Kyle Fraser‘s time on “Survivor 50” didn’t last as long as he surely wanted due to the fact that he suffered a serious injury while competing on the long-running reality TV show. Now, the former contestant has revealed what it took to recover from the trauma to his Achilles tendon.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, February 26, Fraser first showed himself walking in the snow while talking about his injury. His video then shows the intense process he went through during his recovery, which involed surgery, not being able to be on his two feet for months, tackling physio and learning how to walk again.
That’s not to mention some fun he managed to have since leaving the show — including making a BIG life-changing announcement at the end of the video!
In the caption, Fraser wrote, “This injury only made me better. More to come 😁🌊 Thank you @maggiemturner, @dr_bboakye, and @stylexstrength for getting me through this and the recovery 🙏🏾”
The video prompted plenty of comments, including one from a person who wrote, “Was so sad to see it happen… but this video?? You locked in no matter what.”
“Thank you for the reminder of how to take a loss and turn it into another win. You’re incredible,” another person added.
Even his wife, Maggie, left a sweet message, saying, “Someday our daughter will see this 💕”
What Happened to Kyle Fraser on ‘Survivor 50’?
If you missed what happened to Fraser or need a little reminder, “[t]he three-hour premiere of Survivor 50 seemed to have everything … [a]nd that included, unfortunately, a shocking medical situation. It was a cruel fate that befell Kyle Fraser, as the Season 48 winner got injured on the island, leading to his removal from the game on Day 4,” according to Parade.
“During the Immunity Challenge on Day 3 of Survivor 50, the penultimate portion involved scaling a massive wall to the top of a structure. Kyle had helped his entire tribe up, leaving him at the bottom. While attempting to run up the wall, Kyle came down hard,” per Parade. The competition was stopped and “[a]fter an initial examination, … [t]he challenge then continued and, astoundingly, Q Burdette was able to get Kyle up to the top with one working leg.”
However, when an ultrasound was done on Fraser’s leg the next day, the doctor found that the contestant had torn his Achilles tendon. Without treatment, the injury could result in permanent damage, so Probst made the call to take Fraser out of the game. Fraser tried to fight the decision, but was unsuccessful and ended up being evacuated.
What It Means to Tear Your Achilles Tendon
CanvaAchilles tendon
While fans now know that Fraser injured his Achilles tendon, they may not be sure what exactly that means.
“[T]he Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. It “gives your leg strength to walk, run and jump. An Achilles tendon rupture is a full or partial tear of the Achilles tendon. This acute (sudden) injury occurs when the tendon stretches to its breaking point. It happens most frequently while playing sports. Tripping, falling or twisting your ankle can also cause an Achilles tear.”
The Mayo Clinic explains that “[i]If your Achilles tendon ruptures, you might hear a pop, followed by an immediate sharp pain in the back of your ankle and lower leg that is likely to affect your ability to walk properly. Surgery is often performed to repair the rupture.”
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