An SB Nation article published January 10, 2014 details the return of a premiere NBA point guard after a major knee injury that struck him out of the game for a long time:
“Rajon Rondo is targeting Jan. 17 for his season debut, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. The Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers, who will be in the middle of a seven-game road trip. Rondo will have missed 40 games if he makes his return by the 17th.
Rondo had spoken to media earlier Friday and told reporters he intended to return before the All-Star game, but would not single out a specific date. A return on Jan. 17 is just under a month out from the All-Star Game. He underwent surgery on his right knee in February after tearing his ACL, and has been patient in his recovery. Rondo is concerned with his conditioning leading up to his return, stating he didn’t want his cardio fitness to hurt the team.”
The development shows how much sports medicine in Chattanooga and other locations in the United States have developed, and how these developments help athletes get back and play in the games that they have worked hard for.
Basketball is a sport that requires a lot of running, lateral movement, and jumping. The sport can easily put a lot of pressure on the knees. As the game continues to evolve and faster, lankier big men come into play, the importance of fast-paced defense will be ever more pressing.
Due to this direction the game is taking, professional basketball players are a lot more vulnerable to knee injuries. Derrick Rose, a household name in Chicago basketball, went down with a torn meniscus a few games after his successful return from an ACL tear on his other knee a few games back.
There are two prominent ways for recovering from an ACL tear; both Rondo and Rose underwent the blade and intensive rehabilitation to ensure that their knees are fully capable of handling the pressure of the game. There is also a non-invasive method of repairing the tear. The intention of the procedures is to help athletes, be it on the professional or collegiate level, to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Effective Chattanooga sports medicine can do a lot for basketball players. Basketball players injured by an ACL tear or a similar injury should consult experts like Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics to know their options.
(Article Excerpt and Image from Rajon Rondo targeting Jan. 17 season debut, according to report, SB Nation, January 10, 2014)