Rodriguez’s surgery: What happens before and after
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 09, 2013 
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When Dr. Bryan Kelly explained Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury yesterday, the explanation took more than a half hour and could have gone much longer. I didn’t come close to transcribing everything the doctor said, and I still have a file of well over 3,000 words. It’s a lot to take in, and that’s simply scratching the surface.
Last night, I tried to explain the basics of the injury itself — what happened and what it means — but that left out a lot of what Dr. Kelly had to say. Here are two key points that he seemed to focus on: The pre-hab and the rehab.
What’s happening before the surgery
Obviously there’s a reason Rodriguez hasn’t had the surgery yet. Most of Dr. Kelly’s explanation for the wait matched everything we’ve heard before — need to strengthen the area, want to get the inflammation out, by strengthening now the rehab process will be quicker — but Dr. Kelly also brought up something I hadn’t considered.
The right hip seems fine, and the doctors want to keep it that way.
“Alex’s case is complicated by the fact he has a (right) hip that’s already undergone surgery which has been successful,” Dr. Kelly said. “During the post-operative period of time, immediately post-operatively, he’s going to have to really rely on his right hip because there’s a period of protected weight bearing that can last anywhere from 10 days to four weeks depending on how strong the muscle is going into it. Want to minimize the amount of time he has to spend relying on his right hip, because the last thing we want to do is compromise the thus far successfully repaired right hip because we prematurely operated on the left side. He’s got a lot of complicating factors that make timing an issue.”
What’s going to happen after the surgery
Dr. Kelly outlined several reasons this surgery is different from many others — most of them because of the unique nature of the hip muscle itself — but among those differences is this one: In theory, Dr. Kelly is actually going to make Rodriguez’s hip able to do things it couldn’t do originally. By reshaping the hip bone, doctors will actually add range of motion that didn’t exist when the bone was misshapen.
“When we improve that motion arc, we help the joint in terms of providing clearance, but there’s an accommodation phase that has to occur for the muscles to allow them to become reeducated to this new motion arc,” Dr. Kelly said. “Fortunately, muscles have a degree of compliance that allows them to stretch and be flexible, and it happens over time. … We’re literally trying to increase range of motion, so this requires a tremendous amount of muscle reeducation post-operative, that is very different from traditional rehab, and in that respect, the rehab component of this is really critical.”
Dr. Kelly outlined a rehab schedule that includes roughly six weeks of healing, followed by an “early strengthening phase.” It’s not until three months after surgery that Rodriguez can begin his true strengthening phase, and it’s only after he builds strength that he can begin to build endurance. After he builds endurance, Rodriguez can begin what Dr. Kelly calls, “the coordination phase… (which is) the functional return to the sport.”
Associated Press photos
Would really like to understand the reshaping process – I would have assumed that reshaping would do too much damage to cartilage to allow him to play afterwards. I wonder why they didn’t do any reshaping to his other hip (presumably because that was a smaller and less invasive surgery).
Does this Dr do body work on cars? I’ve got a V-Dub that could use some fender work.
Against All Odds January 9th, 2013 at 11:15 am
blake January 9th, 2013 at 11:06 am
“C’mon Blake we all know the steroid era started with Canseco in the mid 80s.”
we really don’t know anything…..that’s when we think rampant use started but we have no idea.
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I was being sarcastic..
The story on AROD is pretty simple. He can reasonably be expected back this year if he doesn’t have significant cartilage damage which the doctor said would be irreparable. The doctor is hopeful he does not but will not know until he is opened up. If he has the significant cartilage damage, AROD may well be permanently unable to return or only return on a limited basis.
We won’t know until after surgery.
Rich in NJ January 9th, 2013 at 11:12 am
What about the steroid users we don’t know about? That’s the problem. Even if you want to ban users, players are going to get in who used; it’s unavoidable. So any attempt to draw a bright line would be difficult.
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“We can’t make it perfect so screw it, just totally ignore the issue” is not a good plan.
We shouldn’t not vote for Bonds because Biggio could have used and may get in? I’m supposed to feel sorry for Bonds if that happens?
