http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...ng-weight-of-franchise-acl-mcl-surgery-011013
UPDATED JAN 10, 2013 5:45 PM ET
Dr. Mark Adickes is a Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon who performed surgery on Robert Griffin III to repair a torn ACL in 2009. He is also a former NFL offensive lineman, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and winning a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.
I hurt for Robert Griffin III. I’ve felt that pain as an NFL player, and I know RG3’s pain in a way most don’t because I was his surgeon when his ACL burst his sophomore year at Baylor.
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The surgery that Dr. James Andrews performed was a repair of his LCL, a revision reconstruction of his ACL and a repair of his medial meniscus. All three surgeries are significant when done alone. When done together, they comprise a major surgery that leads to an extremely painful and arduous recovery.
Because Robert’s patellar tendon in his right knee was used to perform his initial ACL reconstruction the patellar tendon in his uninjured left knee had to be used to create a new ACL. This means the pain he will have to withstand will be doubled and nearly equal for both knees. Although fully informed prior to surgery, he was hopeful that a lesser procedure would be sufficient to allow him to recover.
His parents told me that upon awakening, feeling the searing pain in both knees, he was immediately alerted to the extent of his injury and the magnitude of his surgery. The disappointment had to be immense.
The recovery from an LCL repair and meniscus repair is four to six months, and the recovery from a revision ACL reconstruction is six to eight months. He will have to rehab his left knee as well because of the patellar tendon graft harvested from that site. When rehabbing his right knee after the initial ACL reconstruction, which I performed in 2009, the physical therapists and athletic trainers spent the bulk of their time trying to slow Robert down.
The work ethic, determination and drive that he has will make regaining his strength a non-issue. He could realistically be ready for the regular-season opener, but I’m sure a conservative approach will be employed when determining the timing for his return to play.
I have little doubt that when Robert Griffin III steps back onto the field, his level of play will be unchanged from what became accustomed to seeing during his rookie campaign, but perhaps he will stay in the pocket more often. This season, he led the Redskins to their first NFC East title in 13 years and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He is also deserving of being named Rookie of the Year. Next season, I would not be surprised if he is named Comeback Player of the Year and leads his team to the Super Bowl.
This is a man who will once again comfortably carry the weight of the franchise.
More at the link above.
UPDATED JAN 10, 2013 5:45 PM ET
Dr. Mark Adickes is a Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon who performed surgery on Robert Griffin III to repair a torn ACL in 2009. He is also a former NFL offensive lineman, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and winning a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.
I hurt for Robert Griffin III. I’ve felt that pain as an NFL player, and I know RG3’s pain in a way most don’t because I was his surgeon when his ACL burst his sophomore year at Baylor.
...
The surgery that Dr. James Andrews performed was a repair of his LCL, a revision reconstruction of his ACL and a repair of his medial meniscus. All three surgeries are significant when done alone. When done together, they comprise a major surgery that leads to an extremely painful and arduous recovery.
Because Robert’s patellar tendon in his right knee was used to perform his initial ACL reconstruction the patellar tendon in his uninjured left knee had to be used to create a new ACL. This means the pain he will have to withstand will be doubled and nearly equal for both knees. Although fully informed prior to surgery, he was hopeful that a lesser procedure would be sufficient to allow him to recover.
His parents told me that upon awakening, feeling the searing pain in both knees, he was immediately alerted to the extent of his injury and the magnitude of his surgery. The disappointment had to be immense.
The recovery from an LCL repair and meniscus repair is four to six months, and the recovery from a revision ACL reconstruction is six to eight months. He will have to rehab his left knee as well because of the patellar tendon graft harvested from that site. When rehabbing his right knee after the initial ACL reconstruction, which I performed in 2009, the physical therapists and athletic trainers spent the bulk of their time trying to slow Robert down.
The work ethic, determination and drive that he has will make regaining his strength a non-issue. He could realistically be ready for the regular-season opener, but I’m sure a conservative approach will be employed when determining the timing for his return to play.
I have little doubt that when Robert Griffin III steps back onto the field, his level of play will be unchanged from what became accustomed to seeing during his rookie campaign, but perhaps he will stay in the pocket more often. This season, he led the Redskins to their first NFC East title in 13 years and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He is also deserving of being named Rookie of the Year. Next season, I would not be surprised if he is named Comeback Player of the Year and leads his team to the Super Bowl.
This is a man who will once again comfortably carry the weight of the franchise.
More at the link above.