De Vos: Surgery Saved My Career
Wednesday, 19th Dec 2007 09:49

Town skipper Jason De Vos says his football career would now be over if he hadn't undergone foot surgery in April. The former Canadian captain says the operation has given him a new lease of life.

Speaking to TWTD in an interview for issue 90 of the fanzine, which will be available around the ground on Saturday prior to kick-off, De Vos said: “I had a cheilectomy in April as I had a lot of bone spurs and debris on my foot.

“Towards the end of last season I could hardly bend my first metatarsal MTP joint, basically my big toe joint. It was really quite painful, so we went down to see the surgeon who works with the Royal Ballet and he was fantastic. I can't overstate how fantastic, he was wonderful.

“I had surgery and it was like someone had put a new foot on the end of my leg. I was amazed at the difference post-op and pre-op. The physios were as well. The amount of flexibility I now have is remarkable and it allows me to run normally without any pain.

“So, from that standpoint, I feel great. If you'd asked me that in March, I would probably have said I'd struggle to get to Christmas because I was in that much pain.”

The 33-year-old says describing the surgery as career-saving is a bit over the top: “You could say that, although I don't think it's as dramatic as that as I'm not 21-years-old, but I definitely don't know whether I'd be playing right now if I hadn't had that surgery.

“I still love playing the game and I have the enthusiasm of an 18-year-old at times, which I suppose you get when you can sense that your career is coming to a close and then you get given a new lease of life. You appreciate how much you love the game.”

TWTD's sellers will be found around the ground from 1pm on Saturday, by Sir Alf, Planet Blue and the Portman Road entrance to the Greene King Stand.

Alternatively, if you can't make the game, fans anywhere in the world can purchase a single copy or six-issue subscription online here.

Photo: Action Images

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