chance it could have been from an old rugby injury. We immediately found the cause and I referred Joost to a top neurologist, Dr Pieter Kritzinger, where the diagnosis was confirmed.

Kelbrick said that Joost’s family has asked him not to release further information on the exact disease, but could say that it was a lot more serious than the one Venter has.

It is nowhere near the same as Andre’s, as that affected him from the waist down. This disease affects the entire body.

This disease slowly degenerates the muscles in the body to the point where the patient can develop respiratory problems, and this can be life-threatening.

According to Kelbrick, Joost has started treatment, although he pointed out that:

There are very little options available for treatment of this type of diagnosis.

He also said that the disease is not genetic nor is the cause due to lifestyle.

He said:

It can happen to anybody.

For him and his family this must be truly heartbreaking.

[Source : News24]