Reports: Alex Smith dealing with post-op infection in leg

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Washington quarterback Alex Smith‘s recovery from the broken tibia and fibula he suffered last month is reportedly being complicated by an infection.

Eric Bickel of 106.7 The Fan reports that Smith has had “devastating complications” after having surgery on his leg because of a post-op infection. Burgundy Blog reports that Smith will likely require further procedures in order to get rid of the infection.

The team released a statement Thursday saying that Smith and his family “remain strong” and asking others to respect their request for privacy.

Bickel adds that the complications have put his return to the field in jeopardy, although Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that it is too early to know about those ramifications.

It’s a serious issue in any event and we hope to hear better news about Smith’s help in the near future regardless of whether it means he’ll be back on the field in 2019.

64 responses to “Reports: Alex Smith dealing with post-op infection in leg

  1. As a close friend of the organization they must make sure his health is taken care of but it would be a shame if this is the way Mr. Smith sets off into the sunset

  2. Alex is a great guy. Hope he regains full dominance on his leg and doesn’t have any further complications moving forward. Must be a terrible thing to go through. Wasn’t the bust he was labeled as if this is the end.

  3. Couldve all been avoided if JJ wouldve held up and not piled on the guy who was already being tackled

  4. Hey I don’t like the sound of this. I could care less about future on the field. But I sure don’t want anyone dying because of a football injury.

    Get well there Alex.

  5. Poor guy. He needs to worry about his long-term health I know he might not want his career to end on this note, but if that infection gets worse he could lose his leg. Wish him the best.

  6. In-hospital infections after bone surgery can be disastrous.

    Really hoping the best for Alex. This news gave me a lump in my throat.

    – Colts fan

  7. I would be more worried about keeping the leg than whether or not he plays again. Everything I have read about Alex Smith has led me to believe he is a class individual. Well wishes on getting healthy.

  8. When you hear things like “devastating complications from infections” and the family “remains strong” during the ordeal, the situation far transcends football. All of PFT Nation wishes Alex a full recovery.

  9. That’s awful news. Infections are incredibly scary and one of the biggest risks of surgeries, it seems. Here’s hoping he kicks the infection in the butt and gets on the path to good health immediately.

  10. Infections after surgery today seem very common today and I just don’t get it ,,,seems like years ago the old hospitals dealt with this way better ! These infections are very scary !

  11. @elmerbrownelmerbrown

    As with so many other things (ADHD, Autism, Peanut Allergies) it’s a combination of a few things, for instance, we simply know more about them and have the news and social media infrastructure to hear about them more often.

    Not to imply this would have flown under the radar if it happened to Theisman years ago.

  12. lepepe13 says:
    December 6, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Couldve all been avoided if JJ wouldve held up and not piled on the guy who was already being tackled
    ____________________________________

    It also could have been avoided had Smith picked badminton instead of football, or if he had thrown the ball way quicker, or had the RT blocked better…. You’re really gonna try to put this on a defensive player for gang tackling an offensive player? The tackle was a clean hit that had catastrophic results.

    I sincerely hope that Smith makes it through this and is back on the field soon. But expecting JJ Watt to slow up and assume Smith won’t break that tackle is just silly.

  13. December 6, 2018 at 11:56 am
    @elmerbrownelmerbrown

    As with so many other things (ADHD, Autism, Peanut Allergies) it’s a combination of a few things, for instance, we simply know more about them and have the news and social media infrastructure to hear about them more often.

    Not to imply this would have flown under the radar if it happened to Theisman years ago.

    —————————————–

    I think it has more to do with the anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria than anything else. 40 years ago we could kill just about anything with standard anti-biotics. Now we have to get creative to deal with some of the infections we’re finding. Hospitals are mostly sterile (in the areas that matter), but the few spots that get missed breed the nastiest of germs just waiting for a host.

  14. This is really scary stuff. I went through this in my family with a MRSA battle. Antibiotics are prescribed and abused by so many people, these infections have evolved to the point where they quickly become a life and death situation with amputation the only next step.

    This isn’t about football. Alex is in my thoughts. There’s some amazing infectious disease doctors and very potent treatments available. Get well soon.

  15. Hospitals are nasty, germ-filled places where infections are easy to get. I sure hope Smith is able to get this under control. I’d be much more worried about his health than his career at this point.

  16. “Infections after surgery today seem very common today and I just don’t get it ,,,,seems like years ago the old hospitals dealt with this way better !”
    ______________

    Do you really think that sterilization and surgical techniques in 2018 are inferior to those in the past?

  17. logicalvoicesays says:
    December 6, 2018 at 11:27 am
    The Redskins were a top 5 team in the NFL with Alex Smith. Now we will never know how far ye would have gone in the playoffs. Shame.

    —————————

    You and your continued delusions of a top 5 team are comical. The Saints, Rams, Bears, Patriots, Chiefs and Texans are easily better teams than the Redskins.

  18. freakindeaconjones says:
    December 6, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    You and your continued delusions of a top 5 team are comical. The Saints, Rams, Bears, Patriots, Chiefs and Texans are easily better teams than the Redskins.

    ===============

    Arguing his point by listing only 6 teams, with at least 2 of those teams (Bears, Texans) questionable, isn’t such a great way to dispute what he’s saying.

  19. I’d like to see Alex come back for at least another season or two. It would be icing on the cake to see him in a few playoff games as well!

