COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two-time and reigning World Champion Steer Wrestler Lee Graves underwent surgery March 23 to repair a torn bicep tendon in his left arm, and he is expected to be sidelined for 3-6 months.
Graves, of Calgary, Alberta, suffered the injury during Super Series competition at RodeoHouston, but chose not to withdraw. He had a time of 9.1 seconds in the semifinal round after breaking the barrier and failed to post a time in the Wild Card round.
Dr. Tandy Freeman, medical director of the Justin Sportmedicine Team, performed the operation in Dallas three days after the completion of the rodeo.
“He had to pull the bicep down and screw it back onto the bone,” Graves told Dwayne Erickson of the Calgary Herald. “It can take anywhere from four to six months for it to grow (naturally) back to the bone.”
The arm is in a brace, and he expects to begin light physiotherapy sometime next week.
Two years ago, Graves was out of action for eight months recovering from surgery to repair a torn patella tendon in his right knee, but came back last year to edge Luke Branquinho for the world championship.
Graves is 17th in the current PRCA World Standings.
