The Texas Rattlesnake saw noted sports medicine physician Dr. Joe Torg in Philadelphia today. Dr. Torg diagnosed that Austin has a bone spur touching his spinal cord. As a result, Austin has been experiencing pain and numbness in his hands, legs and arms.
"He felt very relieved today to finally get this diagnosis and finally pinpoint what was wrong with him," said World Wrestling Federation announcer Jim Ross, who accompanied Austin today and phoned in from the bustling Philadelphia airport.
Because Dr. Torg also worked with Austin when he suffered a neck injury in the summer of 1997, Torg was able to refer to medical records and conduct a thorough examination, Ross said.
On a seemingly positive note, Dr. Torg encouraged Austin to stay active and continue training.
Dr. Torg referred Austin to a physician in Cleveland, Dr. Henry Bahman, for further testing. According to Torg, Dr. Bahman is the "best doctor in the galaxy for this kind of injury."
Bahman will determine whether the Rattlesnake will require surgery. If so, he will require 4-6 weeks for rehabilitation, and then he'll be re-evaluated, Ross said.
"(At that point) we may find out that there are very limited limitations, and we may find out there are severe limitations," Ross said.
Ross emphasized that it's entirely too early to make a prognosis for Austin -- or even to speculate as to whether or not he can resume his in-ring career. But either way, J.R. says that Austin will be a major part of Federation television.
Austin was in high spirits today although "he's in a lot of pain, but he's got a very high threshold of pain."
If surgery is necessary, Dr. Bahman in Cleveland will conduct it. Bahman has performed these types of surgery often and successfully, most recently on Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr.
Because of the Thanksgiving weekend, no appointment has been set for Austin with Dr. Bahman.
