Torn Tendon Sidelines President Bok

President Bok underwent surgery, this afternoon at The Peter Bent Brigham Hospital for repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained during a basketball game this morning against the editors of the Crimson.

Dr. J.D. "Drennam" Lowell '44 performed the two-hour operation to reattach Bok's left Achilles tendon, which Bok tore 1': inches above the heelbone while rebounding late in the first half of the game at Hemenway Gymnasium.

Lowell said early this evening that Bok is resting comfortably, and he expects Bok to be released from the Hospital Tuesday or Wednesday. "He needs to stay at The Brigham until we are sure that the tissue has satisfactory begun to heal, so the actual day he is released could change," Lowell said.

The injury Bok sustained is common to athletes, particularly in sports such as basketball, squash and tennis. After he is released from the Hospital, Bok will be at home for at least a week and then will be on crutches for four to eight weeks, according to Dr. Francis D. Moore, head of surgery at Peter Bent Brigham.

Bok's left leg will be in a long knee cast running two-thirds the way up his thigh for several weeks.

Move to Elmwood

Charles U. Daly, vice president for Government and Community Affairs, said late this afternoon that Bok's convalescence will not greatly affect the day-to-day operations of the University.

Bok's secretaries will probably move to his home. Elmwood. Daly said, and additional telephone lines will be connected at the house. "I suspect that we will continue pretty much as usual, only Derek will be tied down at home and he will have to conduct most of his business over the phone." Daly said.

Daly added that the University's administrative staff will take care of many of less crucial details to which Bok attends each day." If three vice presidents and the general counsel can't run the University in consultation with the President for a couple of weeks, he should probably fire us all." Daly said.

The March meeting of the Board of Overseers scheduled for Monday will be held as scheduled. None of the business on the agenda--which includes Bok's nominations for Dean of the College and Vice President for Alumni Affairs--requires direct presentation by Bok.

Spinal Anesthesia

Today's operation--an open repair suture of Bok's gastrocnemius tendon-- was done under spinal anesthesia because Bok had eaten early this morning. As a result, Bok was awake during the operation and could communicate with Dr. Lowell.

"He's in very good shape," Lowell said after the operation, which he termed routine. "He's a very well developed man and that makes the outlook for a rapid recovery all the better."

Often when a person Bok's age--he will be 42 this month-ruptures an Achilles tendon, no operation is performed and the leg is simply placed in a cast. However, when further athletic activity is anticipated, open repair is usually chosen to restore as fully as possible the tendon's strength.

Bok was injured at about 10:30 a.m., and after hobbling off the court, was taken by car to Stillman Infirmary. Dr. Robert H. Ebert, dean of the Medical School, was called from his Brattle Street residence at 11:30 a.m. to examine President Bok along with Dr. Moore.

Moore decided an operation was necessary and Bok was taken to Brigham at 12-15 p.m. in Ebert's car. "He was not in much pain at the time but he could not walk under his own power." Ebert said today.

The operation began at about 2:30 p.m. and Bok was in the recovery room by 4:30 p.m. He returned to his room three hours later, and its now resting well.

Expensive Free Throw

The injury occurred as the first half of the return match of the Crimson's thrilling 23.3 football victory last fall drew to a close. The score at the time was favor of the Administration. Coming down with a rebound off a missed Crimson throw, Bok fell to the floor.

As play went on. Bok signalled for a time out, but the referee did not notice the injury, and Bok pulled himself to the sideline where he took off his left shoe and sock. Play was finally halted and Bok hopped to the side of the court.

"I thought I'd experienced all the sports injuries you could have, but I've never felt anything like this." Bok said moments later. "The heel cord is usually hard but this feels like a soft jelly mass."

Sissela Bok, the President's wife, and their three-year-old son. Thomas, were at court side for the contest and accompanied Bok to Stillman Infirmary.

However, all was not lost, as Daly pointed out while explaining the injury later this afternoon: "He'll probably be at home for three weeks and on crutches till May, but there's no doubt he'll be ready for softball season."

As play went on. Bok signalled for a time out, but the referee did not notice the injury, and Bok pulled himself to the sideline where he took off his left shoe and sock. Play was finally halted and Bok hopped to the side of the court.

"I thought I'd experienced all the sports injuries you could have, but I've never felt anything like this." Bok said moments later. "The heel cord is usually hard but this feels like a soft jelly mass."

Sissela Bok, the President's wife, and their three-year-old son. Thomas, were at court side for the contest and accompanied Bok to Stillman Infirmary.

However, all was not lost, as Daly pointed out while explaining the injury later this afternoon: "He'll probably be at home for three weeks and on crutches till May, but there's no doubt he'll be ready for softball season."