Beltrametti undergoes successful operation
Paralysed Swiss skier Silvano Beltrametti has undergone surgery on his spine and is reported to be in a stable condition at the Nottwil Paraplegic Centre, Switzerland.
Beltrametti, who was permanently paralysed from the chest down following a high-speed accident during the men’s world cup downhill race in France 11 days ago, spent five hours on the operating table on Wednesday to have sections of his broken spine replaced.
Centre spokesman Roland Spengler said that the operation had been a success, but added that the skier remained in intensive care.
Spengler said that surgeons had corrected the dislocated vertebrae, stabilising them with chrome rods and screws to prevent further displacement of the spine. Doctors at the centre had already warned before the accident that the young skier’s injuries were too severe for his paralysis to be cured.
Spengler added that the 22 year-old Beltrametti should be able to begin rehabilitation in a few days time and is expected to remain at the Nottwil Centre for four to six months.
Beltrametti’s accident has triggered an enormous wave of sympathy across Switzerland. The skier has already received over 4000 e-mails from well-wishers.
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