Logan Reid
In 2018, Alex Smith, a former quarterback for the NFL's Washington Football team, suffered a compound fracture on his right leg during a game. The injury resulted in a life-threatening infection that left him septic and delirious, requiring multiple surgeries and hospital stays. Smith was eventually discharged from the hospital and underwent an extensive rehabilitation process, including learning to walk and run again. By 2020, he had made a remarkable comeback, returning to the football field and even winning his first game since the injury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of injury | 18 November 2018 |
| Type of injury | Compound fracture to tibia and fibula in right leg |
| Number of surgeries | 17 |
| Type of surgeries | Muscle transfer, microvascular surgery, debridements, skin grafts, operation transferring muscle from left quadriceps |
| Other treatments | External fixation device, titanium brace, medication |
| Date of discharge | 2018 |
| Time taken to walk without crutches | 9 months |
| Date of return to the field | July 2020 |
| Date of first win after injury | 22 November 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
- Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in 2018
- He developed a life-threatening infection, causing sepsis
- Smith underwent 17 surgeries, including muscle transfer and skin grafts
- He was discharged from the hospital and continued his recovery at home
- Smith returned to the NFL in 2020, two years after his injury
Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in 2018
On November 18, 2018, during an NFL game, Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in his right leg. Smith, a former professional football quarterback, was tackled in the backfield by the Texans, and his leg was caught at an awkward angle. This injury resulted in a total of 17 surgeries, including eight debridements, across four separate hospital stays over nine months.
Following the initial surgery on his leg, Smith developed a life-threatening bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which resulted in sepsis. This infection complicated his recovery and put his life at risk. Doctors considered amputation as they fought to save his life and his leg. Smith underwent a muscle transfer and microvascular surgery to address the infection, and more than 10 additional surgeries were needed to get it under control.
Smith's recovery process was long and challenging. He wore an external fixation device for nearly a year and worked hard to regain his strength and mobility. In September 2019, a video of Smith walking without crutches was posted on social media, and he was cleared by his medical team to return to the field in July 2020, about 20 months after the initial injury. However, his return to the field was gradual, and he still had to wear a special titanium brace to protect his leg due to significant tissue loss.
Despite the severity of his injury, Smith made a remarkable comeback to the NFL. On November 22, 2020, he threw for 166 yards and a touchdown, earning his first win since before his injury. Smith's resilience and determination throughout his recovery inspired many, and he has since used his platform to address the taboo topic of pain management, helping others in their own recovery journeys.
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He developed a life-threatening infection, causing sepsis
In 2018, during a game against Houston, Alex Smith, the quarterback for the Washington Football Team, suffered a compound fracture injury. The bone broke through the skin of his ankle joint and spiraled up through his tibia to his knee, requiring emergency surgery. Although he was put on antibiotics, Smith developed a life-threatening infection, necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as a flesh-eating disease.
Days after the surgery, Smith's fever spiked, and he drifted in and out of consciousness. Doctors discovered he was septic, meaning he was releasing a lot of chemicals into his blood to fight the infection. The chemicals could have potentially led to organ damage. The flesh and tissue on his leg turned black, and Smith was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis.
Over the next nine months, Smith underwent 17 surgeries and four hospital stays. The disease resulted in the loss of most of the flesh and tissue from his knee to his ankle. Smith's infection was caused by bacteria typically found in fresh or brackish water, which doctors believe came from the football field. To save his leg, Smith underwent a muscle transfer and microvascular surgery to address the infection. He also had to wear an external fixation device, or "cage," for several months to ensure the bones and hardware used to hold the bones together didn't move and had a chance to mend.
Smith was not cleared by his medical team to return to the field until July 2020, about 20 months after the initial injury. He started the 2020 season on the injured list but made a comeback within a few months, helping his team reach the playoffs. In 2021, he was voted NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Smith has since retired from football and now works as a motivational speaker, ESPN broadcaster, and philanthropist.
