"blacktruck18" (blacktruck14)
09/06/2018 at 16:39 • Filed to: None
2
9|
"blacktruck18" (blacktruck14)
09/06/2018 at 16:39 • Filed to: None | 2
| 9 |
Just released by Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:
http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/06/medical-updates-on-robert-wickens/
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens underwent surgeries this week at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to repair fractures to both of his legs and hands from injuries sustained in a crash during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Aug. 19. The surgeries were completed without complication.
Wickens is expected to be transferred to a rehabilitation center in the coming days to begin the recovery process. The severity of the spinal cord injury he sustained in the incident remains indeterminate and under evaluation. Physicians stress it could take weeks or months for the full effects of the injury to be known.
“We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and positive energy that has been sent our way since Robert’s accident,” the Wickens family said in a statement. “We are blown away by the strength of this INDYCAR community and the support within it. While Robert’s recovery and rehabilitation continue over the coming weeks and months, your loving messages will certainly be a source of encouragement for him.
“As unverified sources immediately following Robert’s accident inaccurately and without permission portrayed his condition as less than severe, in an effort to remain transparent and open, we are providing a list of Robert’s injuries to truly showcase the severity of what our son / brother / fiancé / friend / teammate has gone through and will be recovering from in the months to come.”
Among the injuries Wickens sustained were:
Thoracic spinal fracture
Spinal cord injury
Neck fracture
Tibia and fibula fractures to both legs
Fractures in both hands
Fractured right forearm
Fractured elbow
Four fractured ribs
Pulmonary contusion
“The INDYCAR community has been nothing but supportive the last few weeks,” Ric Peterson and Sam Schmidt, co-owners of SPM, noted in a statement. “We are grateful for their support as well as the exceptional care given to Robert by the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team, the INDYCAR Medical Staff, the surgeons and nursing staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest and everyone at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
“While Robert continues his recovery, we want to make it clear that the No. 6 entry is for Robert Wickens and him only. No matter the amount of time it takes for his full recovery, we will hold that seat for him. Carlos Muñoz, the named driver for the last two events on the 2018 calendar is doing a great job for us to keep the No. 6 owner championship points alive, and we very much appreciate all the hard work he’s putting into helping us finish the season.
“The road to Robert’s recovery will be a long and tough one, but we hope you’ll be alongside us cheering him on. BETTER. STRONGER. FASTER.”
An update will be provided when Wickens has been transferred to his rehabilitation facility. Further updates will come from Wickens. Alongside the team, he will document his recovery process and share updates at appropriate times. SPM, the Wickens family and Robert ask everyone to respect their request for privacy at this time.
Hopefully, the spinal cord injury isn’t as scary as it sounds.
In better news, Wickens was announced as the Indycar rookie of the year yesterday.
http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/05/2898/
|
blacktruck18
> blacktruck18
09/06/2018 at 16:42 |
|
Links, cause Kinja only wants the best for us.
http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/06/medical-updates-on-robert-wickens/
http://spmindycar.com/2018/09/05/2898/
ttyymmnn
> blacktruck18
09/06/2018 at 16:51 |
|
Not all bad news, but not all good. He may well suffer some paralysis. As safe as these cars are, it’s still a dangerous business.
smobgirl
> blacktruck18
09/06/2018 at 17:04 |
|
The neck fracture is the news I hadn’t previously seen. Since we haven’t heard anything about surgery there, I hope the spinal cord injury is thoracic. I really hope he recovers fully.
|
blacktruck18
> smobgirl
09/06/2018 at 17:36 |
|
I don’t know much about spinal cord injuries, if it’s thoracic that means it’s basically below the shoulders right?
Is there a higher chance of recovery in that case?
Also, here’s a little video of Alonso from the test at Barber if you haven’t seen it.
valis86
> ttyymmnn
09/06/2018 at 17:49 |
|
agreeance. Due to the lack of news and listing of the injuries, I am guessing some level of paralysis but really REALLY hoping not. Kid has talent and is just starting out.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> valis86
09/06/2018 at 18:05 |
|
With how badly he broke his legs I would imagine they are in full casts right now. We likely wont know for sure if he is paralyzed or not until his legs heal enough for him to try and move them.
|
smobgirl
> blacktruck18
09/06/2018 at 19:08 |
|
Thanks for Alonso, I had not!
Yes, thoracic (depending on where) would usually affect just lower half. Higher might have worse effects on the core and stability while seated, I think.
Edited to add, chance of recovery is likely down to how much damage there was, regardless of where it happened, but the lower the fracture the more likely he could race again (if he wanted) even if some paralysis remains.
shop-teacher
> blacktruck18
09/06/2018 at 20:41 |
|
Man, that's some scary stuff. Hopefully it won't be career ending, but at least it wasn't life ending.
BJ
> blacktruck18
09/07/2018 at 07:16 |
|
I don’t know why, but this shook me a bit. I guess it’s because the first news after the crash was “it’s not so bad”. Wickens also drives in DTM, which is a lot of fun to watch, so I guess I was disappointed to hear about him crashing out in another series .
I hope his recovery goes really well.