Liu camp refusing to accept surgery verdict

Members Area Intl. Track & Field
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Houston doctors have confirmed the opinion that Liu Xiang requires surgery on a calcified tendon but China’s world champion hurdler is seeking further advice and a less dramatic treatment for the foot injury that saw him withdraw from the Beijing Olympics in August.

Liu and his coach Sun Haiping flew to the United States last week for a second opinion but doctors there have drawn the same conclusions as their Chinese counterparts that surgery is his best option.

“The doctors suggested surgery, but we will see more doctors in the US and collect more opinions,” Sun said in an interview during a Houston Rockets NBA game on Sunday.

“If it is possible to treat the injury without surgery, we will choose (that option).”

Liu was a strong favorite to defend his Olympic gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the Beijing Games, but he pulled out after limping through the start of his first heat and left the Bird’s Nest clearly frustrated.

Although disappointed home fans voiced their support, Liu has since shunned the limelight and has only opened two of his training sessions to the public.

Hoping for a speedy recovery, he then elected to fly overseas to visit three leading US doctors.

Liu arrived in Houston last Thursday and was examined by Memorial Hermann Medical, which also offers medical treatment to Houston Rockets players like Yao Ming. Liu left Houston for Charlotte yesterday.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90779/90869/6527084.html

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Liu Xiang may need psychological help

World 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang may need psychological help to deal with the memory of his dramatic exit from the Beijing Olympics, according to China’s head athletics coach.

The former world record holder was scheduled to depart for the United States on Wednesday to consult with doctors over the injury that robbed him of the chance to defend his Olympic title on home soil.

Liu, China’s best hope of a gold in athletics at the Beijing Games, hobbled out of the Bird’s Nest stadium after an Achilles problem left him incapable of getting into the starting blocks for his opening heat on Aug. 18.

“Liu Xiang’s problem is not only the Achilles heel but also the shadow over his mind,” Feng told the China Youth Daily.

"It’s been around 70 days since his Olympic exit. Liu appears to be relaxed and doing fine but in fact, the Olympics had a huge psychological impact on him.

“His coach, the family and his friends have been giving him guidance and that helps. However, we have been dealing with athletes for many years and we know how they think and we will get him a psychologist if necessary.”

Liu told Titan Sports that he would be taking two “transformer” toys with him as a gift for Chinese NBA All-Star Yao Ming, who had arranged a doctor to look at the injury in Houston.

<i>Source: China Daily/Agencies</i>

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90779/90869/6524135.html

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No result on Liu’s leg but surgery looks likely

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-06 09:33
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Question marks still hang over Liu Xiang’s future after he wrapped up his trip to the United States Wednesday without a firm decision on the foot injury that saw him hobble out of the Beijing Olympics without even attempting to defend his gold medal in August.

Liu was scheduled to fly home today after spending seven days in the US gathering second opinions from doctors there after Chinese experts recommended he undergo surgery, a drastic measure that China’s 110m world champion hurdler and his coach Sun Haiping are praying can be avoided.

Liu posted a note of optimism on his official website ahead of his return to quell the fears of legions of Chinese fans.

“They (US doctors) were all optimistic,” he said, without elaborating on whether he would proceed with surgery. “So I think (the injury) is not that serious.”"

“First of all, I hope I can recover soon and get back onto the track. As I still dream of a brilliant future, I will try and heal as fast as I can.”

Liu withdrew from his early heats at the Beijing Olympics due to a severe tendon injury and was seen hitting out in frustration as he left the Bird’s Nest stadium then hobbling around the Athlete’s Village in obvious discomfort.

Visits to doctors in Houston, Charlotte and Duke University confirmed the opinion that surgery would likely be Liu’s best option and the athlete is expected to mull their advice in the coming days before arriving at a final decision.

“According to experts in the US, the inflammation was caused by calcification in his tendon and most of this can be eliminated by surgery,” said Feng Shuyong, deputy director of China’s Athletics Administrative Center, who accompanied Liu overseas.

“He should need about six months to recover,” Feng was quoted as saying by Titan Sports.

“The final treatment plan will be decided when we come back to China and discuss the matter with more Chinese doctors,” he added.

“We will proceed very cautiously to reduce any risk of things going wrong. The decision may take some time.”

China Daily

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2008-11/06/content_7179692.htm

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Hmm. If he looks long enough, he’ll find a doctor who will tell him what he wants to hear.

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I’d advise Acupuncture, tea, and turtle blood. Oh and don’t forget to harness the power of the Earth.

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Liu Xiang likely to undergo tendon surgery in US
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-07 20:56

SHANGHAI – Chinese hurdles star Liu Xiang will probably have surgery in the United States on an Achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from this summer’s Beijing Olympics, his coach said.

Sun Haiping, who previously said surgery would be a last resort, and Liu spent the past week in the United States seeking advice on treatment.

“We were less worried about the operation after hearing the US medical experts’ advice. They all said it is necessary and safe,” Sun told reporters Friday after returning from the United States.

“What’s more, the three calcifications between his bone and tendon could not be removed in any other way but through surgery.”

Sun added that they would soon consult with domestic doctors to produce the final treatment plan.

Liu became China’s first male Olympic gold medalist in track and field when he won the 110m hurdles at the Athens Games in 2004 by equaling then-world record of 12.91 seconds. He was widely expected to defend his Olympic title on home soil in August, but pulled out at the start of his first heat due to the Achilles tendon injury.

The 25-year-old Shanghai native has since been treated with traditional Chinese medicine and massage therapy. (EDIT: not far away, mortac8! :stuck_out_tongue: )

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2008-11/07/content_7186034.htm