Lou Holtz Reported Stable After Surgery On Spine

Wed., Sept. 13, 1995

Compiled From Wire Services

Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz was in stable condition Tuesday after surgery to remove pressure on his spinal cord, said octors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Doctors discovered a bone growth was compressing Holtz’s spinal cord after he complained of weakness in his leg and arm muscles in recent weeks, said Dr. James Moriarity, university physician.

An operation was needed immediately to avoid permanent spinal cord damage and possible paralysis.

During surgery, doctors removed the disc in Holtz’s neck that was bulging against his spinal cord and replaced it with a bone graft. The 4-1/2-hour surgery went well and there were no complications.

Holtz was to spend Tuesday night in the intensive care unit for observation and be transferred to a regular room today.

Holtz is expected to be hospitalized through the weekend, which means he won’t even be on campus for Notre Dame’s game Saturday against Vanderbilt. Holtz will be out at least three weeks, leaving defensive coordinator Bob Davie as the interim coach.

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Lou Holtz Reported Stable After Surgery On Spine

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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