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dfchang813 Star Player
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 1508
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject: Dwight's Back, General Info (Great Recap of Interview w/Dr. Klapper on ESPN 710) |
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Just listened to Dr. Robert Klapper, chief of orthopedic surgery at Cedar Sinai and ESPN 710's resident expert.
Some highlights:
1. From an orthopedic surgery standpoint he would much rather have Dwight's back than Andrew's knees.
2. The knees have a much more "chronic injury" issue than Dwight's back which is an "acute injury" that can be repaired with very little sequelae.
3. After surgery, you can't play basketball and engage in any heavy physical activity for 4 months.
Why?
Because the injury is a disc herniation: a small amount of the nucleus pulposus or the "shock absorber" of the disc got squeezed out. It is a VERY SMALL amount. You get rid of the "squirted out" material with a 1 inch incision under a microscope.
There is a 5-10 percent chance that returning to physical activity too early could herniate more material. That's obviously not good because you've reherniated the disc and have to remove more of the extruded disc.
Bear in mind that Dwight was fully recovered, pain free, and ready to work out probably a few weeks after surgery (it is only 1 inch incision after all). BUT returning to physical activity too early gets you that 5-10 percent chance. Keep in mind that means there is a 90 to 95% chance that if he came back after only a month or so he would be fine.
But he is Dwight Howard and so they are being super, super cautious.
4. He had surgery 04/20/2012 which means he should be able to resume training, weights, basketball activity, etc around 08/20/2012 if everything goes according to schedule and he feels no pain, etc.
5. Per Dr. Klapper, based on that schedule Dwight should be ready for opening night (10/30/2012). He'll have 2 months to get his conditioning back. Again assuming he recovers as expected and at his age and conditioning there should be NO REASON for any setbacks.
6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc.
7. By way, reading some medical papers addressing the effects of laminectomy on NBA athletes, those papers support Dr. Klapper's assertion that Dwight should be back as good as new.
8. That should answer the question why teams are still willing to kill themselves to get Dwight Howard despite this "back injury" issue. It's a non-issue moving forward. Also why he and his agent are very comfortable not extending and waiting for the end of the season to sign a new max contract. They know, all-world BEAST 3x DPOY Howard is coming back this year. With Stephen A interview, Dwight pointed out that he absolutely felt he could have won a 4th straight DPOY if he had been fully healthy. He's ready to come back and remind everyone who he is on the basketball floor. Trust me, he may be smiling but this whole Dwightmare did affect him and he's going to playing with an edge, especially on defense.
The most dominant defensive force in the NBA basically feels disrespected and the league has NO IDEA what is coming down on them from the 5 slot.
Summary: If everything goes according to schedule, we should hear something by the end of August that Dwight is starting to work out again on the court, lifting, running etc.
Chances are good that he'll be ready for the start of the season.
Chances overwhelmingly good that there will be no lasting effect from this particular injury.
Final point: He played with a lot of pain and discomfort when the incompetent, dumbass Magic medical staff misdiagnosed with "back spasms." He said it was more pain than he had ever experienced since he was in the league.
That's why the thing that hurt him personally the most in the media was that he was faking an injury and quitting on his team. He put up All-Star numbers last year playing with a herniated disc.
When I think of Bynum taking plays and games off and openly admitting it while Dwight is still putting up the numbers he did with an injury that ultimately required surgery and in a toxic, destructive environment . . . I think there is no doubt the sort of heart and work ethic Dwight is going to bring to our team.
Hope all of this is a bit reassuring. |
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Krispy Kreme Franchise Player
Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 12252
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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i just hope the same "doctors" that "helped" karl malone, don't touch dwight howard _________________ Dominating every day. |
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UAdevil Sixth Man
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 92
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Surgery? He should have just gone with acupuncture. |
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thurloly Franchise Player
Joined: 14 Nov 2008 Posts: 23930
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Really nice read!
Thanks for the info.
Too excited and can't wait to watch this new team now more than ever! |
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dood23 Franchise Player
Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 12084
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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Just come back healthy _________________ "There's only 2 dudes better than me, and I'm BOTH OF THEM." |
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Voices Star Player
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 8287 Location: Oxnard, Ca.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc. _________________ .....
.....
ALTHOUGH HE STANDS 6 FEET 2 INCHES, JIM BUSS ATTENDED JOCKEY SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS 20. |
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Mr. Zero Star Player
Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 3626 Location: Valencia, CA
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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Missed it. Thanks for the recap. _________________ Phil Luke |
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City_Dawg Retired Number
Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 46878 Location: Coming soon and striking at your borders.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Dwight's Back, General Info |
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dfchang813 wrote: |
4. He had surgery 04/20/2012
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Oh, well then he got the best kind of treatment possible. _________________ *sighs*
!... |
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shaqobe2000 Star Player
Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Posts: 1899
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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LOL at comments on Bynum's knee |
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BlakeJay Star Player
Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 1269
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Dwight's Back, General Info |
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City_Dawg wrote: | dfchang813 wrote: |
4. He had surgery 04/20/2012
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Oh, well then he got the best kind of treatment possible. |
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12 Star Player
Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 8617
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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thurloly wrote: | Really nice read!
