Australian runner Ned Buckell to compete in Melbourne after hip replacement
In Australia, runner Ned Buckell plans to take part in the 5 km distance at the Melbourne Marathon Festival in October. He will run through the streets of Melbourne again after a decade during which he endured a dangerous staphylococcal infection, lengthy treatment and a hip replacement.
As ABC News Australia reports, Buckell began focusing on running at the age of 13–14. At 14, he became ill: he had a fever and severe pain that prevented him from standing properly. Doctors found that a staphylococcal infection had affected his hip joint and spread to his heart.
Lengthy treatment
Buckell underwent four hip joint washout procedures: three in Bendigo and another at the Royal Children’s Hospital. He spent three and a half weeks in hospital and was discharged on the eve of his 15th birthday.
After that, the athlete used crutches for 18 months. He said his family’s support was especially important to him, as during that time he could not maintain his usual active lifestyle and watched his brothers work and play sports.
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Joint problems
In 2022, after returning to a high level of running, Buckell ran 5 km at the Bendigo 5km Frenzy in 14 minutes 42 seconds and set a local record among athletes under 20. Later, his hip joint problems returned.
He was diagnosed with avascular necrosis — the death of bone tissue due to insufficient blood supply. Surgical treatment did not help, so Buckell had his hip replaced before his 21st birthday. He called the operation life-changing, although he still feels muscle pain after running.
The race bib Buckell wore at the Melbourne Marathon Festival in 2016 is still kept on the wall of his childhood bedroom. According to the runner, the bib reminds him of his goal of returning to his desired level and testing his own abilities.