Bonds admitted to a Grand Jury he used. NO HOF.
“I’m holding you to what you say, and it’s obvious you like Jello.”
no you’re taking every word I say literally to be obtuse.
“I was being sarcastic..”
my bad
the whole sarcasm tone is tough in text
Biggio to me is a lot like Molitor. Very good players, that played a Very long time, and accumulated Very good numbers. That don’t cut it.
Oh no, they have given Youkilis Freddy Garcia’s old number. The lack of respect.
The entire number thing is silly. A number is either retired or usable.
What is wrong about taking someone “literally”. We telling jokes here or what?
What is wrong about taking someone “literally”. We telling jokes here or what?
–
Words & phrases have different meanings beyond the literal, strictest reading.
PacoDooley January 9th, 2013 at 11:17 am e
Would really like to understand the reshaping process – I would have assumed that reshaping would do too much damage to cartilage to allow him to play afterwards. I wonder why they didn’t do any reshaping to his other hip (presumably because that was a smaller and less invasive surgery).
—
He described it a little bit. Basically he has a tool with a spinning burr that physcially reshapes the bone into a predetermined shape. It does seem like that would have to damage the cartilage, but apparently it doesn’t. I think I’d have to see it to fully understand it.
Blake,
It is time to admit it. You like Jello.
I’m not sure any of the Nats catchers will be available since Ramos had ACL surgery in July and is an unknown.
“We can’t make it perfect so screw it, just totally ignore the issue” is not a good plan.
We shouldn’t not vote for Bonds because Biggio could have used and may get in? I’m supposed to feel sorry for Bonds if that happens?
__
It’s the fairest one.
blake January 9th, 2013 at 11:42 am
“I was being sarcastic..”
my bad the whole sarcasm tone is tough in text
——————–
It’s ok it happens to all of us.
I seriously think guys were using as far back as the 70s and maybe even the 60s.
For some of you guys that live and die with the “numbers”, to Now try and hide behind Not having your own words taken “literally”, = a white flag. I ACCEPT
Rod or Pineda, wake me up when they are back. Don’t really care about HOF or any other accolades for that matter, just win. Morse is too good too be a platoon hitter, he definitely would help this year but so were many others yanks passed on. best case scenario, Cashman stealing one of rod’s honey and gets a beat down from rod, both are out of baseball, but unlikely to happen.
I love Jello and the Waffle House actually!
“Cashman stealing one of rod’s honey and gets a beat down from rod, both are out of baseball, but unlikely to happen.”
Some of “rod’s honey[s]” could beat down Cashman.
“Basically he has a tool with a spinning burr that physcially reshapes the bone into a predetermined shape.”
sounds familiar
“I seriously think guys were using as far back as the 70s and maybe even the 60s.”
what about that guy that hit more homers than whole teams?
But have you ever ordered Jello at the Waffle House?
“For some of you guys that live and die with the “numbers”, to Now try and hide behind Not having your own words taken “literally”, = a white flag. I ACCEPT”
so Donnybrook can understand. Mike Morse is a bad defender who could probably play RF on occasion in YS without hard. Kurt Suzuki is a bad catcher overall who is still better than what the Yankees currently have.
The entire number thing is silly. A number is either retired or usable.
===========================================
The fans spoke out on O’Neill and won.
Certain players the rule does not apply.
Blake,
That is the kind of stunning cross examination I can do to get people to make such admissions. I wish I had some hash browns from the Waffle House right now.
“But have you ever ordered Jello at the Waffle House”
ive ordered Jelly for my biscuits
Mick,
I know they did with O’Neill. It is silly in my view.
Rich,
I agree the AROD’s current girlfriend could probably lick a number of us. Did that come out as intended?
” agree the AROD’s current girlfriend could probably lick a number of us. Did that come out as intended?”
It’s afternoon now in NY/NJ…so…yeah…
on other news that has zero significance, Cashmoney finished his inaugural season at AA with a scintillating 377 average and 950 ops was promptly traded by the Yanks to the brewers for Hart. *&*&*(& Cano!
blake January 9th, 2013 at 11:55 am
“I seriously think guys were using as far back as the 70s and maybe even the 60s.”
what about that guy that hit more homers than whole teams?
