Kubica's Crash and Recovery

In light of our Legends week here at Girls Like F1 Too.  I would like to take a moment to recap what has happened this morning and what it will mean to Kubica and the 2011 F1 season.

As we all know, Robert Kubica was in a shunt during the Ronde di Andora Rally near Genoa when he left the road at high speed and crashed into a wall.

In a statement, Lotus Renault GP confirmed Kubica was airlifted to hospital but gave no details of his condition. "Lotus Renault GP driver, Robert Kubica, suffered an accident at high speed while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally," the statement said. "The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver is fine."

The crash is reported to have taken place 4.6km into the stage. Kubica's car, a Skoda Fabia, left the road and collided with the wall of a church.

Kubica is said to have remained conscious during a lengthy operation to free him from the car before he was airlifted away.

Hours after Lotus Renault GP releases on twitter first that "after extensive medical checks, Robert has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. He is undergoing surgery."

What is the recovery from a tibial plateau fracture (leg break)? Recovery from a tibial plateau fracture can take several months. Because the cartilage surface of the joint is involved, the knee must be protected from weight until the fracture has healed. Most commonly patients will be allowed to move the knee joint, but not put weight on the leg for about three months. The exact length of time of limitations will vary on the fracture type and the amount of healing that takes place.

When a fracture occurs into or around a joint surface, that joint is at high risk of developing arthritis due to the injury. Unfortunately, even if the bone and cartilage surfaces are lined up perfectly, there is still a risk of developing arthritis due to injury to the cartilage cells.

What problems may I encounter if I sustain a hand fracture you may ask. Most hand fractures will heal uneventfully. The two most common problems patients who sustain a hand fracture will face are stiffness of the fingers any noticeable bump. The bump is usually a result of extra bone the body forms as part of the healing process. While the bump does diminish in size over time it may never completely go away. Finger stiffness is prevented by beginning motion as soon as possible. It is sometimes necessary to work with a specialized hand therapist in order to help regain finger motion.

So as sad as it is, it seems that we may not have the chance to watch Kubica take the new Lotus Renault GP to new heights.  I personally hope that he proves medical science wrong and comes back stronger than ever in 2011.