PHOTOS: Kevin Ware injury brings game to standstill
During the NCAA tournament, the Louisville guard suffered a compound fracture in his right leg. But Tuesday he was up and walking on crutches.
Doctors say Kevin Ware is not in pain after a two-hour surgery to repair the horrifying fracture.
The bone was reset and a rod was inserted into the tibia.
Orthopedic surgeons explain that basketball players are prone to stress fractures in the tibia, the larger of the two leg bones, and that can weaken them. If not detected, they can result in a full fracture.
"When Kevin landed and his foot planted, the significant pressure on those bones led to it going through the soft tissue," said NYU's Dr. Eric Strauss_Surgeon. "He's gonna likely require a considerable amount of rehabilitation to regain his mobility."
The stomach-churning moment came when Ware landed awkwardly and his right leg snapped beneath him, exposing the broken bone. The injury had fans, players and coaches in tears.
Surgery to stabilize the bone is usually successful.
Louisville won the game and advanced to the Final Four.
Ware is expected to be able to travel with the players next week to cheer them on.