—————————–
http://answers.yahoo.com/quest.....008AAdpEgo
So fans can be silly, what else is new?
To me the Hall Of Fame is serious stuff. It’s Rivendale. It’s to be reverred, and Not tarnished by allowing shiit-heads in. I apologize for those that may have slipped by previous to my tenure, but I will henceforth guard this gate at Elrond’s pleasure.
“To me the Hall Of Fame is serious stuff. It’s Rivendale. It’s to be reverred, and Not tarnished by allowing shiit-heads in. I apologize for those that may have slipped by previous to my tenure, but I will henceforth guard this gate at Elrond’s pleasure.”
Who’s a bigger …head than Ty Cobb? There are players in there who treated blacks like garbage. It has always been flawed.
The Only thing that should go onna bisquit is Gravy. You try that Jelly routine in the South, and they’ll be calling you Mitt.
Hence the ‘slipped by” referrence.
OK. But I think they got in with the voters eyes being wide open.
austinmac January 9th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Mick,
I know they did with O’Neill. It is silly in my view.
———————
Very silly what they did to Hawkins was mean and O’neil didn’t help either.
“The Only thing that should go onna bisquit is Gravy. You try that Jelly routine in the South, and they’ll be calling you Mitt”
I’m from the south man….and we like our strawberry and blackberry preserves with our biscuits on occasion.l
River Ave. Blues ?@RiverAveBlues
McCarron: Yankees have checked in on Grady Sizemore http://rab.me/Wzq7Iz
Donny do you mean Rivendell ?
Add Grady Sizemore to the list of players the Yankees “check in” on every year but never sign. Used to be Mark DeRosa and David DeJesus.
My ten cents’ worth on the A-Rod situation: I see a likely scenario of the Yanks chasing the Rays and Jays for most of the year and everyone pinning their hopes on A-Rod’s return making the difference. If that’s the case, then I think we’re going to be disappointed. I’d say it’s no better than even money that he plays in 2013. Even if the operation and rehab goes as planned, how many games is he going to need to play in the Minors before he’s ready return to the big stage?
If the Yankees surprise to the upside this season, I think it will more likely be because their starting pitcher overperforms, and Youkilis, Ichiro, and Tex perform better than they have in recent years, rather than anything A-Rod does.
- Patrick -
Yea.
I still say A-Rod tore that hip up after his ER Junket. Dr Hackenbush says A-Rod had trouble even doing a Simple leg lift on his intial visit, yet this was Not noted in the ER? The man had to get himself up onna table for the MRI, which involves the lifting of the legs. Gimme a break. Do NOT take me literally Blake.
waiting for Arod’s return for a boost is becoming an annual event.
The problem that you face with Alex if you’re Cashman is that whether he performs or not, he’s coming back and so you have to account for him. By account for him I mean that starting in mid July you’re going to have Alex and Youk on the roster occupying your DH and 3b spots. That knowledge may be what keeps the Yankees from trading for a Mike Morse and instead pursuing a bench guy (Hairston) and fabricating a DH solution for the first couple of months with guys who can fit on your bench or be part of a LH/RH platoon at DH if Alex’s isn’t terribly effective in his return (Kelly Johnson).
“That knowledge may be what keeps the Yankees from trading for a Mike Morse and instead pursuing a bench guy (Hairston) and fabricating a DH solution for the first couple of months with guys who can fit on your bench or be part of a LH/RH platoon at DH if Alex’s isn’t terribly effective in his return (Kelly Johnson).”
that would be terrible decision making as Alex may not even play this year…..if he does come back and they have too many guys then they can trade Youkallis or Morse.
No excuse for failing to trade for Morse – - – -
“No excuse for failing to trade for Morse – – – ”
depends on the price but he does fit rather nicely…..
