Photo Credit: Mike Morbeck, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During the 2011 NFL season, Chicago Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler was treated by elbow, wrist and hand specialist Dr. Randy Viola for an injury to his right thumb. In a game against the San Diego Chargers, Cutler suffered a Bennett fracture, which is a break in the metacarpal bone where the thumb meets the wrist.
With six games remaining in the season, Cutler was in search of a procedure that would return him to the field quickly. Initially, Chicago Bears team doctor told Cutler it would take six to eight weeks for a recovery, but Dr. Viola presented Cutler with a more optimistic timeline. Cutler decided to go with hand specialist Dr. Viola to treat his injury.
Known for his innovative treatment techniques Dr. Viola inserted three screws and two pins near the base of Cutler’s thumb. During the surgery, Dr. Viola had Cutler grip a sterilized football to ensure that the procedure was accurately executed.
“Randy Viola is the best,” Cutler declared on his Twitter page. With hopes to return to the field before the end of the season rehab was the next crucial step in the recovery process.