Via the Rockets: Yao underwent successful surgery today in order to repair a clean break of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot. The surgery was performed by Dr. Tom Clanton at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
Would make it a even better news if later we found out that somehow Yao has gained an extra 10 inches of vertical after the surgery.
Well, it really depends on who you ask. The Chinese say 3 months. The Rockets organization says 6 months. And Aries_Tim and his companies say (and hope) he is not going to recover and his career is done.
GREAT NEWS! Hope the big fella fully recovers to fulfill his destiny in giving H-town a championship! Oh well, I can dream a little.
One down, two to go. Who is next? Ryan Bowen for a torn ligament in his shooting hand or Juwan for a heart transplant?
LOL ... the news came directly to me from the Rockets - it was a medical advisory press release that I hand-type copied here. Maybe Yahoo! should have posted "[ClutchFans] Yao's surgery successful".
A relevant article concerning Yao's rehabilitaion. http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/020105aal.html Rehabilitation of a JONES Fracture in a Basketball Player Feb. 1, 2005 Dave Engelhardt, ATC Head Athletic Trainer Duke University The rehabilitation of a Jones fracture is a team effort. The team physician, physical therapist, athletic trainer and orthotist all play a critical role in the players return to competition. The goals of the rehabilitation program following surgery are: 1) Achieve full range of motion. 2) Restore the muscles of the lower leg to full strength. 3) Protect the healing bone during each stage of rehabilitation. 4) Maintain cardiovascular fitness during the rehabilitation process. The first three weeks post operatively the foot must be protected from re-injury. The athlete is on crutches and non-weight bearing. The athlete will also be in a lower leg/foot immobilizer for additional protection. During this time the athlete can maintain cardiovascular fitness by pedaling a bike with his arms on a daily basis. We also utilize the use of an ultrasonic bone stimulator each day following surgery. The player can continue to lift weights with his upper body and uninjured leg during this time. At about the third week following surgery, an x-ray is generally taken. This x-ray is taken to check screw placement and any early signs of callus formation over the fracture site. The fourth week following surgery marks a new stage in the rehabilitation program. Another x-ray is taken to confirm the extent of the healing process. In addition to the arm bike, the athlete can now ride a stationary bike while his foot is still in the immobilizer. The bone stimulator is continued to be used on a daily basis. Manual muscle resistance exercises are also started in the fourth week to help restore strength to the lower leg muscles. These exercises are done in the flexion (dorsi) and extension (plantar) planes only. No resistance is done in the side to side (inversion and eversion) planes. In preparation for coming out of the immobilizer, our orthotist takes a mold of the athlete's foot in order to make a series of custom inserts. Both orthotics and an external support will go around the athlete's foot. If the athlete is experiencing no pain during this week, full weight bearing in the immobilizer can take place. Following an x-ray at five weeks, the athlete is usually taken out of the immobilizer. At this point, callus formation across the fracture site should be evident. It is very important from this stage to make sure you protect the foot while increasing the athlete's activity and rehabilitation. The athlete is fitted with a shoe that has a very stiff insert glued in place. This allows the athlete to walk but still prevents excessive motion in his midfoot and forefoot areas. Manual resistance exercises in all planes are added and advanced during this week. The athlete continues to ride the stationary bike but cardiovascular pool workouts are added to the program. If available, light to moderate treadmill running can be added to the fitness program. Six weeks post-injury marks an increase in the activity level for the athlete. An x-ray is taken to check for fracture healing. During all phases of the rehabilitation program, the athlete's pain over the injured area dictates the level of activity. The athlete continues to lift, bike and work out in the pool. The player is fitted with a basketball shoe that has a less stiff insert in addition to the custom orthotic. Treadmill running can be gradually advanced until the person is running fully and without support. The athlete is also introduced to simulated jumping activity. This is done by the use of a "Schuttle MVP" machine. It allows the player to jump in a horizontal plane and thus not put as much pressure on the foot and ankle. During this week the player can begin basketball activity. Free throws, set shots and very easy jump shots around the basket are permitted. Full court running can be added to the on-court activities provided the athlete is not experiencing any pain. This is progressed to straight-ahead sprints, zig-zags, shuffle drills and vertical jumping drills. Week seven again starts with an x-ray. If the x-ray reveal continued callus formation and there is no pain, the exercise activity can continue to increase. A new basketball shoe with a less stiff insert is fitted along with the external support and orthotic. Court workouts are continued and increased. The player may be included in some light individual work with the coaches and running "5 on 0" plays with the team. If the player has no problems or pain during this stage he or she can be returned to full practice activity. This rehabilitation program is dependent on each individual's injury. It can be adjusted for each athlete's situation. It is important that all members of the sports medicine team are communicating and are in agreement with the program. Working together, the athlete can return to full competition in a six to eight week period. Good luck!
