Andy Schleck has successfully undergone surgery in the Crossklinik in Basel, Switzerland. An MRI scan prior to the operation provided pictures of the right knee allowing the doctors to confirm the diagnosis of the team doctor. 

Andy Schleck’s knee is severely damaged: there are partial ruptures in the collateral and cruciate ligaments, the meniscus is torn and an injury to the articular cartilage has been diagnosed during the procedure, raising further concern about Schleck’s rehab.

Team doctor Andreas Gösele: “Besides the ligaments and the meniscus, we can also confirm that the cartilage behind the knee cap is damaged, which is the worst and most painful part of Andy’s injury. The surgeons have removed a part of the meniscus and have arthroscopically shaved the damaged cartilage. In terms of rehab he cannot put load on his knee for at least two weeks, so crutches will be necessary.”

Physiotherapy on a daily basis will be used to reduce the formation of scar tissue and encourage healing.

“I’m feeling pretty bad, to understate it," he said. "I’m gutted. My knee looks like there’s been an explosion inside. I’ll be on crutches for at least two week and from there on we will see.

"I cannot ask for a detailed time line right now, and that is hard to deal with. There’s nothing else I can do. Acceptance is the first step of my rehab and I’m working on that now. There’s lots of work to be done before I’ll be back, but I’m used to fighting back.”