Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora's devastating injury is revealed as guitarist says he has 'new lease of life'
Photos exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com show Sambora, celebrating his 66th birthday with a lavish trip to Hawaii, where he was seen golfing with his hand in a medical glove.
The surgery took place a week after the Kentucky Derby where he was photographed with a noticeably swollen hand during his set at the Unbridled Derby Eve Gala in Louisville, Kentucky.
Now sources have revealed that the swelling was caused by a double fracture but said the rocker put off the surgery in order to meet his obligations to sing at the show.
'He was in immense pain,' the insider told DailyMail.com. 'But he'd made a commitment to be there and play four songs.
'The fractures were diagnosed before the gala and the doctor thought he was crazy to go ahead but he insisted.'
The insider added: 'He took the surgery really seriously and has followed doctors' orders throughout the whole thing. Now he's feeling better than ever.
The event, which traditionally takes place the night before the Kentucky Derby, is a charity fundraiser that racing fan Sambora has made a habit of performing at.
Along with singing at the gala – where he played a medley of Bon Jovi tunes including mega-hit Dead or Alive - the 65-year-old also donated a guitar to be auctioned off on behalf of Blessings in a Backpack – an organization that provides meals to children in need.
Sambora's guitar – which is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos – was personally designed by the 66-year-old rocker in collaboration with Kantor Guitars.
Along with showing up for the gala, the rocker also put in an appearance at the race itself and had a runner named Hope Road running in the Derby City Distaff Stakes where the four-year-old filly placed second.
According to a source close to the veteran rockstar, Sambora's decision to delay surgery meant doctors were forced to re-break his hand and re-set it – a process the insider described as 'gnarly'.
Making it more challenging was Sambora's studio commitments which meant having to record new single Born To Rock while in a lot of pain.
But, the source said, Sambora has been utterly focused on getting back to full fitness and is now on the mend.
'He's been so driven about it and totally on the straight and narrow. He's responded so well and he's been so motivated – it really sparked a new lease of life.'
Sambora shot to fame in 1983 as the lead guitarist in mega-band Bon Jovi and co-wrote monster hits Livin on a Prayer and You Give Love A Bad Name with singer Jon Bon Jovi.
He later became part of a Hollywood power couple when he married Melrose Place star Heather Locklear, 63, in 1994 – a year after her divorce from Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.
Although the couple divorced in 2007, the pair had one daughter Ava, now 27, together and remain close friends.
Ava later played a part in Sambora's decision to quit Bon Jovi in 2013 with sources telling DailyMail.com he made the decision because 'his daughter needed him'.
That, however, hasn't prevented Sambora from continuing to perform solo – most recently when he made a surprise appearance at the Rock the Responders concert in Los Angeles in February.
The gig, which took place in front of the USS Iowa battleship in Long Beach, was staged by the Kings of Chaos – an international super-group with an evolving line-up that previously included Aerosmith's Steve Tyler and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.
Performers on the night included Sambora's Bon Jovi replacement Phil X – real name Theofilos Xenidis – and Deep Purple's Glen Hughes, as well as Sambora who played mega-hit Livin on a Prayer.
The event was designed to raise funds for the LA Disaster Recovery and Resilience Collective – a non-profit that supports disaster recovery efforts in wildfire-ravaged LA.
Although a New Jersey native, Sambora has lived in or around LA for nearly 40 years and currently resides in a lavish $32m mansion in upscale Laguna Beach in neighboring Orange County.
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