Wayne Gretzky’s Career-Threatening Injury Aggravated While Visiting His Pregnant Wife in 1992: “Everyone Became as Scared as He Was”

NHL prodigy Wayne Gretzky’s contributions in the world of ice hockey as a player and in promoting the sport nationwide was significant. However, in 1992, the star athlete suffered from a severe injury that rendered his glorious career into the red zone. Apparently, he returned back home to his pregnant wife Janet Jones when the unbearable pain took over his veins and was rushed to the hospital.

In the book, The Great One, Gretzky once revealed specifics that made his fans empathize with the legend. A herniated thoracic disk loosened the great spirit, wishing to preserve his athletic dream. Let’s find out what went down in the historic athlete’s life.

Wayne Gretzky’s dismaying injury

As per the Gretzky’s autobiographical book, The Great One, he returned home to support his wife, Janet Jones who was pregnant with their third child. Soon enough, in between the late hours of the night, Gretzky experienced tormenting pain in his chest as a result of a herniated thoracic disk. Thereafter, he was hurried into professional medical care for about a week. 

“We visited him in the hospital, and everyone became as scared as he was”, said Granato. However, the then 31-year-old athlete had been practicing for three days in the pre-season camp, prior to his diagnosis. The most viable answer for his condition was 14 seasons of hurling and getting thrashed in his profession.

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Unfortunately, as per doctor’s advice his chances of getting back on the rink was bleak. “We have no timetable for this program and will not speculate on a date for his return”, disclosed Dr. Robert Patkinson, his orthopedic consultant at that moment. In addition to that, The fact that he couldn’t continue playing didn’t sink in quite well with Gretzky. He publicly opened up about the news on the 7th November, 1992 at the Hockey Night in Canada TV show. The athlete appeared pretty dull as well as sounded low. Hence, it conformed to his exit from the game.

The Great One‘s 1993 return

To everybody’s shock, Wayne Gretzky returned to the rink in 1993, the following year of his serious hernia diagnosis. The athlete stunned fans and the NHL domain with his speedy recovery. “… everybody thought I’d died…Nobody expected me to play this well”, said Gretzky. 

The Canadian player chose therapy, meditation, and ample recovery time over surgery. Eventually, the hernia disc size was minimized which helped him to re-spawn into his beloved game. Even though the LA Kings lost the game that year, Gretzky came out as the leading scorer.

A man of true spirit—The Wayne Gretzky—was built out of pure courage and passion. At times when one would be utterly discouraged, he envisioned his future and made it come alive! He battled human limits and sprung back to action within no time. Such a hero. What do you think of the star? Let us know in the comments. 

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