The ninth-ranked Florida Gators pulled out a big come from behind win against Kentucky this weekend, but it came with a heavy cost, as they lost their starting quarterback in the process.
Redshirt junior quarterback Feleipe Franks is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in the third quarter. On a 4th and 1, Franks tried to scramble for a first down when he was wrestled down awkwardly by a defender. Franks’ right leg caught and twisted underneath him, and it was clear that he was in significant pain. He was tended to on the field by medical staff before being carted off the field with what team doctors said was a dislocated ankle.
Dr. Silverman Breaks Down The Injury
Before we dive into the injury, let’s take a closer look at video of the play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwOI2eruV6M
Any time that someone gets bent backwards while their momentum and weight is going forward, I assume someone is going to remain injured on the ground as the pile clears. Such was the case with Franks’ injury.
Video of the play suggests an ankle dislocation is likely, and that’s also what the team doctors speculate, so we’re going to work on the assumption that Franks has a dislocated ankle. No sources have confirmed anything to the contrary, so that’s the injury we’ll be analyzing, although it’s possible that other factors are at play.
The good news for Franks, and he’s going to want some good news after learning that his season is likely over, is that most dislocated ankles can be fixed with surgery performed by a skilled orthopedic surgeon. Moreover, most patients who present with an ankle dislocation do get back to excellent ankle function and can return to high levels of competition by progressing through rehab.
The goal of surgery will be to fix fracture and realign the dislocated joint. Getting the ankle back into a stable location is crucial for full healing. They’ll also address the damage to the supportive ankle ligaments on either side of the joint. These will need to be strengthened in order to prevent ankle instability from developing. They’ll also look for nerve damage from the injury, but that’s not all that common.
Once those sites have been addressed, the surgical site will be closed and he’ll need some time to let healing take it’s course. However, it’s not just a battle against time. As soon as the wounds begin to heal, he’ll begin physical therapy. Early movement in the recovering ankle joint is crucial for strengthening key structures and fostering normal joint function and range of motion. It will take a few months, but considering that he has access to a great medical staff and world class rehab and training facilities, there’s no reason to think that Franks won’t be able to be back out on the field for his senior year. He should be ready well in advance of the 2020 season.
Here’s hoping the surgery and rehab goes as planned. Best of luck Feleipe!