Niklas Backström, 35, is close to making a comeback.
Now he talks about the injury and the complex operation that changed everything.
– It was harder than I told you, he says.
Washington Capitals star Niklas Backstrom has been dealing with major hip problems for several years now, and after last season he decided to deal with the problems and undergo a complex operation.
Now, for the first time in a long time, he’s completely pain-free. And after nearly ten months of absence, he is soon ready to return.
– I’m just an ordinary guy who wants to play hockey. I missed being out there on the ice in front of the home crowd, and yeah, just playing hockey with my friends, he said on the “This Morning Caps” podcast.
“It was tough”
There he talks about how bad things are at his hip.
– I’ve been dragged with these pains for many years. She was getting better before her first surgery, eight years ago. But the past three years have been harder than I let on. It was tough. On the other hand, trying to get through season after season is part of the job as a top athlete, but when it starts to affect everyday life, it’s time to take it seriously, Backis says.
“I don’t want to stop”
The Swedish NHL star previously said he had trouble picking up socks, tying his shoes, and playing with his kids.
– If you thought about quitting smoking? Both yes and no. That was on my mind before I heard about this option. But I didn’t want to stop. When I heard about the possibility of this procedure, I felt it was a given to test it out and try it out, he says.
The procedure, which was performed in Belgium, was complex and dangerous. But everything went as planned and Bäckis was already in rehab training a few days later.
– Everyone who has undergone surgery knows that the time afterward is difficult. But I have to say I felt really good right after that. I was in the pool doing rehab already on the third day, so it went great. He said the pain went away immediately and I only had normal swelling.
Nicklas Bäckström is expected to return within the next few weeks.
