Julia Clukey undergoes knee surgery

LAKE PLACID N.Y. --- Julia Clukey, winner of the 2009 International Luge Start Competition and 2010 Olympic hopeful, has undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus in her right knee following a wheeled luge crash in late August, 2009. Her teammates will begin the sliding season on October 5^th in Lake Placid, but Clukey will delay the start of her season by seven days, beginning on or about October 12.

Clukey (Augusta, Maine) injured her knee while wheel training on the luge track in Lake Placid after crashing out of curve 14. She initially planned to postpone surgery until the end of the luge season, but became increasingly uncomfortable as the weeks wore on.

Team physician Dr. Eugene Byrne performed the procedure on September 28^th in Saranac Lake, N.Y. at the Adirondack Medical Center.

“Julia had worked hard with Megan Ellzy and Jeremy Marra (Lake Placid U.S. Olympic Training Center Sports Medicine staff members) after the crash but was unable to train effectively,” said Dr. Byrne.  “She was found to have a meniscal tear which was repaired with an arthroscopic technique.   Julia will start rehabilitation at the Olympic Training Center Sports Medicine and will be on track to compete with the team for the 2009-10 season.”

Clukey should be at or near a 100% recovery by mid-November, at which point, her knee is not expected to affect her sliding, and with it, her ability to compete this season.

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