What happened to Alex Smith and what was his injury?
Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture - meaning the bone broke through his skin, per source. Trauma surgeons discovered Smith suffered a spiral fracture in his leg - defined as a long bone broken by a rotational force. Smith, 34, faces a lengthy rehab process to try to return.
What happened to Will Smith's leg?
His right leg was caught at an awkward angle, and Smith suffered a compound fracture that broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Things were complicated for Smith as he worked on recovering from the injury due to an infection of flesh-eating bacteria after Smith's initial surgery.
Is Alex Smith's return a'miracle'?
Alex Smith's return to an NFL field could be considered a "miracle." That's what Washington Football Team physician Dr. Robin West told ESPN earlier this year. When Smith suffered a compound fracture with further complications in 2018, it looked like the former No. 1 pick's NFL career might be done.
How many surgeries has Alex Smith had?
Instead, he rehabbed for nearly two years and dealt with 17 surgeries in order to play in the NFL once more. In 2020, Smith has started two games so far for the Washington Football Team, winning his first game since 2018 in Week 11. Here's a look back at Smith's comeback trail. What was Alex Smith's injury?
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What injury prevented Alex Smith from playing?
A calf injury, though, prevented him from playing in the team’s wild-card loss to the Buccaneers. Washington released Smith earlier this offseason and there seemed to be some interest in free agency for potential backup roles. Alex Smith after suffering leg injury on Nov. 18, 2018. The Washington Post via Getty Im.
What team did Alex Smith play for?
1 pick of the 49ers in the 2005 draft. He started 174 games in his 16-year career for the 49ers, Chiefs and Washington. Filed under alex smith , nfl , washington football team , 4/19/21.
How many surgeries did Smith have?
The extent of the injuries to Smith, 36, led to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis that resulted in sepsis. The Washington quarterback required 17 surgeries. Smith returned last season and played in eight games, helping to lead Washington to the NFC East title and winning the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.
What happened to Alex Smith?
Redskins quarterback Alex Smith has revealed that the compound leg fracture he suffered during a 2018 game nearly resulted in amputation or even his death. Smith broke his leg during a 2018 game , but his situation grew much more complicated after a rare bacteria infected his blood stream. At one point doctors told his wife Elizabeth ...
Why did Alex Smith die?
Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith has revealed that the compound leg fracture he suffered during a 2018 game (pictured) nearly resulted in amputation or death because of a flesh-eating bacteria that took hold following one of his 17 surgeries. +11.
How much did Alex Smith make in his career?
He's earned over $161million in his career and is signed through 2022. Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith has revealed that the compound leg fracture he suffered during a 2018 game nearly resulted in amputation or death because of a flesh-eating bacteria that took hold following one of his 17 surgeries.
Did Alex Smith get amputation?
Redskins' Alex Smith reveals arduous comeback journey from his gruesome 2018 leg fracture that got infected with a flesh-eating bacteria amid 17 surgeries, nearly resulted in amputation, and almost killed him. Smith missed the 2019 season, but told ESPN last fall that he hopes to continue his career.
Is Alex Smith still on crutches?
Copy link to paste in your message. Redskins quarterback Alex Smith, who broke his leg last season is still on crutches during day 4 of summer training camp in Richmond, Virginia on July 28, 2019. Advertisement. Read more: Alex Smith's comeback -- Inside the fight to save the QB's leg and life. - The Washington Post.
What happened to Alex Smith?
On Nov. 18, 2018, Washington quarterback Alex Smith was injured in the third quarter of a Week 11 game against the Houston Texans. The injury was severe. This is a first-person account, from Smith's wife, Elizabeth, to ESPN's Stephania Bell, of the untold story of what happened next. This piece originally published on May 1, 2020.
Who is Alex's trauma surgeon?
Dr. Steve Malekzadeh, one of Alex's trauma surgeons, comes in early the next morning. It's Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. He would tell us later he came in because he couldn't sleep. He knew something was off. He unwraps the bandages from Alex's leg, even though it had been unwrapped just a few hours before. At that time, it looked normal, at least as normal as post-surgical fracture sites look.
