Joel Embiid has minor surgery to address torn meniscus
Joel Embiid underwent surgery earlier today to address the torn meniscus in his left knee, according to a press release sent out by the team.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Dr. Jonathan Glashow, the Sixers Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Christopher Dodson, the team’s Head Physician, were also in attendance.
Embiid’s recovery timeline targets a return to full weight-bearing in approximately two weeks, according to the team.
The initial phase of Embiid’s rehab will be conducted in Los Angeles.
“The overall status of Joel’s lateral meniscus and his cartilage is very good. Today’s procedure focused on removing a small portion of the meniscus that was responsible for his symptoms,” Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache said in the press release sent out by the team. “The recovery program that has been established targets Joel transitioning back to full weight-bearing in approximately two weeks, at which point a conservative approach to his rehabilitation will be introduced.”
The Sixers expect that Embiid will resume basketball activities this summer.
“Based on the program that has been outlined, we will continually evaluate Joel’s progress against predetermined benchmarks and anticipate he will resume basketball activities this summer,” said Dr. David T. Martin, the Sixers’ Director of Performance Research and Development.
Embiid hasn’t played since appearing in a nationally televised game on January 27th against the Houston Rockets, a week after initially suffering a bone bruise in his left knee against the Portland Trailblazers. It was later revealed that Embiid had a meniscus tear in that same knee, although it was initially not believed to be the cause of his pain and swelling. The team finally shut Embiid down for the year on March 1st because of swelling caused by the meniscus tear.
Embiid averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 2.1 assists in 31 appearances in his rookie season.
The full press release is included below.
76ers Press Release on Joel Embiid’s surgery
March 24th, 2017
Today, Sixers center Joel Embiid underwent successful minor arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscus tear in his left knee. The surgery was performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, in conjunction with Sixers Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jonathan Glashow and Sixers Head Physician Dr. Christopher Dodson.
Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache, M.D.:
“The overall status of Joel’s lateral meniscus and his cartilage is very good. Today’s procedure focused on removing a small portion of the meniscus that was responsible for his symptoms. The recovery program that has been established targets Joel transitioning back to full weight-bearing in approximately two weeks, at which point a conservative approach to his rehabilitation will be introduced.”Sixers Director Of Performance Research & Development Dr. David T. Martin:
“Joel will complete his initial rehabilitation in Los Angeles, with specialists and our medical and training staff committed to a conservative and measured rehabilitation and recovery plan.
“Based on the program that has been outlined, we will continually evaluate Joel’s progress against predetermined benchmarks and anticipate he will resume basketball activities this summer.”Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo:
“Joel, his representatives and our medical staff conducted extensive research based on prioritizing the best possible treatment and recovery outcome for Joel’s knee injury resulting in today’s procedure by Dr. ElAttrache. We are very pleased with his post-surgical assessment and forecast for a healthy return to basketball activity.”
