Report of More Brady Surgeries
There is a report this morning that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has undergone two additional procedures to address an infection in his injured left knee.
The Boston Herald reports that those procedures have been performed since an initial surgery eight days ago, acknowledged by Brady, to address an infection that arose after he underwent reconstructive surgery for the knee injury that ended his season.
The concern, the Herald reports, is that the infection could compromise the patellar tendon graft used to replace Brady's damaged anterior cruciate ligament. If that happens, the reconstructive surgery would have to be redone and Brady's rehabilitation and return to the field potentially would be pushed back, the Herald reports.
Brady was hurt in the Patriots' opening game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs and placed on the injured reserve list. He reportedly suffered a torn ACL and a torn medial collateral ligament. The ligament damage was repaired in a surgery performed Oct. 6, reportedly by orthopedist Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles.
In an entry on his website dated Oct. 18, Brady acknowledged the initial surgery and a first procedure to address the infection.
"On Oct. 6, I had surgery to repair my knee from the injury that took place four weeks earlier in our season opener," the entry said.
"The surgery went well and my doctor described my knee as 'rock solid.' Unfortunately, in the week following the surgery, I developed an infection. The infection is very treatable and, through a course of antibiotics, it will be knocked out of my system. We were proactive with the infection and the doctors went in for a second procedure this past Wednesday [Oct. 15] to clean and to test the wound. The results of the tests have all been positive and we are very thankful. I am excited to begin rehabbing my knee and will continue preparing for 2009."
The Herald reports that Brady will continue a course of intravenous antibiotics for six weeks.
By
Mark Maske
|
October 23, 2008; 9:57 AM ET
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Patriots
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Posted by: Nick from Philly | October 24, 2008 3:24 AM
Hospital Acquired Infections are the 4th leading cause of death in this country. More than AIDS, Breast Cancer and homicides combined. It is the dirty little secret of a well bankrolled medical industry.
Even a great football player at a great hospital, with a great surgeon is not immune...because germs are no respecter of person. It is a well documented fact that even at the best facilities hand-hygiene rates are only about 40%. That means doctors and staff are running around spreading germs from patient to patient.
I hope that Mr. Brady will be okay. I had to have 6 additional surgeries due to my infection and nearly died. I hope that he will also consider being a voice and advocate for Patient safety when this is over. He is very blessed to not become one of the 100,000 people a year who die from Hospital Acquired Infections. www.PatientSafetyASAP.org
Posted by: Infection Survivor | October 24, 2008 2:26 AM
If they have to amputate Brady's leg... how much would you pay for it on Ebay?
Okay, that was a little macabre, but it is almost Halloween... come to think of it... the Leg would be perfect for my Tom Brady costume.
Posted by: Eli Manning | October 23, 2008 4:37 PM
There is so much speculation out there about this. Please stick to what is known. Fact-The surgeon that did Tom's surgery is well known as an expert and is respected in his field. His patient outcomes for procedures are at a high level of success, so the team docs probably wouldn’t have better outcomes. FACT- If it was a staph infection, depending on severity he would have a lot longer IV therapy regime than 6 weeks, so I suspect it is only to combat and prevent further infections. FACT--Infection happens even to those that are most healthy, BUT does not mean debilitation to the point of no return. He is rehab after and DURING IV therapy- rehab begins day one after surgery. So lay off, until more is known. He will be back.
Posted by: PatsfanRN | October 23, 2008 2:15 PM
Brady should have had Giant's team doctor Russ Warren fix his knee.
Posted by: Mark | October 23, 2008 1:56 PM
"Joe the Troll" obviously lives under a rock, and has his head up his a** in regards to football. Firstly, Brady has already eclipsed any marks made by Blesoe and is a first round hall of famer even if he never steps on the field again. Secondly, trading him immediatly is rediculous since he stands an excellent chance of recovery. I would be more concerned if it were his right knee (that he plants on to throw the ball) or if he were a running style QB...but he is not...he plants and throws-very accurately I might add. So troll boy, go back home to your Jets and watch Farve play if you're so down on Brady.
Posted by: ben chapman | October 23, 2008 12:53 PM
If it's a staph infection he's definitely done! That stuff eats your cartilidge.
Posted by: SacKing | October 23, 2008 12:44 PM
He's done. Whatever mark Brady left on the league has been made. His career arc will now follow that of his predecessor. Like Bledsoe he'll hang around for a few more years in a mist of mediocrity.
Posted by: JethroBodine | October 23, 2008 12:40 PM
Trade Brady immediately!!
Posted by: JoeTheTroll | October 23, 2008 11:57 AM
its likely a staph infection.
Posted by: bog1 | October 23, 2008 11:43 AM
Patients recovering from MLC/ACL surgeries are prone to infection, just like any other surgery. As Pats fan, I am not worried. He'll be back next year... Also, Matt raised his trade value by showing that he can at least play and manage games, hopefully we get good corner back for him...
Posted by: Alen Abdula | October 23, 2008 11:40 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
PatsFanRN above said "FACT- If it was a staph infection, depending on severity he would have a lot longer IV therapy regime than 6 weeks, so I suspect it is only to combat and prevent further infections."
I say it could be staph. I had a staph infection this year. Acquired from Rothman Institute in Philly - the prestigious ortho surgeons who treat the Phillies and Eagles. I had a "hip resufacing" procedure on May 7, and about two weeks later they saw it was infected. Did the testing and it was staph - mild cluster - not MRSA, but still staph. Went back in for 2nd surgery to clean out on May 21st (it's called "Irrigation and Debridement or I&D". Went on Nafcillin IV using portable IV unit (CADD Prizm VIP pump) attached to a PICC line inserted in my upper left arm and running up around my clavicle and into top of superior vena cava (into top of heart). Six weeks of changing med bag every day at noon with sterile procedure. Not fun. But it was six weeks exactly. I'm OK now three months later and resurfaced hip is great. Hopefully Brady will have similar luck. So I personally suspect he has staph given the six week regimen and the fact it so rampant, but who knows, other than it's luck of the draw and unfortunate.