Rucchin Takes First Step in Return From Infection

Center Steve Rucchin rode a stationary bicycle Monday, his first activity since the onset of a staph infection in his left ankle Dec. 27. The next step toward returning to the Duck lineup is skating later this week.

“It’s improved about 5,000%,” said Rucchin, the Ducks’ third-leading scorer with 23 points on seven goals and 16 assists. “I was pretty worried there for a while. It felt like I was going to have to have the leg amputated.”

Rucchin’s ankle gave him no trouble in the Ducks’ 1-0 victory Dec. 26 against the San Jose Sharks. But after the first period the next night in Edmonton, he experienced pain and swelling.

He believed he’d broken a bone. After his return home Dec. 30, it was determined that Rucchin had an infection.

Rucchin said team medical personnel wanted him hospitalized to better fight the infection, which spread to his knee by New Year’s Eve. He also had a fever. But Rucchin persuaded the doctors to let him rest at home.

“I was shocked at how bad it got,” he said. “It’s hard to understand how it could cause so much pain.”

Antibiotics and pain-killers have dramatically eased the swelling and pain in recent days.

Nobody is certain what caused the infection.

“The good thing is, it’s so much better,” Rucchin said. “It’s to the point where I can stand on it. I’m starting to get around better. It’s only been three or four days that I’ve been able to get around without crutches.”

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The Ducks hope to have center Antti Aalto back in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. He has been out since suffering a sprained left elbow Dec. 4 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Aalto participated in his first full-contact practice Monday and the medical staff is expected today to decide on his status for Wednesday.