Spinal surgery for Helen Jenkins

Great Britain’s three-time Olympian and twice ITU Triathlon World Champion, Helen Jenkins (www.helenjenkins.co.uk), is this morning recovering from spinal surgery, with another operation due next week.

In an extended blog article on the HUUB website (linked below), Helen outlines her long history of back related issues due to Spondylolisthesis – a slippage of the L5/SL vertebra, right at the bottom of her spine – problems from which started back in 2011.

Dealing with injuries is one of the toughest parts of sport and I have had to become very good at it. I am resilient, focused and willing to adapt training and do what I can to maintain to be the best my body will allow me to be.

Helen revealed, “When my back went again recently I realised, I just can’t keep going on the way I have been over the last few years. I am exhausted from the constant emotional fight to get fit, knowing at any time it can, and inevitably will stop me in my tracks again no matter what I do.”

Any surgery involving the spine is clearly not to be taken lightly and Helen’s post outlines that the decision certainly hasn’t been rushed into; “I wasn’t willing to have major surgery on a whim. My priority is to have an active and healthy life with my family in the future.”

You can read Helen’s full blog update HERE

Thanks for the messages of support. Feeling well enough to resume mum duties. Time nursery rhymes pic.twitter.com/oD0b3bi3hb

— Helen Jenkins (@heljinx) January 9, 2018