Gianluca Zambrotta said he underwent experimental surgery to correct his bow-legged legs because the pain had become unsustainable. Zambrotta, 49, said even going up and down stairs had become extremely difficult.
Two operations on his legs
Zambrotta said he had two operations to straighten out his legs. He said he had the operation on his left leg a year ago and has now had surgery on his right leg too.
Zambrotta on his health
“People used to recognise me first by looking at my legs, then my face,” joked Zambrotta in La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera.
“However, I have to think about my health. I probably should’ve had this operation 10 years ago, but I delayed it. The situation really started to deteriorate after I stopped my playing career,” said Zambrotta in La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera.
Football Italia's reported details
Football Italia reported that Zambrotta's condition is genetic. Football Italia also reported that his medical approach inspired his father Alberto to have similar surgery.
Football Italia reported that father and son had the same operation on the same day in the same structure, the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli in Bologna.
Career note
Football Italia described Zambrotta as one of the key figures in Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph.
