Inside the Batista Surgery
BatistaFans around the world were rocked by the news that Dave Batista
may miss the next 6-8 months in ring due to dental and hamstring
surgery. In this article we’ll try to sort the truth from the sports
entertainment and give you the details on the surgery.
(Caution: Graphic medical images included in the article, sensitive viewers are warned.)
(updated Dec. 27, 10:00pm)
Timeline of Events
WWE.com reports that Batista initially injured his hamstring muscle at the Aug. 17 2008 SummerSlam match that sent John Cena to the injured list with a broken neck.
Other news outlets report the injury actually happened during the Nov. 2008 European tour. The belief is that WWE.com is pushing the SummerSlam injury story in order to lay the groundwork for a Batista vs. Cena match upon his return.
Dec. 22, 2008 -Washington D.C. – Batista underwent dental surgery to remove two impacted wisdom teeth. According to WWE.com the surgery was a result of a boot to the head from Randy Orton on the Dec. 15 200 Raw broadcast.
Dec. 26, 2008 -Birmingham, AL – Batista went to the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center for pre-surgery exams. Dr. Jeffrey Dugas performed reattachment surgery to Batista’s partially torn left hamstring (WWE.com)
Inside the Injuries
"The recipient of Randy Orton’s infamously wicked punt to the skull on the Dec. 15 edition of Monday Night Raw, Batista was knocked out and put out of action indefinitely due to a head injury."
(Dec. 27, WWE.com)
In a pre surgery interview Batista details the head injury. Following the punt to the head he suffered ringinging in his ears, migraines and memory loss in addition to the injury of his teeth.
Impacted Wisdom teeth and Bone Graft Surgery
Batista underwent a bone graft in his jaw this past Monday, after having two impacted widom teeth successfully removed due to the punt from Randy Orton.
(Official website/WWE.com)
Wisdom teeth are technically known as third molars. Third molars usually erupt in the late teens or early twenties. Most people will have to get their third molars removed sometime during their lives because of infection, pathology, impaction, and damage or potential damage to adjacent teeth.
An abnormally erupting wisdom tooth can cause damage to the tooth in front of it (the second molar). A mesioangular or horizontal pattern of eruption can cause structural damage to the second molar. The destruction can become so severe, that removal of the second molar may become necessary as well. Often, this will necessitate the replacement of the second molar with a dental implant. An impacted wisdom tooth can also cause severe bone loss behind the second molar. This will require a bone graft when the wisdom tooth is removed.
(http://www.oralsurgerysandiego.com/wisdom_teeth.htm)
Where are the hamstrings, and what do they do?
The hamstrings make up the bulk in back of the thigh. They are formed by three muscles and their tendons. The hamstrings connect to the ischial tuberosity, the small bony projection on the bottom of the pelvis, just below the buttocks. (There is one ischial tuberosity on the left and one on the right.) The hamstring muscles run down the back of the thigh. Their tendons cross the knee joint and connect on each side of the shinbone (tibia).
The hamstrings function by pulling the leg backward and by propelling the body forward while walking or running. This is called hip extension. The hamstrings also bend the knees, a motion called knee flexion.
Most hamstring injuries occur in the musculotendinous complex. This is the area where the muscles and tendons join. (Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones.) The hamstring has a large musculotendinous complex, which partly explains why hamstring injuries are so common.
The hamstring may be pulled, partially torn, or completely torn. When the hamstring is injured, the fibers of the muscles or tendon are actually torn. The body responds to the damage by producing enzymes and other body chemicals at the site of the injury. These chemicals produce the symptoms of swelling and pain.
How do hamstring injuries occur?
Hamstring injuries happen when the muscles are stretched too far. Sprinting and other fast or twisting motions with the legs are the major cause of hamstring injuries. Hamstring injuries most often occur in running, jumping, and kicking sports. Water skiing, dancing, weight lifting, and ice skating also cause frequent hamstring injuries. These sports are also more likely to cause avulsions.
In especially bad cases, an athlete may suddenly hear a pop and fall to the ground. The athlete may be able to walk with only mild pain even in a severe injury. But taking part in strenuous exercise will be impossible, and the pain will continue.
In less severe cases, athletes notice a tight feeling or a pulling in their hamstring that slows them down. This type of hamstring injury often turns into a long-lasting problem.
What is Hamstring Surgey?
Avulsion Repair
Surgery is rarely needed for hamstring injuries. However, it may be needed for an avulsion to reattach the torn hamstring tendon to the pelvis. If surgery is delayed after an avulsion, the tendon may begin to retract further down the leg, and scar tissue may form around the torn end of the tendon. Both of these factors make it more difficult to do the surgery.
To begin the operation, an incision is made in the skin over the spot where the hamstring tendon normally attaches to the pelvis. The surgeon locates the torn end of the hamstring tendon. Forceps are inserted into the incision to grasp the free end of the torn hamstring tendon. The surgeon pulls on the forceps to get the end of the hamstring back to its normal attachment. The surgeon cuts away scar tissue from the free end of the hamstring tendon.
The original attachment on the pelvis, the ischial tuberosity, is prepared. An instrument called a burr is used to shave off the surface of the tuberosity. Large sutures or staples are used to reattach the end of the hamstring tendon to the pelvis.
When the surgeon is satisfied with the repair, the skin incisions are closed. This is the type of repair surgery Batista had on his hamstring.
Muscle Repair
Surgery may be needed to repair a complete tear of a hamstring muscle. An incision is made over the back of the thigh where the hamstring muscle is torn. The muscle repair involves reattaching the two torn ends and sewing them together.
Prognosis
Batista’s surgery was handled by Jeffrey R. Dugas, M.D. The doctor treats all types of orthopedic sports injuries, including injuries of the shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle and foot. He also performs total joint replacement surgery of the shoulder and knee. He maintains a special interest in throwing athletes, since much of his research concentrates in this area. Dr. Dugas is certified in cartilage and meniscus transplantation for the treatment of arthritic defects of the knee. He is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and the sub-specialty of Sports Medicine.
Right now it’s believed that the earliest Batista even return is June, but more likely August. According to Dr. Dugas, Batista will remain in Birmingham for several days after his surgery, and will begin rehab on Sunday.
WWE.com article and video and photo gallery of Batista hamstring surgery
Raw Dec. 15 Batista and Cena vs Orton, Manu and Cody Rhodes match video
