Doctors Confident Fittipaldi Will Walk

Thu., Sept. 11, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

Emerson Fittipaldi will have an “almost 100 percent” chance to walk again after the champion driver has surgery to repair a spinal fracture stemming from a plane crash, his doctors said Wednesday.

The 50-year-old racer, a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and a national hero in Brazil, has a partially paralyzed left leg. He flew from Brazil to Miami on Wednesday for further treatment.

He is scheduled for lower back surgery today at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

“The chances are almost 100 percent he’ll be able to walk,” neurologist Barth Green said after an initial examination.

Dr. Frank Eismont, an orthopedic surgeon who will be part of the surgical team, added, “The good news is that the paralysis in his leg now is significantly less than right after the injury.”

Fittipaldi may be released from the hospital within a week. He will have to wear a back brace for six months.

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Doctors Confident Fittipaldi Will Walk

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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