BUI VI HAO RECOVERING WELL AFTER SURGERY, THE HOPE OF ATTENDING SEA GAMES 33 REMAINS ALIVE

Bui Vi Hao – a striker for Binh Duong Football Club – was a standout performer in Vietnam’s victorious 2024 AFF Cup. His impressive form earned him the “Vietnam Best Young Player of 2024” award. However, during a recent training session with his club in preparation for the National Cup quarterfinal against Ninh Binh, Bui Vi Hao sustained a serious injury.

A Major Blow for Vietnam U23 Ahead of SEA Games 33?

Upon admission to Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, a detailed examination revealed that Bui Vi Hao’s injury was even more severe than that of Nguyen Xuan Son at the 2024 AFF Cup. The 2003-born striker had suffered a torn deltoid ligament, a fracture in the lower third of the fibula, and a separation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in his right ankle.

According to doctors from the Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, this was a complex injury involving both ligamentous and skeletal structures of the ankle.

Given the severity of the trauma, Bui Vi Hao was initially expected to need 9 – 12 months of recovery, raising concerns that he might miss SEA Games 33. Without his presence, Vietnam’s U23 squad would face a significant setback in their pursuit of gold at the regional tournament scheduled for late 2025.

In response to the serious condition of Vietnam’s 2024 best young player, surgical advisor Dr. Truong Cong Dung, Specialist Level II, and the orthopedic surgical team at Nam Sai Gon International General hospital carefully devised a thorough and optimized treatment plan.

The doctors performed internal fixation surgery, realigning the fractured fibula and stabilizing the syndesmosis with screws. When reaching the deltoid ligament, the team found it to be completely torn and severely damaged — a serious and complex injury.

Consequently, they performed ankle ligament reconstruction. The entire operation was guided by advanced C-arm imaging technology. Postoperative assessments showed proper bone alignment and stable ankle joint mobility, particularly in flexion and extension. After surgery, Bui Vi Hao was closely monitored for 48 hours in a VIP recovery room to minimize complications and ensure optimal early healing.

Recovery Beyond Expectations

Contrary to the initial prognosis, Bui Vi Hao’s recovery has been more promising than expected. Doctors shared that if he continues to respond well to follow-up treatment, the young forward from Binh Duong FC could begin ball-handling drills and physical rehabilitation as early as six months post-operation.

Therefore, despite having suffered a more severe injury than his senior Xuan Son, Bui Vi Hao still has a realistic chance of joining the Vietnam U23 squad for SEA Games 33 this December.

“When I first received the bad news, I was completely devastated”, shared Bui Vi Hao. “But thanks to the successful surgery and special care from the doctors, my wound healed faster than I expected. Now I’m fully focused on rehab, hoping to recover in time to join my teammates in Thailand for the SEA Games”.

A Wake-Up Call for Athlete Safety

According to Dr. Nguyen Trong Anh, Specialist Level II in musculoskeletal disorders and sports trauma at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, Bui Vi Hao’s case underscores the importance of protecting physical health in competitive sports.

Overtraining and exceeding the body’s limits are leading causes of serious injuries like fractures and ligament ruptures. In cases where basic first aid and pain relief prove ineffective, doctors at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital advise athletes to seek prompt medical attention at facilities with sports medicine specialists for timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.