Smets op update
By TMX Archives on 16th Sep 04
FIVE-TIME world MX champion Joel Smets is getting back to full fitness after a successful operation on the snapped ligament in his right knee. The 35-year-old factory Suzuki man was able to leave hospital after an overnight stay following the surgical procedure that lasted over an hour. The broken anterior cruciate ligament was replaced and Joel reports just a little pain - the real hurt will come over the close season when he attempts to get back up to full race fitness. "The operation went well and it was good to get home," says Joel. "When they opened the knee they also repaired some small damage to the exterior meniscus. The knee looks a bit of a mess at the moment but I have three weeks just to keep icing the joint, doing some little exercises and letting things cool down before I can start carefully doing some swimming and cycling."