Medical update on Robert Wickens (9th Update)
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| Wickens sets sail. His injuries were MUCH worse than originally thought |
UPDATE Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens underwent surgeries this week at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to repair fractures to both of his legs and hands from injuries sustained in a crash during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Aug. 19. The surgeries were completed without complication.
Wickens is expected to be transferred to a rehabilitation center in the coming days to begin the recovery process. The severity of the spinal cord injury he sustained in the incident remains indeterminate and under evaluation. Physicians stress it could take weeks or months for the full effects of the injury to be known.
“We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and positive energy that has been sent our way since Robert’s accident," the Wickens family said in a statement. "We are blown away by the strength of this INDYCAR community and the support within it. While Robert’s recovery and rehabilitation continue over the coming weeks and months, your loving messages will certainly be a source of encouragement for him.
"As unverified sources immediately following Robert's accident inaccurately and without permission portrayed his condition as less than severe, in an effort to remain transparent and open, we are providing a list of Robert’s injuries to truly showcase the severity of what our son / brother / fiancé / friend / teammate has gone through and will be recovering from in the months to come."
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| If the catrch-fences were lined with thick Plexiglas this would not happen. It is irresponsible for these fences to not be fixed immediately. Who will be next? |
Among the injuries Wickens sustained were:
- Thoracic spinal fracture
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck fracture
- Tibia and fibula fractures to both legs
- Fractures in both hands
- Fractured right forearm
- Fractured elbow
- Four fractured ribs
- Pulmonary contusion
“The INDYCAR community has been nothing but supportive the last few weeks," Ric Peterson and Sam Schmidt, co-owners of SPM, noted in a statement. “We are grateful for their support as well as the exceptional care given to Robert by the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team, the INDYCAR Medical Staff, the surgeons and nursing staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest and everyone at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
"While Robert continues his recovery, we want to make it clear that the No. 6 entry is for Robert Wickens and him only. No matter the amount of time it takes for his full recovery, we will hold that seat for him. Carlos Muñoz, the named driver for the last two events on the 2018 calendar is doing a great job for us to keep the No. 6 owner championship points alive, and we very much appreciate all the hard work he’s putting into helping us finish the season.
“The road to Robert’s recovery will be a long and tough one, but we hope you’ll be alongside us cheering him on. BETTER. STRONGER. FASTER."
An update will be provided when Wickens has been transferred to his rehabilitation facility. Further updates will come from Wickens. Alongside the team, he will document his recovery process and share updates at appropriate times. SPM, the Wickens family and Robert ask everyone to respect their request for privacy at this time.
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| Improving every day but no word if he has paralysis |
08/31/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens was transferred to IU Health Methodist Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 30 to continue treatment in his home of Indianapolis. He will soon undergo further surgery on his lower extremities.
Wickens had been in the care of Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest since his Aug. 19 incident during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway. The Wickens family and SPM organization want to thank the surgeons, nursing team and the staff at the LVHN facility for their care of Robert the last 12 days.
08/29/18 Jeff Gluck tweeted: Update on Robert Wickens from James Hinchcliffe: Wickens is “getting better every day" and his first words during hospital visit were, “Sick glove, bro" (talking about compression glove Hinch is wearing after injury). Says everyone hoping Wickens can be transferred to Indy hospital soon.
08/25/18 For the first time following his Aug. 19 incident at Pocono Raceway, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is breathing without medical assistance and speaking with his family.
Robert’s family and the entire SPM organization are very pleased to share this information and wish everyone a safe event tonight in St. Louis.
08/24/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens continues to be treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest for injuries sustained during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19. Surgeries were performed late this week on his right arm and lower extremities without complication.
The extent of the spinal cord injury remains indeterminate. Wickens also underwent a series of precautionary tests that found no indication of further injury.
Future treatment for Wickens includes more corrective surgery and rehabilitation. Further updates will be provided when available.
08/21/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens underwent surgery Monday, August 20 at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest to stabilize a thoracic spinal fracture associated with a spinal cord injury sustained during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19.
Titanium rods and screws were placed successfully in Wickens’ spine during the surgery, which was performed without complication.
The severity of the spinal cord injury is indeterminate at this time. He is expected to undergo further surgeries to treat the fractures in his lower extremities and right forearm. He remains in stable condition. Further updates will be provided when available.
08/20/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens continues to be treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest following injuries sustained in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19. An MRI was instrumental in revealing the most appropriate surgical course and Wickens is undergoing surgery Monday evening for a spinal injury.
Further updates will be provided when available.
Spinal injuries are never a good thing and we wish Wickens the best through this most difficult time.
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| Robert Wickens |
08/20/18 We now hear that Wickens has two broken ankles, not legs, a possible broken vertebrae, and a broken arm. We await an official update.
08/19/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine following an incident in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. He also sustained a pulmonary contusion. He will undergo an MRI and probable surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. Further updates on his condition will be provided when available.
08/19/18 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens, involved in a crash on Lap 7 of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway today, has been admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with orthopedic injuries. He is still being evaluated. INDYCAR will provide medical updates as they become available.