Rusty Wright Sidelined After Undergoing Leg Surgery

Five-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Rusty Wright will be out for an extended period of time after undergoing surgery on his left leg.

Wright suffered a break in the leg in 2016, which required a rod and screws being put in to repair it. He said he hadn’t any problems with the leg until earlier this season. Wright told ProRodeo.com the persistent pain forced him to make the tough decision to undergo surgery and have the hardware removed on June 16.

“The rod had been giving me trouble since I broke my right leg last year, but I finally had it feeling good the last couple of months,” said Wright, 27. “Then we went on a little rodeo run last week and the pain really came back after the rides. It was an achy and throbbing pain that wouldn’t go away.

“It was taking all the joy and fun out of riding when I got off and couldn’t hardly walk. I figured it was time to get it taken care of. So, that way I can hopefully be pain free for the rest of my career instead of having to deal with it.”

Wright sits 29th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $22,214 won this season. He said the hope is to return to competition in a couple months and set himself up for the 2024 ProRodeo season.

“I’m going to take it pretty easy until I go back to the doctor at the end of the month. If I get the go ahead to start using it a little more then I’ll rehab it and take this opportunity to get my whole body in better shape,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be back before the season ends. I know it’ll probably be too late to make a run at the NFR this year, but my hope is that it can get my momentum going for next year.”

Courtesy of PRCA