What is the fibula fracture?
It's a spiral fracture that starts down in the ankle joint and spirals all the way up through the tibia to the knee. And the fibula is broken. Because of the length of Alex's tibia, they are going to have to put in a few plates and quite a few screws. "It's pretty common practice," they tell us.
What is Alex missing?
He is missing everything from his knee to his ankle and from side to side. The way the doctors explain his situation is Alex no longer has a sports injury. He has what would be more comparable to a military blast injury. Alex doesn't look at his leg. He doesn't want to see it.
What does Alex say as he rides in the ambulance?
As we ride in the ambulance, Alex says, "Pull up the score. How's [Redskins backup] Colt [McCoy] doing?" He wants to know all the formations. This is typical Alex. He's worried about the team, which is still in first place at 6-3, and how they are doing. He wants to make sure everyone else is OK.
Does Alex have a leg?
Thankfully, the necrotizing fasciitis never gets above his knee. Alex still has his leg ... well, what remains of it.
Is Alex a septic?
So Alex has a flesh-eating bacteria that's eating away his at his leg. He's septic and, essentially, dying. We're being inundated with medical language.
What is the condition that Smith developed?
Smith developed sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is fighting infection. As his medical team fought to save his life, he was under heavy sedation for pain and his memories of the early stages were limited. But there was another decision that was yet to come.
Does Smith recognize there are guarantees?
Smith made it clear that while he recognizes there are no guarantees, he is prepared to challenge himself to the fullest.
How many surgeries did Alex Smith have?
After 17 surgeries, a life-threatening infection, a lost season and months of arduous rehab, Smith returned to the field in October. On Saturday, he will start Washington’s first playoff game in five years. The leg brace that allows Alex Smith to play football. Here’s a chronological look at Smith’s improbable recovery.
How old is Alex Smith?
In January 2018, with Kirk Cousins set to depart via free agency, the Washington Football Team traded for veteran quarterback Alex Smith and signed the 33-year-old to a four-year, $94 million extension.
What happened to Allen in 2020?
Nov. 8, 2020: Allen goes down. Allen suffered a season-ending ankle injuryin the first quarter of Washington’s 23-20 loss to the New York Giants at FedEx Field. After the game, Rivera announced that Smith, who threw three interceptions in relief of Allen, would start the following week at Detroit.
What happened to Smith in the first half?
Smith exited Washington’s 23-15 win over the San Francisco 49erslate in the first half with calf soreness in his surgically repaired leg and did not return. He would miss Washington’s next two games, which resulted in losses that set up a must-win scenario in the regular season finale.
What happened to Allen in the first quarter?
Allen suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first quarter of Washington’s 23-20 loss to the New York Giants at FedEx Field. After the game, Rivera announced that Smith, who threw three interceptions in relief of Allen, would start the following week at Detroit.
When Washington released its first 53-man roster at the end of training camp, was Smith on it?
When Washington released its first 53-man roster at the end of training camp, Smith was on it.
How does septic shock affect the body?
If the body enters septic shock, blood pressure drops rapidly and can result in death.
Why did Smith have sepsis?
Doctors believed sepsis set in because his broken tibia broke the skin. Although an initial operation to set the bones was successful, the infection set in soon after, triggering another series of surgeries. Smith recalled how after he woke up from one, doctors told him he had two choices: "amputation or limb salvage.".
What is the mortality rate in septic shock?
Once in septic shock, the average mortality rate is about 40 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What happened to Alex Smith?
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith told ESPN Saturday that the devastating leg injury he incurred in 2018 could have taken his life. There have been hints that Smith's injury was more severe than even the horror of a compound fracture, but Smith for the first time opened up on "Outside the Lines" — and the details are terrifying.
Who was #11 in the 2012 NFC playoff game?
5 of 6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 14: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts with Alex Smith #11 after his touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Show More Show Less
