How a blister turned into three bouts of knee surgery for St Kilda’s Paddy Dow

St Kilda midfielder Paddy Dow was struck down by a bizarre injury in December.

AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich reported on Friday morning that Dow, 25, spent almost three weeks in hospital over Christmas because of a nasty infection which required multiple knee surgeries.

“A really traumatic story, this one,” Gabelich said on SEN Breakfast.

“I found at that he spent his entire Christmas break in hospital due to an infection that was from a blister in his foot that required three rounds of knee surgery.

“It is quite complex. This is unusual to come from a blister, not many have heard of it happening.

“On December 18 St Kilda goes on leave, the next morning he wakes up, he’s not feeling well, he’s got a fever, his knee is super swollen.”

Next thing he knew Dow was in the emergency department at the Epworth Hospital undergoing surgery.

Saints coach Ross Lyon also spent two hours with Dow on Christmas Day to show his support.

The former Carlton player is expected to play footy in 2025, but the Saints are taking a cautious approach.

Listen to Gabelich explain the bizarre Dow situation below: