NEWS & EVENTS

FLOYD LANDIS Three Month Hip Update
Brent W. Kay, M.D.
January 11, 2007

Floyd has now passed the 3 month mark following his Birmingham hip resurfacing.  He has regained full strength, power and range of motion and is completely pain free.  His one leg power tests now show that the new hip is actually stronger than the other side.  With normal length restored to his femur and the elimination of his chronic pain, Floyd is riding uninhibited for the first time in nearly 4 years.

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of Floyd’s fateful crash and resulting femoral neck fracture.  Along with his wife and father in-law David Witt, I sat in the hospital that night while Floyd underwent surgery.  Although he knew his injury was severe, Floyd showed courage in those dark days and was determined to help Lance Armstrong win his record tying 5th Tour de France.  Following a second surgery to replace the pins on May 6, 2003, Floyd flew to Europe the next day to join the United State Postal Service Professional Cycling team camp just 2 months before the start of the Tour de France.

The following year Floyd developed Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head of his right hip but, like a true Champion, endured the pain and disability to help Lance Armstrong win his record setting 6th Tour de France.  The AVN typically progresses to Osteoarthritis and many subsequently require joint replacement surgery.  Unfortunately, the damage was severe at this point and Floyd underwent a salvage core decompression surgery late in 2004 and, as a result, had no training base for the 2005 season.  Following a top 10 finish in the Tour de France he began early preparation to regain his form for the 2006 season.

The AVN was now severe and Floyd knew that this would be his last season in his current state.  Floyd revealed his condition in the middle of the Tour de France to announce his newly formed Floyd Landis Foundation, developed to support research and treatment for Osteoarthritis.  Floyd’s desire to inspire and offer hope to those afflicted with the disease was heard worldwide as he won the 2006 Tour de France.