Barbaro continues to Improve

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by boldruler

It looks like he continues to get better.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34258

Barbaro Gets New Bandages, Screws; Radiographs 'Look Great'
by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: 7/3/2006 4:18:06 PM
Last Updated: 7/3/2006 4:18:06 PM

Edited New Bolton Center release
Doctors at New Bolton Center's George D. Widener Hospital on Monday changed the cast on the hind right leg of Barbaro for the second time since the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) was injured in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on May 20.
"Barbaro is back in his stall and is doing well," said chief of surgery Dean W. Richardson, who replaced the cast he had put on Barbaro on June 13. "Also, we replaced two bent screws and added three new ones across the pastern joint. His radiographs look great, and he had another successful pool recovery."

Barbaro remains in intensive care at the hospital at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

I did not read that report as positively as you did. I thought, "Uh oh, they had to go back in and do more surgery." I don't remember the possibility of additional surgery/screws ever being discussed as part of his recovery.

Also, the DRF story had this disturbing line:

"New Bolton veterinarians declined to comment further on Barbaro's second surgery and the latest cast change or whether there was cause for concern over the leg's long-term structural viability."

On the positive side, "His radiographs look great" is certainly good news.

I think Richardson was probably not being overly cautious when he gave Barbaro a 50-50 chance to make it. The additional surgery is a reminder that Barbaro is still in serious danger.

--Dunbar