Kubica able to move fingers on injured hand
2011 F1 season
Robert Kubica, Renault, Valencia, 2011
Renault have given encouraging signs about Robert Kubica’s progress following his rally crash yesterday.
A statement issued by the team confirmed he has been able to move the fingers in his damaged hand following yesterday’s surgery.
The team said: “Robert’s general condition is much better today.
“After spending the night under constant observation, he was briefly woken up by the doctors of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) this morning. The Lotus Renault GP driver was then able to talk to his relatives. He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process.
“Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona, did not notice any swelling or infection on his right forearm, and this is another good sign, although it will be several days before it is known if the operation has been 100% successful.
“In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least. Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days.
“Lotus Renault GP wishes to thank the Hospital of San Paolo (Savona) and the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) for their professional approach and their dedication.”
Robert Kubica rally crash
- Kubica tests DTM Mercedes at Valencia
- Kubica says he will return to F1 if he feels fit enough
- Kubica suffers injury setback after fall
- Robert Kubica to miss start of 2012 season
- Kubica’s final operation “a total success”
- Kubica hopes to leave hospital “within ten days”
- Kubica “better every day” but too soon to decide on return
- Heidfeld: “not the way I would have liked” to return
- Renault confirm Heidfeld to take Kubica’s place
- Kubica to have final surgery on Wednesday
Image © Julien Leroy / firstlap.be
Dev said on 7th February 2011, 15:00
Thats good news, hope he recovers fully as soon as possible..
Joakim Järvinen said on 7th February 2011, 15:03
Encouraging information indeed! Makes me alot less sad and give me for sure more hope!
All the best Kubica, get well soon.
-JJ from Helsinki
sw6569 (@sw6569) said on 7th February 2011, 15:03
well I think this must be taken positively. From what I read yesterday with regards to the nerve endings, they weren’t expecting him to be able to move his hand for more than a week or so.
Then again, we also don’t know what classifies as movement – is it a twitch from a reflex or something more? And is that movement the same movement that the doctor referred to yesterday?
All this medical stuff is confusing, but lets just hope he gets better soon!
BasCB (@bascb) said on 7th February 2011, 15:06
I suppose it is hard to say with the nerves, sometimes it takes a while before they connect again. Now he just needs to avoid having any complications.
I gather that the other fractures will be worked on after the doctors get some stability in the most critical part (his hand). So he will probably be in for some surgery in the coming days.
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 7th February 2011, 20:41
I wonder if it will make any difference that he had incredibly quick reflexes and nerves in the first place. I remember towards the end of last season when a number of journalists underwent F1 training in Abu Dhabi including James Allen and Will Buxton, one of them wrote about the doctor who tests for the reflex aptitude of drivers (to see whether or not they have the natural ability required to be an F1 driver, never mind the physical training or learned car handling), and he said that Kubica held the all time record on his testing software with a near perfect score.
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23) said on 7th February 2011, 15:33
Well its all good if you if you ignore the induced coma he’s was brought out of and then put back into. I think he will recover fully but talk of 2 months out is just crazy.
How are you going to throw him into a car which will be markedly different to the car he last tested, with no testing, in the middle of a F1 season? Take your time RK and come back next season 100%.
This quote struck a chord as a blood donor
“Kubica lost a lot of blood, that is why the first hour was critical. He was unconscious and could not be operated on when he arrived at the hospital. He needed many transfusions during the stabilising process as well as during the very long surgery.”
So if you are glad he’s gonna get better get yourself to the blood donor office.
NO EXCUSES
Gwenouille said on 7th February 2011, 15:44
Good point Sparky
Plasma is needed too, but it sure takes longer to donate.
Adrian J (@adrian-j) said on 7th February 2011, 16:53
Get on the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register and sign up as an organ donar while you’re at it…
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23) said on 8th February 2011, 10:27
But you can only donate an organ once – you can give blood 4 times a year PLUS they give you food and you get to talk to nice nurses
mfDB said on 7th February 2011, 15:48
COTD from sparkyJ23 if you ask me
go donate!!
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown) said on 7th February 2011, 16:08
Hear hear.
If you can, DO.
You never know when it’ll be you in the meatwagon.
sw6569 (@sw6569) said on 7th February 2011, 16:54
not sure if you replied to the right person Sparky, I didn’t mention 2 months at all. I merely said that the news is positive – which it is.
There is no doubting the severity of the injury and that he will almost certainly be out for the majority of the season.
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23) said on 8th February 2011, 10:29
The reply wasn’t directed at you – his manager talked about 2 months. If he can button a shirt in 2 months i’ll be impressed.
Klon (@klon) said on 7th February 2011, 17:00
As someone who has already donated blood and always carry around a document which states my wish to donate my organs in case of my death I can only give you a high five, Sparky.
Spaulding (@spaulding) said on 7th February 2011, 20:33
“All this medical stuff is confusing, but lets just hope he gets better soon!” That’s mostly cause the language is being incredibly watered down for news media/public consumption. Public medical releases (at least in the US) have to pass a test that allows for gradeschool level reading comprehension so that 95+% of the population can understand it. To get clear, honest answers, most people will usually need a couple years of anatomy/medical terminology/surgical terminology to fully understand the language.
