The Washington Wizards’ John Wall expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing a procedure on his knee.
On Tuesday, Candace Buckner of the Washington Post reported that the Washington Wizards’ John Wall will undergo an arthroscopy debridement procedure on his left knee. He’s expected to miss six to eight weeks for post-operative recovery.
According to Massachusetts General Hospital:
"‘Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. The surgeon will make a small incision and insert pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify the structures inside the joint. By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature camera, the doctor is able to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than the large incision needed for conventional “open” surgery.’"
In May 2016, the All-Star point guard had double-knee surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He will be returning to Cleveland for the planned procedure on Wednesday. .
The procedure is also known as scoping the knee. The surgeon is normally looking for any loose bodies or fragments to be cleaned out.
Wall injured his right knee in a matchup against the Mavericks. However, throughout the season it was clear that his knees were bothering him.
Earlier in the season he received IV fluids before a game for a cold and dehydration. His left knee would later swell. Unfortunately, there was some misinformation because IVs wouldn’t cause fluid buildup in a knee.
One cause for fluid buildup in a knee is an infection that could develop years after surgery. Either way, whatever the reason for Wall’s ailment, the competitor that he is should return as good as new.
He will also miss the All-Star game, but that’s the least of his worries.
Without Wall, the Wizards will have to play next man up at a very high level. Tomas Satoransky will fill in for Wall. While Tim Frazier should get some more minutes as backup.
The Wizards season is not over just because Wall is out. Washington can make some moves at the trade deadline, or they can go into the postseason with the team they have.
However, winning isn’t everything—one’s health is.