Injured Tom Delay to Put Foot to Test in Debut of Dancing With the Stars Premiere Toni...( LOS ANGELES Sept. 21 /- F...),Health

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Former House Majority leader Tom Delay, who injured his foot in rehearsals for Dancing With the Stars, will put it all on the line when he and dance partner Cheryl Burke, a two-time champion, make their season premiere debut Monday night on ABC television network.

Last week, Delay was treated by a team of physicians at D.I.S.C. Sports and Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif. headed by Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr., who was very matter-of-fact in terms of both the diagnosis and prognosis of further injury to Delay's foot.

"Mr. Delay was fortunate he did not suffer a complete fracture of the foot, which would have immediately ended his dancing days, before they had begun," said Dr. Bray, the CEO and Founder of D.I.S.C. "He suffered from a severe stress edema in the second and fourth metacarpal bones, which is a pre-fracture state. The treatment required relative immobilization and rest. Last week, he was placed in a rigid shoe immobilizer, to be worn whenever actual dancing shoes were not required.

"However, he realized the risk that by continuing to dance could lead to fracture and possible surgery. He said he accepted this risk and wished to dance with immobilization at all times possible that would allow him to continue the show. He is letting pain be his guide and so far feels better. If he sustains a full fracture his dancing would be abruptly halted."

Delay, who says he was feeling much better and having success with the immobilization of the foot with the special shoe and constant icing, was grateful to the medical team at D.I.S.C. for their care.

"In my greatest time of need, I found a savior of the foot in Dr. Bray's group," Delay said.

Also involved in the diagnosis and treatment plan for Delay were orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Bulczynski and Dr. Joseph Horrigan, the director o
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