Thanks for the info.
Too excited and can't wait to watch this new team now more than ever! |
+1 |
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ForrestHump Star Player
Joined: 05 Mar 2012 Posts: 8713
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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This is what I've been talking about every since he LA rumors in the summer came back up, I told my fellow Laker fans that he will be fine once he finishes rehabbing.
Dwight has been taking things VERY SLOWLY, his injury is nothing big but it has that small chance of coming back IF not treated right.
Let's not forget this is the 21st century, there are hundreds of millions at stake. _________________
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Balki Bartokomous Star Player
Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 4085 Location: North LA County
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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EFF YOU BRENDAN HAYWOOD WITH THAT BUSH LEAGUE CRAP !!!! _________________ "Now we're so happy we do the dance of joy." |
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32 Retired Number
Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 73040
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks dfchang813. _________________ Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.
Last edited by 32 on Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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enemy_territory Starting Rotation
Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Posts: 698 Location: Miami,FL
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Hey dfchang do you know how many of his discs were herniated and where along the spine they were located? _________________ Rob Lowe
Also good to know that #NBA commissioner #DavidStern is against the free market. Hey Dave, move to China. #Lakers |
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oldschool32 Franchise Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 20032
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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Voices wrote: | 6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc. |
This concerns me a little bit. I'm sure he will be fine, but back pain doesn't just go away with surgery. Its alleviated, but it isn't 100% gone. Saying that he will not feel the same, but will still play the same is somewhat of a contradiction imo. Hope he takes all the time he needs and gets that back 110% before coming back. _________________ "It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."-The Greatest |
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1hu2ren3dui4 Franchise Player
Joined: 19 Jul 2002 Posts: 15403 Location: Oak Park
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for that great recap. I wasn't sure where the doctor was talking and where you were interjecting your thoughts but it was a very informative post. Thanks. _________________ -Most people learn by saying mother, numb, horse, angry... I learned mine by saying Lakers, add gas. - HRD. |
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GoldenThroat Moderator
Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 37474
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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I listened to the interview as well, and that's a phenomenal recap. Great stuff. Thank you. |
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markjay Star Player
Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 3913 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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Great info. Thanks.
I am so glad that we have both Jamison and Hill signed. That means there will be no need for Dwight to rush back to play heavy minutes early on. |
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ForrestHump Star Player
Joined: 05 Mar 2012 Posts: 8713
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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oldschool32 wrote: | Voices wrote: | 6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc. |
This concerns me a little bit. I'm sure he will be fine, but back pain doesn't just go away with surgery. Its alleviated, but it isn't 100% gone. Saying that he will not feel the same, but will still play the same is somewhat of a contradiction imo. Hope he takes all the time he needs and gets that back 110% before coming back. |
I'm pretty sure it means his body will need some time to adjust.
Hell, I broke a finger playing basketball (I guess not that big of a deal) and it took me 3 months to get back in rhythm (jumper, dribble).
Finger looks worse than Kobe's, I can only move it half way _________________
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Texas_Pete Franchise Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 12822 Location: Somewhere watching a Laker game
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks OP. This thread should be stickied for Laker fans like me who don't get the 411 like SoCal Laker fans. This is very reassuring indeed. |
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GoldenThroat Moderator
Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 37474
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Texas_Pete wrote: | Thanks OP. This thread should be stickied for Laker fans like me who don't get the 411 like SoCal Laker fans. This is very reassuring indeed. |
Good idea. |
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JIFISH Star Player
Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 9315 Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Can Dwight park in the handicap spaces until his back is fully rehabbed? _________________ I would rather have questions I cannot answer than answers I cannot question - Richard Feynman |
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postandpivot Retired Number
Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 36822
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Dwight's Back, General Info (Great Recap of Interview w/Dr. Klapper on ESPN 710) |
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dfchang813 wrote: | Just listened to Dr. Robert Klapper, chief of orthopedic surgery at Cedar Sinai and ESPN 710's resident expert.
Some highlights:
1. From an orthopedic surgery standpoint he would much rather have Dwight's back than Andrew's knees.
2. The knees have a much more "chronic injury" issue than Dwight's back which is an "acute injury" that can be repaired with very little sequelae.
3. After surgery, you can't play basketball and engage in any heavy physical activity for 4 months.
Why?
