Montana Undergoes Surgery : No Details Are Given; Walsh Is Optimistic

San Francisco 49er quarterback Joe Montana underwent back surgery Monday, and it is not known whether he will be able to continue playing football.

“He did undergo surgery, and he is resting comfortably,” said St. Mary’s Hospital spokeswoman Bobbi Fischer, who refused to give any details of the operation.

It was reported, however, that the surgery involved cutting away a portion of the damaged disc that extended out from the spine, without the necessity of fusing the vertebrae.

Coach Bill Walsh of the 49ers said: “We understand it was a successful operation.

“There were less complications than they thought might have existed,” Walsh said. “We’re optimistic he’ll be back in football.”

The 49ers said reports on Montana’s condition would be issued from time to time.

On Sunday, the team’s orthopedic specialist, Dr. Michael Dillingham, said of the $1-million-a-year player: “There is a chance he won’t play football again. I think there is a general consensus that Joe will play again, but there is also the risk that even if the surgery is successful, it won’t relieve that pain.”

Montana, 30, has a history of back pain. The problem was aggravated during the first game of the season, while throwing a pass in the 49ers’ 31-7 victory over the Buccaneers, in which he completed 32 of 46 passes for 356 yards.

The 49ers lost Sunday, 16-13, to the Rams, with former Ram backup quarterback Jeff Kemp at the helm.

The operation involved the removal of portions of one and possibly two discs near the base of Montana’s spine.

Experts say such an operation involves several days in the hospital, six or eight weeks of recuperation and orders not to lift anything heavy for at least three months.

“I think we expect to face this entire season without Joe,” Walsh said.

Wide receiver Dwight Clark, one of Montana’s best friends, said that he thought it was a joke when Montana told him how badly his back was injured.

“At first I thought he was kidding, but he said, ‘This is serious,’ ” Clark said.

“Right now, I’m not worried about Joe Montana, the quarterback,” defensive back Ronnie Lott said. “I’m worried about Joe Montana, the person. Even as a teammate, you tend to be in awe of him and forget that he is a person, like you. He’s a good friend.”

Dr. Robert Gamburd, a team back specialist, said Montana would not be able to play without the operation.

“We discovered the herniated disc on Friday,” Gamburd said. “He made the decision to go ahead and have the surgery. He’s a very tough guy. He was very professional about it. He has been aware for a while that surgery might be a possibility. He is having this done because he wants to play pro football again.”