The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a little more information about Tim's problems:
A doctorwho examined Goebel on Friday said that ill-fitting boots and blades had resulted in "multiple biomechanical changes" in the Olympic bronze medalist's body from his back to his hips to his feet.
"My body has realigend itself to the equipment it's on now, " Goebel said. "These are problems that are fixable. I have to go home and make the necessary changes."
That will included getting orthotics made and working with experts to alter his boots.
This kind of injury has happened before. I believe that this is what happened to Midori Ito and to Tiffany Chin. At least in the case of Midori, she came back from it. This is a warning to other skaters. If you are having problems, get checked at least once a month these biomechanical changes, because it is clear that boot problems can produce medical problems, and medical problems can mask boot problems. You need to know exactly where you are at all times, IMO.
My very best wishes to Tim. I want to see him skate that Queen program, which is primarily to "Who Wants to Live Forever?" perfectly some time.
It is amazing that with this many problems, and trust me, whenever he wasn't actually skating a section of program, he was flat footed and hurting, that I saw him land two 4t3t combinations, one 4t2t, one 3a2t3lp and one 3lp3lp in practice.
After Tim works through all this, if he can, I think his skating will actually improve. Last year Tim had none of these particular combinations. What a testament to his work ethic that he learned new skills in such a hard time.
Good luck and God bless, Timmy.
On another sad note, Yebin withdrew, citing lower back strain.
Frankly, I think that her recovery had not progressed far enough to allow her to compete yet, but the chance to keep a berth and support for the coming season was too strong, as is often the case for skaters.
dpp