Carrie Underwood 2017 Injury Recovery: Guide To Her Comeback
Uncover the story behind Carrie Underwood’s 2017 accident, her journey to healing, and her powerful return to the spotlight.
Image: HearthJunction Design Team
Carrie Underwood’s 2017 Injury: The Facts, the Recovery, and the Comeback
When country superstar Carrie Underwood suffered a traumatic fall at her Nashville home in late 2017, the headlines quickly spread—but few understood just how impactful the accident would be on her life and career. Below, we explore every aspect of Underwood’s injury, from the night it happened to her emotional return to the stage.
Table of Contents
- The Night of the Accident
- The Extent of Carrie’s Injuries
- The Recovery Process
- Coping with Public Attention
- Return to the Stage
- The Support System
- Her Message to Fans
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Night of the Accident
On November 10, 2017, just days after hosting the Country Music Association Awards, Carrie Underwood experienced a life-changing fall outside her home in Nashville. She was out walking her dogs when she tripped and fell down the steps, resulting in severe injuries that would keep her out of the spotlight for months.
- The incident happened at night, catching her completely off guard.
- She was rushed to the hospital, treated for a broken wrist and multiple cuts and abrasions.
- Her husband, Mike Fisher, traveled back to Nashville overnight to support her.
“Her recovery will take some time and she appreciates all prayers and well wishes,” Underwood’s representative said shortly after the accident.
The Extent of Carrie’s Injuries
The physical aftermath was serious. Carrie Underwood not only broke her wrist but also suffered significant facial injuries requiring surgery and dozens of stitches.
- Wrist Injury: Underwood’s wrist was broken and required surgical intervention. She later joked about ‘setting off airport metal detectors’ because of the metal inserted during the surgery.
- Facial Trauma: Perhaps the most shocking were the 40 to 50 stitches needed to repair her face. The extent of the facial lacerations was not immediately publicized, but Underwood later revealed that she had been worried about her appearance post-surgery.
- Cuts and Abrasions: In addition to the above, she was treated for numerous cuts and abrasions at the hospital before being released.
| Injury | Treatment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Broken wrist | Surgery and physical therapy | Almost full recovery, minor lasting effects |
| Facial cuts | 40-50 stitches, careful monitoring | Successful healing, minor scarring |
| Other abrasions | Hospital care | Fully healed |
Underwood candidly admitted the frustration of having a limb she couldn’t use, especially as an active performer and mother.
The Recovery Process
Recovery from such dramatic injuries is never fast or easy. Underwood’s journey involved both physical healing and emotional resilience.
- Underwood underwent wrist surgery just days after the accident and began physical therapy shortly after.
- It took several months before she felt confident enough about her appearance and strength to think about returning to public life and the stage.
- She described the healing process as both physically and mentally demanding, at times feeling uncertain about her future in the public eye.
What others are reading
“It set me back,” Underwood shared. “The most frustrating part was trying to work out with a broken wrist and how much it can throw off your world, having an appendage that’s there, but you can’t use.”
Despite these challenges, Underwood kept her fans updated through a combination of social media posts and messages via her fan club. She was open about not knowing exactly how she would heal or whether she would look the same again, admitting that she was nervous about appearing in public and even about ‘creeping out’ her son or others because of her visible scars.
Coping with Public Attention
For months, Underwood opted to keep a low profile on social media, often sharing photos that hid her face. She addressed her fan club directly, explaining that when she appeared in public again, she might look a little different.
- She covered her face in photos and avoided most public appearances during her initial recovery.
- The media and fans speculated about the extent of her injuries, with rumors swirling online about her appearance and health.
- Underwood decided to be upfront about her accident, explaining the truth so that fans wouldn’t be caught off guard when she reemerged.
Her decision to open up about the accident and recovery journey was both a means of protecting her privacy and helping others understand the emotional challenges that follow traumatic injuries, especially for public figures.
Return to the Stage
The anticipation surrounding Carrie Underwood’s return was immense for both her fans and the music industry. She ultimately took a significant hiatus, canceling her scheduled performance at the Country Rising benefit concert the weekend after her accident.
- Underwood’s first major public appearance happened on April 15, 2018, at the 53rd Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.
- She performed her single “Cry Pretty,” marking her return to the stage with a powerful, emotional rendition that left audiences in awe.
- Underwood later reflected that she was ‘90%’ recovered, with only slight physical limitations remaining in her wrist, according to updates she posted for her fans.
“I definitely feel more like myself than I have in a while. One of the silver linings for me in this healing process is the time I’ve gotten to spend with Mike and Isaiah. I’ve been calling it ‘forced relaxation.’” – Carrie Underwood
The Support System
Throughout her ordeal, Underwood leaned on a strong support network. Her husband, former NHL star Mike Fisher, was by her side immediately in the aftermath and throughout her recovery. The couple, married since 2010, share a son named Isaiah.
- Mike Fisher immediately returned to Nashville to be with her after her fall.
- Her gratitude extended to her family, friends, and medical staff, whom she credited for her success in healing.
- Underwood repeatedly thanked her fans for their patience, understanding, and support during her recovery.
The accident, while traumatic, brought the family closer together and reinforced the value of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
Her Message to Fans
From the very beginning, Carrie Underwood was transparent with her fans about the impact of her injuries. She thanked them via social media and her fan club for their ongoing support, assuring them that recovery would take time but that she was optimistic about the future.
- On social media, she wrote: “Thanks so much for all the well wishes everybody…I’ll be alright…might just take some time. Glad I’ve got the best hubby in the world to take care of me.”
References
- https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a63485508/carrie-underwood-injured-facts-2017/
- https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/20221111156768/carrie-carrie-underwood-accident-what-happened-to-face-agonizing-injury/
- https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/news-how-carrie-underwood-s-accident-happen-how-singer-healed-2017-fall
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps8szul5r9Y
- https://people.com/music/carrie-underwood-accident-recovery-whats-next/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
