He has a total rupture of his patella tendons.
Both sides understand the risks of total rupture.
The latest destruction symbolises a total rupture with the country's past and presumed future.
Now "hard" is used interchangeably with the idea of total rupture with no deal at all.
Then came total rupture, two conventions, two slates of officers, two balloon-blowing-up machines, two prospective presidential nominees.
To date, Dr. Murray has tried her gel only on partial tears, not the far more common total rupture.
And if that had been a total rupture in that as well, then that would have required surgery.
And in theory there is a position somewhere between total rupture and return to the bosom of Brussels.
"Total rupture of a left ankle ligament and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday," McIlroy said.
To prevent a total rupture, Britain should once again temporarily suspend home rule in Northern Ireland, as it now seems likely to do, to buy time for a more lasting solution.
McIlroy has not played since suffering a "total rupture" of ligaments in his left ankle during a game of football with friends on 4 July, an injury which ruled him out of the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational titles.