BasCB (@bascb) said on 7th February 2011, 15:03
This is great news, let’s hope Kubica will be up and going for speedy recovery. Keeping my fingers crossed to see him driving again.
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 7th February 2011, 20:43
We all are.
barkun (@barkun) said on 7th February 2011, 15:05
encouraging news ! GWS Robert !
Ronman (@ronman) said on 7th February 2011, 15:07
I believe Robert will overcome this eventually, he’s done it before, he’s got an edge…
his first words are prof of what kind of person he is: asking about his co driver before anything…a leader, and Renault still need him even if he’s not siting behind the wheel.
James said on 7th February 2011, 15:07
Encouraging news, although I fear that his racing career may now be over. I keep reading more and more details about the crash as they’re uncovered (from reputible sites that generally have their facts right), and am getting more and more convinced that this is it.
David Coulthard has given a perspective on the strains and stresses that the hands and lower arms go through when guiding a car around a track. The tone of the article would suggest that DC is fairly sure that Kubica probably wont race in F1 again.
I really hope I’m wrong on this one, and all the best to Robert.
BasCB (@bascb) said on 7th February 2011, 15:32
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9389739.stm
I read that just now. To me that does not seem to be as negative on Kubicas prospects as you suggested. But it is a very insightfull read.
Shimks said on 7th February 2011, 17:21
Thanks for the link. It sounded more positive than negative to me, actually.
Todfod (@todfod) said on 7th February 2011, 15:43
I hope you are wrong on this one as well. Its an uphill battle for Robert, but then again, you couldn’t pick a fiercer warrior.
Ben Needham (@ben-n) said on 7th February 2011, 15:08
I feel much better about this now. I heard that the first thing he asked when he awoke was about the condition of his co-driver. Very touching!
Wouldn’t be surprised if he was fit to return mid-season – but I hope he doesn’t rush himself – if he misses the first 6 races or so – he won’t be able to win the WDC anyway – so may as well take the time to recover.
A shame – I was actually going to put a little flutter on him this year.
All the best!
Adrian J (@adrian-j) said on 7th February 2011, 16:58
I would be VERY surprised if he makes a come back at any point this season.
He’ll be much better off taking the whole year off – making sure that he gives his hand and arm the best chance possible to recover and when he’s ready getting in the simulator to rack up the hours and only once he is 100% back to fitness should he get behind the wheel of an F1 car again.
This is about as serious an injury as you can have to your hand without actually losing it. It’s very unlikely that someone who suffers this kind of injury will get back the strength and dexterity they had previously – that said, if anyone can recover from this it is an F1 driver as they all have the kind of mental discipline to do whatever it takes.
Polishboy808 said on 7th February 2011, 15:16
Fantastic news! I don’t think anyone thought he would be able to move his fingbers so quickly! Maybe he will be able rio quickly recover and be back strong next season! That’s superb news
AndrewMansell (@andrewmansell) said on 7th February 2011, 15:18
Go Robert go!
Icthyes said on 7th February 2011, 15:18
Really good news, too early to say about his F1 chances but at least the hand looks like it’s going to be good for everyday stuff.
Honduran in Spain said on 7th February 2011, 15:22
Wow, these are some great news!!!! I HOPE he makes a complete and successful recovery soon!
He is one of the most promising drivers out there and he has his WDC coming to him, i just know it!!
I feel so much better after reading this. When i saw it in the news yesterday, i was sick to my stomach and pretty down but I’m definitely feeling a whole lot better now.
Get well soon Robert, you have unfinished business in F1!! ;)
Bigbadderboom said on 7th February 2011, 15:28
Get well soon Robert ;)
Nocturnis (@nocturnis) said on 7th February 2011, 15:31
If doctors said that his recovery will take a year it means that in about 3 months Boullier will have to put an electrified fence between Robert and his car ;)
Chris Burland said on 7th February 2011, 15:38
The hospital’s director of orthopaedics Dr Francesco Lanza is quoted on autosport as saying
“For the fractures suffered on his leg, he will need at least three or four months to allow the bone to set back together.”
Full article
Shimks said on 7th February 2011, 17:29
Thanks for the link, Chris.
This Boullier is really p…ing me off, actually, making predictions that Robert’s going to recover in less than a year. It’s unwanted pressure and he has no idea what will happen, only what he wants to happen.
Thank goodness Robert is alive and still has his hand, that’s all I can say.
Andy C said on 7th February 2011, 19:39
Shimks, this is not having a go at you, but lets not read something into his comments.
I am not the biggest fan of Boullier, but I very much doubt he has anything other than the best interests of Robert at hand here.
He is probably trying to come across as being positive. Just as everyone else is being positive.
We all share the view that RKs health is important, but I think it is misjudging if you believe Mr Boullier is just thinking about the team on this one.
Stuart said on 7th February 2011, 18:23
Well said Chris.I wondered when somone would notice that.
Boullier seems to have ignored that bit comepletely