Saina Nehwal: The surgery went fine, I am feeling better now

Ace Indian shutter and London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal underwent a right knee surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) on Saturday and she's feeling a lot better already. "Today's surgery went fine. I am feeling better now," the 26-year-old told mid-day on Saturday.

Saina Nehwal with her father Harwinder at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Pic/Twitter

According to Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala (Centre for Sports Medicine Head and Director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the KDAH) Nehwal was diagnosed with a right knee infrapatellar spur displaced fracture with patellar tendon impingement and anterior knee pain which she began suffering from since August 1 and got worse on August 8 after training and playing at the Rio Olympics.

The World No 5 suffered sharp pain especially while lunging and flexing her knee which eventually ended her dream of another Olympics medal she lost to Ukraine's World No 61 Marija Ulitina 18-21, 19-21 in her second group match. "She has sustained an intra-articular injury (inside the joint) to her right knee.

Saina Nehwal posted this picture on Twitter after the surgery

A small fragment of bone has separated from her patella (knee cap bone). This displaced fragment is causing her impingement and pain. Saina has undergone arthroscopic surgery this morning and is back in her room," Dr Pardiwala told PTI.

'Need some rest'
Saina is now looking forward to some much needed rest and recuperation. "I am still a little tired after the surgery. I need some rest to recover," she added. According to sources Nehwal will need to rest for around four months following which she will have to undergo a rehabilitation programme.

Meanwhile, Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta wished Nehwal a speedy recovery. "I am confident that she will overcome this injury. BAI will bear all the expenses for this surgery," Das Gupta told mid-day from Lucknow on Saturday.