When it was released that Derrick Rose suffered a torn meniscus I saw a lot of people comparing him to Metta World Peace and others comparing him to Russell Westbrook. There’s a big difference between the two and the implications for Rose are high as he makes his decision on surgery.
Metta World Peace opted to have his meniscus removed rather than repair it. Removal means a much quicker recovery as you saw MWP come back in 12 days. The problem with this option is the long term effects. Removal essentially shortens your career as you no longer have that cushion between the bones. Think Brandon Roy who had the same procedure. Roy later was plagued with constant knee injuries and had to retire twice. MWP on the otherhand is in the latter end of his career.
Russell Westbrook opted for a repair to the meniscus rather than removal. Westbrook suffered the injury in April of 2013 and returned to his first game in November. Like Rose, Westbrook is an explosive player who relies on athleticism and agility.
Rose is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday in Chicago and is faced with three options; removing the meniscus, trimming it which would get him back within a few months or reattaching it which would cost him the entire season and a rehab period of up to six months. Team reports say he is leaning towards repair surgery. A wise decision considering his young age and style of play. While Westbrook’s recovery lends hope, we have to remember that no two players are the same and Rose is also coming off an ACL tear in the other knee. Rose will have an extensive recovery not only physically but mentally as well.
There’s no set timetable for how long he’ll be out until the surgery is actually performed. So wait for word on Monday afternoon to evening, if the Bulls don’t elect to go the quiet route as they did with his ACL tear.
*UPDATE via ESPN*
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery Monday, the team announced.
The 2010-11 league MVP had the medial meniscus repaired in his right knee at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The surgery was to be performed by Dr. Brian Cole, who performed the ACL surgery on Rose’s left knee in May 2012.
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