Because the injury is a disc herniation: a small amount of the nucleus pulposus or the "shock absorber" of the disc got squeezed out. It is a VERY SMALL amount. You get rid of the "squirted out" material with a 1 inch incision under a microscope.
There is a 5-10 percent chance that returning to physical activity too early could herniate more material. That's obviously not good because you've reherniated the disc and have to remove more of the extruded disc.
Bear in mind that Dwight was fully recovered, pain free, and ready to work out probably a few weeks after surgery (it is only 1 inch incision after all). BUT returning to physical activity too early gets you that 5-10 percent chance. Keep in mind that means there is a 90 to 95% chance that if he came back after only a month or so he would be fine.
But he is Dwight Howard and so they are being super, super cautious.
4. He had surgery 04/20/2012 which means he should be able to resume training, weights, basketball activity, etc around 08/20/2012 if everything goes according to schedule and he feels no pain, etc.
5. Per Dr. Klapper, based on that schedule Dwight should be ready for opening night (10/30/2012). He'll have 2 months to get his conditioning back. Again assuming he recovers as expected and at his age and conditioning there should be NO REASON for any setbacks.
6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc.
7. By way, reading some medical papers addressing the effects of laminectomy on NBA athletes, those papers support Dr. Klapper's assertion that Dwight should be back as good as new.
8. That should answer the question why teams are still willing to kill themselves to get Dwight Howard despite this "back injury" issue. It's a non-issue moving forward. Also why he and his agent are very comfortable not extending and waiting for the end of the season to sign a new max contract. They know, all-world BEAST 3x DPOY Howard is coming back this year. With Stephen A interview, Dwight pointed out that he absolutely felt he could have won a 4th straight DPOY if he had been fully healthy. He's ready to come back and remind everyone who he is on the basketball floor. Trust me, he may be smiling but this whole Dwightmare did affect him and he's going to playing with an edge, especially on defense.
The most dominant defensive force in the NBA basically feels disrespected and the league has NO IDEA what is coming down on them from the 5 slot.
Summary: If everything goes according to schedule, we should hear something by the end of August that Dwight is starting to work out again on the court, lifting, running etc.
Chances are good that he'll be ready for the start of the season.
Chances overwhelmingly good that there will be no lasting effect from this particular injury.
Final point: He played with a lot of pain and discomfort when the incompetent, dumbass Magic medical staff misdiagnosed with "back spasms." He said it was more pain than he had ever experienced since he was in the league.
That's why the thing that hurt him personally the most in the media was that he was faking an injury and quitting on his team. He put up All-Star numbers last year playing with a herniated disc.
When I think of Bynum taking plays and games off and openly admitting it while Dwight is still putting up the numbers he did with an injury that ultimately required surgery and in a toxic, destructive environment . . . I think there is no doubt the sort of heart and work ethic Dwight is going to bring to our team.
Hope all of this is a bit reassuring. | wow good post until the last part. why is bynum hunting your dreams? because he admitted when he needed to play better instead of giving the same boring non answers like every bball player. lol.
bynum helped win you a ship ON ONE LEG. NEVER forget that. no matter how IN LOVE with dwight you become. give the kid his due. he did that on one leg. he didnt have to. he could've shut it down like most guys would've done. respect him for that.
and i heard both good doctors today on the radio on my way to home depot. so i can vouch for this rehash. _________________ LAL4K3RS wrote: He(Kobe) is the white haired kung fu master that you realize is older than dirt but can still kick your arse when in a sitting position drinking a nice herbal tea.
Last edited by postandpivot on Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Atticus Star Player
Joined: 11 Nov 2011 Posts: 2557
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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oldschool32 wrote: | Voices wrote: | 6. Dwight will ALWAYS know he had surgery, he'll ALWAYS feel just a little different. That's unavoidable. BUT that feeling doesn't affect his ability to do what he needs to do. Per Dr. Klapper as fans we should be able to tell NO DIFFERENCE in the way he plays. He should have essentially NO difference in his skills, athleticism, etc. |
This concerns me a little bit. I'm sure he will be fine, but back pain doesn't just go away with surgery. Its alleviated, but it isn't 100% gone. Saying that he will not feel the same, but will still play the same is somewhat of a contradiction imo. Hope he takes all the time he needs and gets that back 110% before coming back. |
I don't think he meant it as "he will feel different = he will feel pain." I think he was referring to the psychological aspect of knowing that you've had an operation performed on you and how that might affect the way you feel about the situation mentally. It's why some guys come back from surgeries and rehab physically nearly identical to what they were pre-surgery, but feel different mentally knowing that they had a procedure done and so they may lack some previous explosiveness. |
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