UFC star Silva thanks fans after successful surgery

MANILA, Philippines -- Anderson Silva isn't about to sulk and allow his ego to be eaten by what many fans and fight pundits termed as a career ending injury.

For the first time since he broke his leg last Sunday in his second loss in a row to Chris Weidman, the 38-year old former UFC champion appeared on public via his Twitter account and managed to put on a big smile on his face.

I want to say thank you to all my fans and friends to support me at this moment,I wish a great and happy 2014 to all pic.twitter.com/nzhmvoNSca

— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) January 2, 2014

Filipino-American UFC fighter Brandon Vera immediately sent his message of support to Silva via his Twitter accound and Facebook page.

Godspeed and good vibes being sent your way for u and the family @andersonsilva ouss http://t.co/1roqLlbvXw

— Brandon Vera (@Verafied) January 2, 2014

Meanwhile, Dr. Steven Sanders, one of the doctors who did the surgery, explained the process Silva went through in an interview posted on UFC’s website.

“His surgery involved stabilization of his tibia bone with an intramedullary device that was placed into the bone beginning up at the knee and advancing down toward the ankle. Both bones were displaced or moved out from their normal alignment," Sanders told the UFC website.

The surgeon explained further that the said device (intramedullary rod) measuring 40 centimeters in length and 11.5 millimeters in diameter to fix Silva's tibia while two screws at the lower end of the nail and a single screw higher up at the knee will help prevent any type of rotation at the broken bone site.

Sanders also said that it would be best not to touch Silva's fibula.

"Fixing the fibula could possibly prevent or slow healing of the tibia. The fibula, even though it's not lined up can still heal on its own,” he said. “It is in Anderson's best interest not do another surgery (on his fibula) and induce more trauma at the time his fibula was fixed.”

It is not yet known at this time whether Silva can return to the octagon or call it quits.