Hope Solo Substitutes Suspension For Shoulder Surgery

Hope Solo no longer has to worry about her shoulder issues. The goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National team is currently on a six-month suspension from the team, which gave her time to have much-needed shoulder surgery, which took place this past Tuesday. 

“For the first time in years, I can raise my right arm above my head,”  Solo said in a post on Instagram. “I’m filled with excitement knowing how life-changing this is and I look forward to coming back healthier and stronger than ever.”

Solo posted photos of herself smiling on her social media accounts. “An opportunity presented itself after my contract was terminated and while difficult, it opened the door to take care of a long overdue surgery,” she said.

Yesterday, I underwent shoulder replacement surgery to address an injury I’ve been dealing with for some time. An opportunity presented itself after my contract was terminated and while difficult, it opened the door to take care of a long overdue surgery. Thanks to a brilliant team of doctors at the University of Washington Medical Center led by Dr. Frederick Matsen (my new Captain Sully, my hero!) I’ve got a brand new shoulder (read: bionic) and for the first time in years, I can raise my right arm above my head. I’m filled with excitement knowing how life-changing this is and I look forward to coming back healthier and stronger than ever. (At left, four minutes after waking up with Dr. Matsen; at right, four hours after waking. For more on the procedure, which was developed by Dr. Matsen at the Univ. of Washington, check the link in my bio.)

A photo posted by Hope Solo (@hopesolo) on Sep 28, 2016 at 8:43am PDT

Solo was suspended for six months for inappropriate comments at the Rio Olympics. She referred to the Sweden National team as a “bunch of cowards” after getting eliminated by Sweden via penalty kicks. Solo will be eligible to sign a new contract with the national team come February. For now, we don’t know how long her recovery will take.