Beckham recovering well after surgery: Doctor

The Achilles’ tendon was totally torn, and orthopedic surgeon Sakari Orava said the 34-year-old Beckham is expected to be out of action for about six months.

Orava told The Associated Press that Beckham was in ‘some pain’ after Monday’s surgery but was doing well.

‘These walking exercises are the first day’s program after surgery,’ Orava said. ‘After that he will get a detailed program for further rehabilitation, and then, (Wednesday) probably, he flies to London, and then to the U.S.’

Beckham, who was injured in the closing minutes of AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Chievo Verona on Sunday, was all but certain to miss the World Cup in South Africa in June. He was on his second loan to the Italian club from Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

Orava said Monday that he Beckham would have to take it ‘very easy’ for up to a month. Orava also said it would be ‘four months to running’ and another two months before the former England captain was likely to be back playing.

Beckham’s spokesman, Simon Oliveira, said the tendon was completely repaired, and he expected the midfielder to play again.

‘David is expected to make a full recovery,’ Oliveira said.

A statement from AC Milan said Beckham will remain under observation for a few days.

Using crutches, Beckham hobbled out of a private jet at Turku airport in southwestern Finland on Monday, arriving minutes later at the clinic surrounded by security guards and amid cheers from hundreds of fans who had gathered outside the entrance.

‘I am upset but (want) to thank everyone for their messages of support,’ Beckham said in a statement posted on his personal Web site before his arrival. ‘I hope to make a swift and full recovery.’

The injury shattered Beckham’s hopes of becoming the first English player to appear in four World Cups and put his future on the national team in doubt. He will miss most of the MLS season.

‘Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game and they are even more disappointing when they happen to a player who was so close to realizing his dream of representing his nation at this summer’s World Cup,’ Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said Monday. ‘David remains an important player for the Galaxy and we look forward to welcoming him back to the club and assisting him in his recovery.’

With only a few minutes remaining in the Chievo game and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself in the center circle when he took a pass with his left foot, stepped back awkwardly, then stepped forward and started hopping on his right foot with an expression of pain on his face.