Tadej Pogacar, the shocking diagnosis: “He could remain paralyzed” | Libero Quotidiano.it

He even risks paralysis.” This is the most serious consequence that Tadej Pogacar must avoid after the fall at the Vuelta. The warning comes from world champion doctor Paolo Baudi, a specialist in shoulder surgery and head of the Shoulder Clinic in Modena, in his article for La Repubblica. The problem, he explains, is not only the fractured clavicle: the main concern is the injury to the seventh cervical vertebra, which connects the cervical part of the spine to the dorsal part. Pogacar is hospitalized at the Dexeus university hospital in Barcelona, where he will undergo clavicle surgery by Dr. Xavier Mir, a leading name in sports traumatology and for years also a specialist in the MotoGP world.

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The surgery should be performed between today and tomorrow. But there will be no race against time for his return to cycling. The moment that changed his Vuelta came 32 kilometers from the finish, when Pogacar was traveling at about 58 kilometers per hour. The rider had one hand on the handlebar and was drinking with the other when he encountered an object on the road. The teammates ahead of him managed to avoid it, while the Slovenian crashed violently to the ground.

He was also protected by his helmet. The fall caused him a concussion and a displaced clavicle fracture, in addition to the cervical vertebra problem. “It is not so much the clavicle fracture — explains Baudi — but the injury to the seventh cervical vertebra, the last one, the transition between the cervical and dorsal spine.” For about ten days Pogacar will have to wear a rigid collar. Then further checks will be needed. The main point, however, is one: returning too soon would be dangerous: “Until full recovery it would be very risky for him to get back on the bike — warns the doctor — in case of a new fall he could have very serious consequences, even paralysis.” In other words, a new fall could turn an already serious injury into something much worse.

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For now, no definitive indications on recovery times have come from Pogacar’s entourage. The World Championship on September 27, the European Championships on October 2 in Slovenia, and the Giro di Lombardia on October 10 remain in the sights, at least as possibilities. But thinking of such a quick return seems complicated precisely in light of the vertebra’s condition. Pogacar’s absence would be a problem also for cycling, not just for his team. The Slovenian is now one of the main drivers of interest around the races. This was also demonstrated by the last Tour de France, followed in France with growing numbers compared to the previous year. His presence brings audience, attention, and spectacle. Without him, the end of the season risks losing its main protagonist. For Pogacar, however, the result now matters less. The priority is to fully recover. The helmet did its job in the fall. Now caution will have to prevent the desire to return to racing from doing the rest.

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