David Beckham forced to undergo surgery after 'years of pain' as wife Victoria reacts

Sir David Beckham is recovering in hospital after the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder underwent surgery to fix an "unbearable" issue that first arose more than 20 years ago.

On Friday morning, the recently-knighted 50-year-old was pictured wearing a hospital gown after having an operation to treat a broken wrist that was sustained in a friendly between England and South Africa in 2003.

Beckham landed on his right wrist following a challenge by Thabang Molefe, but after trying to continue with his arm bandaged, he was eventually replaced by Jermaine Jenas just four minutes into the second half.

After the full-time whistle, Beckham was taken to a local hospital in Durban and it was widely reported that the midfielder had fractured the scaphoid bone located on the thumb side of the wrist.

But after being in 'years of pain' as a result of the old injury, it has emerged that a recent X-ray showed a screw used to mend the wrist, which should have dissolved, was actually embedded in his forearm.

Victoria posted the picture of husband David from his hospital bed. Image credit: Instagram/victoriabeckham

She also posted an image of the bracelet he was wearing. Instagram/victoriabeckham

A source told The Sun that Beckham had been pain for years but "thought nothing of it", adding: "He just kept going until, in recent months, it became quite unbearable.

“A routine scan showed that the pin which was meant to have dissolved, hadn’t - so he was booked into finally resolve the issue all these years later."

They added: "Victoria was at his bedside post op and all went well. He’s in great spirits.”

Victoria wished her husband a speedy recovery as she posted a picture of Beckham on her Instagram story. She wrote: "Get well soon daddy” before posting another snap of David's hand holding a bracelet with beads spelling out “Get well soon”.

Speaking to Men's Health, Beckham recently acknowledged that he has been forced to deal with the repercussions of a lengthy career in football.

“Certain parts of my body were a real mess,” he said. “Unfortunately, I did have a lot of injections and I don’t think it’s a good thing.”

That being said, the former Manchester United midfielder admitted in February that he was feeling on top form after suffering for a long time. "Do you know what, my body’s actually feeling better than it has done for a long time," he said.

"People ask where I feel it the most – is it my knees or my ankles? My achilles was a bad injury towards the end of my playing career but it never troubles me now, despite rupturing it."

Beckham added: "It’s actually my back and left hip that give me the most grief. I’ve had it X-rayed, MRI’d – it’s just wear and tear."