An Italian professional golfer is maintaining an optimistic outlook as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in a shocking elevator accident in South Africa earlier this year.
Andrea Pavan, who has claimed victory twice on Europe’s DP World Tour, plummeted three floors down an empty elevator shaft in February while staying near Stellenbosch Golf Club. The 37-year-old athlete had summoned the elevator at his lodging when the doors opened to reveal nothing but an empty shaft.
The terrifying fall left Pavan with multiple broken bones in his spine and a severe shoulder injury that necessitated surgical intervention.
Speaking with the BBC about his recovery timeline, Pavan explained the medical milestones ahead. “Around three months we’ll see how well the bone has healed. Around six months it’s about where complete bone healing happens and we’ll see how the joint is moving by then,” he said.
“It depends on if there are other tissues that were damaged if I need a second surgery. And there’s the possibility of necrosis when the blood flow is not sufficient for the bones. There is that risk, but so far it seem like things are positive enough,” Pavan continued.
The golfer acknowledged the complexity of his shoulder rehabilitation, noting the joint’s demanding nature in his sport. “The shoulder is a very demanding joint. Hopefully it’s a little less than a year that I can play with a full swing but it’s just so new and such a big injury there just a lot of unknowns,” he shared.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Pavan remains determined as he heals at his residence in Texas. “But I’m hopeful and the only thing I can do is to try and improve and take it day by day,” he added.