  20. cardinealsfan20 says:
    December 6, 2018 at 12:57 pm
    “Infections after surgery today seem very common today and I just don’t get it ,,,,seems like years ago the old hospitals dealt with this way better !”
    ______________

    Do you really think that sterilization and surgical techniques in 2018 are inferior to those in the past?
    —————————————————————————————–
    Yes they are because the hospitals and or clinics don’t want to pay for proper sterilization 99,000 people died last year from hospital acquired infections in the US ,Why do you think people are getting out of the hospital in days when it used to be weeks?They want the cheapest clean they can get it’s all about the bottom line,if you saw what I see in these places on a daily basis you’d never leave your house.
    Untrained cheap labor cleaning a whole floor with same water and or mop taking the germs and bacteria from 1 room to the next ,not cleaning light switches ,remotes ,bedrails etc…Next time you’re in a facility watch someone clean a room I’ll put a $1000 that none of touchpoints are ever cleaned and surgery rooms that’s a quick wipe down and let’s get the next one in …

  21. “elmerbrownelmerbrown says:
    December 6, 2018 at 11:40 am
    Infections after surgery today seem very common today and I just don’t get it ,,,seems like years ago the old hospitals dealt with this way better ! These infections are very scary !

    36 9 Rate This”

    Oh, dear. You really should educate yourself. Hospitals anticipate a normal infection rate of 2%, although that rate has jumped as high as 4% in recent years. In the 1870s that rate was as high as 80% in some hospitals. Lister observed infection rates as high as 47%, and Florence Nightengale saw rates as high as 40%.

    So yeah, the old hospitals did it way better.

    What IS happening, is an increase in the infection rate in the last 25 years due to the rise of “super bugs”. However, these rates of infection do not come close to previous high rates. Furthermore, this change is seems as a natural evolutionary change in how germs adapt. The fact is, hospitals are germ ridden places. You’d be safer having surgery in your house.

  22. Sadly the complications from hospitals, and doctors errors, are more dangerous than the original injury/illness/disease itself.

    All fans are praying for Alex. Get well soon!

  23. I hope he keeps his foot and gets to enjoy the rest of his life without significant pain. He’s got a long life ahead of him, football is an afterthought at this point. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery.

  24. “Yes they are because the hospitals or clinics don’t want to pay for proper sterilization 99,000 thousand people died last year from hospital acquired infections in the US”
    ________

    It is difficult to discern what is sadder, someone actually having this opinion or the fact that it has several upvotes.

  25. “Why do you think people are getting out of the hospital in days when it used to be weeks?”
    ____________

    Because treatment methods are modernized. Because surgical methods are less invasive. Because home follow up has been proven to be more effective for physical, occupational, and dietary therapy. Shall we keep going?

  26. I love those that blame JJ Watt. You’ve obviously never played the sport. Try being 6’ whatever and 290 pounds and just slow yourself down. Idiots.
    Hope Alex gets healthy.

  27. I love those that blame JJ Watt. You’ve obviously never played the sport. Try being 6’ whatever and 290 pounds and just slow yourself down. Idiots.
    Hope Alex gets healthy.

    ****************************
    Idiots is too kind

  28. After a burn and full depth skin graft I battled infections. My dads chiropractor gave me free K-laser treatments which are not yet approved for human use for this. After one treatment I was able to cut my pain medications by half. After 3 treatments I had no more staph or yeast infections. I avoided a second graft due to this. My burn center MD was amazed. Alex should give it a try. No risk, all reward.

  29. I hear most people die from staph infections acquired in hospitals more than anything… its what pretty much killed Grant Hills career. I hope that’s not what happened to Alex.

  30. As a nurse and having a history of a knee fracture I know thats a devestating injury and many complications can arise. God Bless you Alex and I hope you make a full recovery football QB or not. Stay strong and have faith I have you in my prayers.

  31. Damn. That’s rough. I had a family member who had a similar issue and due to the infection spreading they had to amputate the leg. Hope dude can make a full recovery.

  32. Sounds like compartment syndrome. If it is he’s in for a long recovery. They basically have to filet you. I’ve seen it happen in motocross. Not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

  33. Working in the medical field it’s well known that with any surgery the most scary thing is “infection” meds are available but this can be very very serious.

  34. If antibiotics aren’t sufficiently effective, why not also try deep heat, by soaking the infected area in a water bath as hot as can be used without harming his flesh. Local anesthesia might have to be also used to prevent pain.
    Heat treatments have worked for some people in the past, before the availability of antibiotics. Maybe it’s time to re-visit this.

  35. logicalvoicesays says:
    December 6, 2018 at 11:27 am

    The Redskins were a top 5 team in the NFL with Alex Smith. Now we will never know how far ye would have gone in the playoffs. Shame.

    ————————————-

    Top 4 in the NFC East. Barely.

  36. It depends on how invasive the surgery is. I had my infection treated without going under. A few day in post op with the right antibiotics (MRSA) and I went home feeling good. I was working out a week after getting home. I hope he heals quickly, his reputation is one of the good guys in sports. The media rarely reports the 99% of cases like mine.

  37. I’m sure it’s already being used/considered but he needs to get in a hyperbaric chamber ASAP. Although if the infection is in areas where there is little bloodflow, it might not help.

    (Go Steelers)

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