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Smith underwent 17 surgeries, including muscle transfer and skin grafts
On November 18, 2018, during a game against the Houston Texans, Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture that broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Following the initial surgery, Smith developed a life-threatening infection of flesh-eating bacteria, resulting in necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. To combat the infection and save Smith's leg, doctors performed muscle transfer and microvascular surgery, along with skin grafts and debridements.
The muscle transfer surgery involved taking muscle from Smith's left leg to fill the front part of his right leg, along with connecting arteries and veins to provide blood supply and aid in bone healing. Smith also underwent skin grafts and debridements, which involved cutting and removing infected skin, tissue, and muscle. These procedures were necessary to control the infection and give Smith the best chance of recovering full use of his leg.
In total, Smith underwent 17 surgeries over four separate hospital stays and nine months. The procedures were challenging and risky, but Smith approached them with determination and a positive attitude. He was discharged from the hospital in December 2018, beginning a long and arduous recovery process that included the use of a wheelchair and crutches.
Smith's recovery was a testament to his resilience and the skill of his medical team. By July 2020, he was cleared by his medical team to return to the field, marking an incredible comeback from a life-threatening injury. Smith's journey served as an inspiration to many, and he has since used his experience to help others manage their pain and recovery.
Smith's story is a powerful example of the human capacity for perseverance and the advancements of modern medicine. His successful recovery allowed him to resume his football career and positively impact others facing similar challenges.
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He was discharged from the hospital and continued his recovery at home
Alex Smith, the retired quarterback for the National Football League’s Washington Football team, suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in November 2018. Following the injury, Smith developed a life-threatening infection of flesh-eating bacteria, resulting in sepsis. This complication led to multiple surgeries, including muscle transfer and microvascular surgery, to save his leg and life.
Smith was discharged from the hospital and continued his recovery at home. He recalled the frightening experience of leaving the hospital with bags of medications and rescue drugs, unsure of how to manage his condition. However, he persevered and, with the support of his wife, Elizabeth, he gradually regained his strength. Smith's primary concern was retaining the function of his leg so he could continue to play and enjoy activities with his children.
During his recovery at home, Smith had to wear an external fixation device, or "cage," for nearly a year to ensure his leg bones and the surgical hardware remained stable and had time to heal properly. In addition, he had to learn how to walk and run again, undergoing extensive rehabilitation. Smith's determination and the example of other patients with severe injuries inspired him to work towards returning to football.
Smith's recovery was nothing short of miraculous. By July 2020, about 20 months after his injury, Smith was cleared by his medical team to resume football activities. He started the 2020 season on the injured list but soon joined his team on the field, marking an incredible comeback. Smith's journey serves as a testament to his resilience and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Smith returned to the NFL in 2020, two years after his injury
In November 2018, Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula during a game against the Texans. The injury was caused when Smith was tackled in the backfield, and his right leg was caught at an awkward angle. Following the initial surgery to fix the fracture, Smith developed a life-threatening infection of flesh-eating bacteria, resulting in sepsis. This complication required him to undergo 17 additional surgeries, including muscle transfer and microvascular surgery, to save his leg and his life.
During his recovery, Smith wore an external fixation device for nearly a year to help with the healing process. In July 2020, about 20 months after his injury, Smith was cleared by his medical team to return to the NFL. He started the 2020 season on the injured list but was soon activated by Washington as a backup quarterback. On November 22, 2020, Smith threw for 166 yards and a touchdown, leading Washington to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. This win marked Smith's first win since his injury in November 2018.
Smith's return to the NFL after such a severe injury is considered a "miracle" by many. His determination and hard work during rehabilitation paid off, allowing him to resume his football career and inspire others with his remarkable comeback. Smith's story showcases the power of resilience and the importance of quality medical care in overcoming life-threatening challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Alex Smith was discharged from the hospital.
Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in his right leg during a game against the Texans in November 2018.
Yes, Alex Smith returned to the field in July 2020, about 20 months after his injury.
Alex Smith underwent 17 surgeries to treat his leg injury and life-threatening infection.
After retiring from the NFL, Alex Smith is now working with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to help others address acute pain management and pain management taboos.
