“It’s the Bone They’re Drilling”: Before a Legendary Bodybuilder Slipped Into Coma, 59-Y.O. IFBB Pro Milos Sarcev Recalls Terrifying Hospital Ordeal During His Tendon Injury in 2002

Bodybuilding icon Milos Sarcev stopped competing a long time ago but remains an important figure in the sport. Earlier, the coach of the reigning Arnold Classic champion, Samson Dauda, appeared on the IFBB AMA YouTube channel for the IFBB AMA Podcast. During the episode, he recalled a “freaky” story involving a major surgery. He also recalled how his sister’s advice might have saved his life.

The 59-year-old recalled the vivid memory of his patellar tendon surgery. The IFBB Pro recounted the horrific moment when he thought the anesthesia might not be working as intended. However, the former Mr. Universe would rather live with that memory than suffer the same fate as Orville Burke.

Milos Sarcev got the shock of his life

Less than a year before Orville Burke slipped into a coma, Milos Sarcev had to get surgery for his knee. “My patellar tendon exploded,” explained the former IFBB Pro. However, shortly before his surgery, Sarcev’s sister, a laparoscopic surgeon, had warned Sarcev about anesthesia. She told her brother that many pro bodybuilders were showing “bad reactions” to anesthesia during surgery.

Sarcev’s sister advised him to stick to local anesthetics for his surgery. She explained that the anesthetics had reacted to steroids, and other bodybuilders had slipped into a coma during surgery. That’s when Sarcev brought up Orville Burke, who also slipped into a coma during what should’ve been a routine surgery. However, he also remembered the horrors of local anesthesia. 

Sarcev said he was lying down and talking during the surgery when he suddenly heard a drilling sound. “Then you can smell something,” recounted the former Mr. Universe. He then realized, “It’s the bone they’re drilling… I was like ‘What?'” said Sarcev. After he told the doctor he could feel the drill, he told the bodybuilder it was impossible or him to feel anything.

Since Sarcev didn’t feel any pain, he figured, “My mind connected a vision of a… drill and a bone,” explained the 59-year-old. However, Orville Burke wasn’t as lucky as Sarcev. While the former Mr. Universe regained movement in his knee, Burke’s promising career ended in 2002.

The tragic end of Orville Burke’s bodybuilding career

In 1999, Burke made his pro debut at 36. The bodybuilder finished top 10 at the Mr. Olympia that year and continued to do so for the following three years. He nearly cracked the top 5, placing 6th in 2001. However, tragedy struck in 2002 when Burke had a heart attack during his elbow surgery. Things went from bad to worse when the Olympia contender slipped into a coma.

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Although the bodybuilder survived, he didn’t compete after recovering from the incident. He also dissociated himself from the sport. While veterans like Milos Sarcev transitioned into coaching, Orville Burke faded into obscurity.

The former Mr. Universe carries the horrific memory of the patellar tendon surgery. However, he is thankful for his sister’s warning, as it may have saved his life. 

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