National Sports Swiss skier undergoes spinal surgery

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--> --> Swiss skier undergoes spinal surgery NOTTWIL, Switzerland (AP) - Swiss skier Silvano Beltrametti had spinal surgery Wednesday but remained paralyzed from the chest down. Beltrametti, injured Dec. 8 in a high-speed crash during a men's World Cup downhill, was in stable condition following a five-hour operation on his broken spine, according to Roland Spengler, spokesman for the Nottwil Paraplegic Center. Surgeons repaired the dislocated vertebrae and stabilized them with chrome rods and screws to prevent additional displacement of the spine, which could potentially lead to additional paralysis. Beltrametti was paralyzed after losing control during the men's season-opening downhill in Val d'Isere, France. He hurtled through safety netting at 75 mph and hit a rock, splitting his helmet. Beltrametti should be well enough to begin rehabilitation in a few days, according to Spengler. He is expected to remain at the Nottwil center for at least four or five months for medical treatment and physical therapy. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing