25/02/08 18.20
The Club can confirm that following the incident during Saturday’s match at Birmingham City, Eduardo has fractured his left fibula and sustained an open dislocation of his ankle joint in the same leg.
He was immediately taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. The operation was successful and Eduardo was transferred to a London-based hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier today (Monday 25th February), the Orthopaedic surgeon and Arsenal medical staff assessed the extent of the damage and possible time scale for a full recovery.
All being well, Eduardo will have his leg in plaster and using crutches for the next six to eight weeks. After that time, partial weight-bearing exercises will be scheduled into a slow rehabilitation process.
It is hoped that Eduardo will be running again in six months time and making a full recovery after nine months.
Eduardo will be released from hospital in a few days.
The Arsenal medical team would like to take this opportunity to thank Birmingham City FC for their assistance on the day as well as the surgical and ward staff on S2 at Selly Oak Hospital for their expert medical care.
In addition, and on behalf of Eduardo, the Club would like to thank everyone for their many touching messages of support.
24/02/08 14.45
Croatian National Team’s Docotor
It’s an open sprained ankle injury, with the fibula being broken and the tibia intact. The greatest injuries were to the ligaments in Eduardo’s ankle. The doctor that performed the surgery was very pleased. A full reconstruction had been done and he’s optimistic about Eduardo’s return. Eduardo says he’s not in pain and will continue rehabilitation in London. He’ll start physical therapy in a month.”
Doctor Bahtijarević is still cautious and says the recovery time could be up to a year.
23/02/08 22:34
Summary –
Arsenal’s spokesperson Amanda Doherty confirmed the surgery was successful. Official information about the severity of the injury as well as prognostics about recovery time will be officially disclosed by the club tomorrow. Journalists will not have a chance to talk to Eduardo until the club allows it, and that won’t be tomorrow, nor while he’s in the hospital.
23/02/08 8.45
Summary –
“Looks like the injury isn’t as horrid as it looks. Apparently the first info Primorac got from Arsenal’s doctors is that Edu is rather looking at a 6 months break, not a year-long one. He was promptly operated in Birmingham where it was established that he’d only broken his outer bone (fibula) in his left foot, whereas the inner bone was left intact. This was confirmed by both Gary Lewin and Edu’s wife. Further exams will be taken in London, where Edu will be transported tomorrow. “
Hope to hear more better news on the injury…All the best Edu and God bless you!
Hope he will have a FULL and SPEEDY recovery. We will support us forever.
get well soon eduardo god bless
From: Arsenal.com
Eduardo – I am determined to overcome this injury
By Richard Clarke
Eduardo has given his account of the terrible events at Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Croatian, 25 on Monday, broke his leg following a challenge from Blues defender Martin Taylor in the third minute of the game at St Andrews. He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery that night. The striker has since returned to a London-based hospital for further treatment.
Speaking for the first time after the incident, the summer signing from Dinamo Zagreb ruled himself out of the rest of the season and Euro 2008 in the summer however he added that he is ‘determined to overcome this injury’.
“I don’t remember the incident very well and it is not something that I want to see again on television or in the newspapers,” said Eduardo.
“All I remember is that when I fell, I looked down at my foot and it had turned the other way. The rest is just a blank. It was an unfortunate situation but these things can happen in football.
“I am unsure at the moment of the extent of the injury and how long I will be out of action for but I know that I won’t be able to play for Arsenal for the rest of the season or be ready in time for the Euros this summer.
“But I’m not worried about that. My concentration and determination is on making as quick a recovery as possible. I am determined to overcome this injury.
“I would like to thank the medical team here at Arsenal for their efforts as well as the staff at Selly Oak Hospital who carried out the operation on Saturday night. Everyone there made me feel as comfortable as possible.
“I would also like to say how touched I am by the many messages of support I have received and to be surrounded by my loved ones at this time.”
Its good to hear that the sweet one is not in pain. God help him stay out of pain. God help the doctors treating him. May he get well soon. No need to rush him. Let his handlers take their time. He will be alright according to these reports.
Dudu !
Ti si jedan i neponovljiv
SVE NAJBOLJE TI ŽELIM…
It’ll be a tough recovering, but I ensure you that a player of the quality of Eduardo will play again at the Grove. Best wishes to him, to his family and get well soon.
Eduardo should be back in August 😀 great news cant wait to see him play again. LEGEND!