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No Timetable For Boyle's Return Following 2nd Surgery

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By CARTER GADDIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

WASHINGTON - After undergoing a second round of surgery Friday to repair thumb and wrist tendons damaged by a falling skate on Sept. 22, Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle was left with an open-ended timetable for his return.

The surgery was performed by hand specialist Thomas J. Graham at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. A tendon from another finger was used to help "restore normal strength and function" to Boyle's left wrist.

The wrist will remain immobilized for "the next few weeks," after which Boyle will begin rehabilitation. Unlike after his first round of surgery on Sept. 23, when the team announced an anticipated return in four to six weeks, no date has been set for Boyle to rejoin the lineup.

"I am extremely confident that this operation will allow Dan and the Lightning to move forward after these unusual and unfortunate circumstances," Graham said in a statement released by the Lightning.

Boyle missed the first nine games after his surgery, then returned for four games before admitting to the Lightning medical staff that his wrist didn't feel right after he experienced a "pop" on Oct. 26. Two of the three tendons damaged in the accident had not healed properly, while a third had.

Lightning athletic trainer Tom Mulligan joined Boyle in Baltimore on Friday to observe the surgery and better prepare himself for the upcoming rehabilitation.

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