Expert: 12-Week Recovery For Lopez Is 'Very Optimistic'
Dec 22, 2011 7:22 PM EST
Soon after the diagnosis of a stress fracture in Brook Lopez's right foot, which will require surgery on Friday, word began circulating of a recovery period that could be as short as four weeks. That timetable would put Lopez back on the court in plenty of time to showcase his health to the Magic.
But a medical expert guesses that due to his size, a 12-week timetable is more likely and says that estimate would actually be an "early" return.
"Biomechanics are such that with a bigger guy, the more pressure you put on it, the bone has to be more solid," said Dr. Victor Khabie, the chief of the department of surgery and sports medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital. "It may not make a difference in the healing, but it needs to be more fully healed before you let a 7-footer start jumping up and down on it."
"If I saw him as a patient, I would say: `Listen, hopefully, we'll get you back in three months.' I would say that would be a very optimistic type of call. This could be season-ending, potentially, seeing how short the (NBA) season is," said Dr. Khabie.
The Nets have a strong interest in getting Lopez back in action as soon as possible, since he will be a key part of any offer the Nets make to Orlando for Dwight Howard. Twelve weeks would put Lopez out until after the March 15 trade deadline.
Via NBA.com
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