September 30, 2006 (San Diego, Ca.) – On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Tour de France winner Floyd Landis underwent hip replacement surgery on his right hip in San Diego, CA. as reported on Landis’ web site. The 2-hour procedure performed by Dr. David Chao revealed greater damage than initial MRI screenings indicated but was successful without any complications. Chao operated on Landis’ two previous hip operations.

Landis has avascular necrosis from a crash in January 2003 while training. The condition decreased blood flow to his right femur causing progressively increasing pain as the hip joint deteriorated over time. He returned home the next morning and will soon start 6-weeks of physical therapy to increase hip movement and strength. Landis can begin low intensity training on his bicycle in one to two weeks.