David Beckham is recovering well from surgery on his left Achilles’ tendon and was to start to walk on crutches in his first rehabilitation exercises yesterday, the doctor who performed the operation said.
The tendon was totally torn, and orthopedic surgeon Sakari Orava said the 34-year-old Beckham is expected to be out of action for about six months.
Orava said that Beckham was in “some pain” after Monday’s surgery but was doing well.
“These walking exercises are the first day’s program after surgery,” Orava said. “After that he will get a detailed program for further rehabilitation, and then, [today] probably, he flies to London, and then to the US.”
Beckham, who was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday, is expected to miss the World Cup in South Africa in June. He was on loan to the Italian club from Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles Galaxy.
Orava said on Monday that he Beckham would have to take it “very easy” for up to a month. Orava also said it would be “four months to running” and another two months before the former England captain was likely to be back playing.
Beckham’s spokesman, Simon Oliveira, said the tendon was completely repaired, and he expected the midfielder to play again.
“David is expected to make a full recovery,” Oliveira said.
He said that Beckham’s wife, Victoria, was expected later yesterday in Turku.
“Of course she is coming,” Oliveira said. “She is his wife and wants to be there.”
A statement from AC Milan said Beckham will remain under observation for a few days.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent a get-well message to Beckham and praised his role as an ambassador for his sport, Brown’s spokesman, Simon Lewis said.
“He emphasized what a tremendous ambassador Mr Beckham is for English soccer and wishes him well in his recovery, as I think the whole nation does,” Lewis said.
The injury shattered Beckham’s hopes of becoming the first English player to appear in four World Cups and put his future on the national team in doubt. He will miss most of the MLS season.
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