American Leg of 360 Tour Cancelled

There were a couple of updates on u2.com today regarding Bono's injury and the tour.  The first 2010 leg in North America has been postponed, and the dates will be re-scheduled at some point in the future.  The Glastonbury appearance has been cancelled.  The other update - quoted below - included more details of Bono's problems.

Bono has now been discharged from Ludwig Maximilians-University (LMU) Hospital in Munich where he underwent emergency surgery on Friday, following a back injury. In order to fully recover, he is under doctor's orders to start a rehabilitation program and to recuperate for at least eight weeks.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt confirmed, 'Bono suffered severe compression of the sciatic nerve. On review of his MRI scan, I realized there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich's LMU University Hospital on Friday.'

Professor Tonn, who carried out the operation, added, 'Bono was referred to me by Dr Muller Wohlfahrt late last week with a sudden onset disease. He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis in the lower leg. The ligament surrounding the disc had an 8mm tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had traveled into the spinal canal. This surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation'.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt continued, 'We are treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes and while the surgery has gone very well, the coming weeks are crucial for a return to full health. In the next days, he will start a light rehabilitation program, with increasing intensity over the next 8 weeks. In our experience, this is the minimum time.'


So it was certainly a major injury, mention of partial paralysis is scary, but it seems the operation was a success.  With eight weeks being the minimum recovery time it wouldn't surprise me if the European leg is cancelled too as the start of it falls just two weeks beyond that timescale.

It's a shame for fans who now will not be able to see the band in North America, but Bono's health is the main thing, he needs to take care of himself for a while.  I'm sure he is gutted about it all, he's a guy who drags himself onstage if he's not well and keeps going.  But he is only human and sometimes things like this come along.  I know if the European dates are postponed I will be disappointed, but I would not want Bono to risk his health in the slightest, time will tell what happens on that score.

Maybe though something good could come out of this, Bono will have to take it easy for a few weeks, this is a chance for him to do some writing and as he must be quite emotional about it all he might come up with something special.  I always think creative people are more productive when things are not going too well for them in some way.  The band could also do some recording, so maybe we'll get a new album earlier.  Sometimes bad things end up having positive sides to them.

Take care Bono, don't rush to get back to full steam, rest and regain your health in it's own time.