Athletes from many sports that have suffered major knee injuries over the years have turned to Pittsburgh, and UPMC’s renown surgeon Dr. Freddie Fu.
Again, this appears to be case, as one of the biggest names in English Premier League, Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be making his way to Pittsburgh to see Fu after suffering a debilitating knee injury that might even be worse than initially diagnosed.
The concern for Ibrahimovic stems from fear that he may have suffered posterior ligament and medial ligament as well as cruciate ligament damage to his knee during United’s Europa League tie at home to Anderlecht last Thursday.
In case you didn’t see it, here’s the replay of the injury.
Dr Fu, chairman of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has vast experience in treating athletes — but he’s probably most known to treat American football players and athletes. The Hong Kong-born specialist Fu is an expert on ACL injuries and has conducted over 6,000 operations.
One reason why Ibrahimovic, who is 6′ 5″, may have turned to Dr Fu is because he is more used to dealing with bigger, stronger athletes.
On Instagram over the weekend, Ibrahimovic, who’s contract with Manchester United will expire at the end of the season, expressed that despite the devastating injury, he plans to come back.
“I will go through this like everything else and come back even stronger,” Ibrahimovic wrote.
“So far I played with one leg so it shouldn’t be any problem. One thing is for sure, I decide when it’s time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon.”
Once again, the road to recovery for another big name athlete will begin in Pittsburgh.