Hannes Reichelt recovering after back surgery
Super-G world champion Hannes Reichelt went under the knife on Saturday to have a piece of spinal disc removed. According to the attending physician, Dr. Michael Gabl, the one-hour procedure went smoothly, and there were no complications.
Reichelt complained about back pain after returning from the Austrian team’s camp in Chile. An MRI scan in Innsbruck revealed the extent of the injury.
“The pain that I had before the surgery is fortunately gone,” Reichelt said in a statement from the Austrian federation. “I hope for a speedy healing process, and that I can ski again soon.”
The Austrian has a history of back injuries. He underwent surgery on a herniated disk in January 2014, just days after winning the downhill in Kitzbuehel. The injury prevented him from competing in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
There is no word on when Reichelt will be ready to return to snow. The upside for Reichelt could be some additional time to spend with his wife, who he married in early September.
Photo from the Austrian Ski Federation