Humphrey Elbow Surgery a Success
11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? University of Alabama junior gymnast Terin Humphrey, an NCAA Champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist, underwent successful surgery Tuesday to remove bone chips from both elbows.
For Humphrey, a nine-time All-American through her first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, the surgery corrected a long standing ailment that had grown more painful as her career progressed.
“Terin has had difficulty with both elbows from many years of competitive gymnastics at the elite level,” Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. “It was time for us to take care of the problem and give her some relief. She came through the surgery like the true champion she is, and will begin rehabilitation immediately.”
Alabama team physicians Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Lyle Cain performed the surgeries at St. Vincents in Birmingham. The outcome was very good, with doctors saying that it had gone even better than expected. Humphrey has already been released from the hospital and gone through her first physical therapy session, working on range of motion.
The surgery typically has a four to six week recovery period, but Patterson isn’t concerned about rushing the Missouri native back into the lineup.
“We are looking to a complete recovery and will just take it one day at a time,” Patterson said. “Terin has all the competitive experience she needs. At this point we are working hard to help her physically feel better and be pain free.”
Alabama gymnastics is in the midst of preseason training and begins its season Friday, January 12 against Oklahoma in Coleman Coliseum.