Rod or Pineda, wake me up when they are back. Don’t really care about HOF or any other accolades for that matter, just win. Morse is too good too be a platoon hitter, he definitely would help this year but so were many others yanks passed on. best case scenario, Cashman stealing one of rod’s honey and gets a beat down from rod, both are out of baseball, but unlikely to happen.
___________________
Morse would have to be in the lineup everyday, either in LF, RF or DH. I believe if they get Morse, they should make their best effort to trade Granderson, move Gardner to CF, Morse to LF, and use Grandy to get the prospects back we lose in the Morse trade.
They are reportedly in the mix for Morse, Chip, so I don’t think the A-Rod issue is holding them back in that regard.
I think the sole issue is what would Morse cost.
Morse in LF at YS wouldn’t be pretty on an every day basis……unless they really get a nice return for Grandy I think that strategy would be counterproductive.
CC is on NY 98.7. Good interview going on.
You can’t trade Granderson for prospects. The Yankees need to win. They have prospects who aren’t ready, so they need the guys they have to play until they are. The only way you can trade Granderson is if you get a comparable bat back or sign a comparable bat in FA first. Morse plugs the DH/RH-OF hole, not replaces Granderson’s production.
Next year is going to be the tricky one.
Morse in LF at YS wouldn’t be pretty on an every day basis……unless they really get a nice return for Grandy I think that strategy would be counterproductive.
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Not necessarily. Maybe Morse will hit above .225 and not strike out 200 times. Plus Gardner can move to CF. Also, maybe Musteiler or Zoilo will get a chance this year, should someone get hurt.
Biggio or no one seems to be the Twitter-buzz re: HOF.
Trading Granderson – you have to factor:
The prospects/players you get back vs. Granderson’s 40+ HRs and production + the supplemental pick in a deeper 2014 draft + the increase of draft pool money in a deeper 2014 draft
Guys.. only 15 more minutes until we’ll be debating steroid usage in baseball!!
Oh…. wait….
tim kurkjian said this morning that exit polling had Biggio around 70% – but that is not an exact number to rely on – - – -
“Not necessarily. Maybe Morse will hit above .225 and not strike out 200 times. Plus Gardner can move to CF. Also, maybe Musteiler or Zoilo will get a chance this year, should someone get hurt.”
I’d rather have Granderson and Morse for 2013 unless the return for Granderson is really good….
You can’t trade Granderson for prospects. The Yankees need to win. They have prospects who aren’t ready, so they need the guys they have to play until they are. The only way you can trade Granderson is if you get a comparable bat back or sign a comparable bat in FA first. Morse plugs the DH/RH-OF hole, not replaces Granderson’s production.
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Morse CAN replace Granderson’s production and the DH should just be a rotation of everyone who needs time off like Youk, Jeter etc. Also frees up an extra spot in the 25 man not to have a permanent DH. Allows Nunez to get on the team.
Again, they DONT need 250 homeruns to win.
They need guys that can advance runners, hit singles and doubles and not K 200 times.
I’d rather have Granderson and Morse for 2013 unless the return for Granderson is really good….
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Me too
I was hoping to not have to here about exit polling for 4 more years
Even IF A-Rod comes back at Some point in the 2013 season, who is to say it will Not be onna part-time basis. I doubt he will come back and Immediately jump into the lineup full-time, even if it is at DH. NOT gonna happen with Joe “take the day off” Girardi.
mid-term elections will be big again in 2016 – - – -
The prospects/players you get back vs. Granderson’s 40+ HRs and production + the supplemental pick in a deeper 2014 draft + the increase of draft pool money in a deeper 2014 draft
___
i dont see the yankees making a QO to granderson in order to get the extra pick. They cannot risk an extra 13 M in 2014.
if they could get Mike Olt for Granderson…..or good player like that then sure…..deal him put Morse in RF and Ichiro in LF…..but I dunno if that’s possible….
I would not mind a David Murphy/Robbie Ross trade for Granderson – - – -
I love that Curt Schilling is not likely to get in either this year. I really dont care for that guy.
I Probably coulda voted for Huckabee, but those other 2 Jokers are cut from the same cloth.
“i dont see the yankees making a QO to granderson in order to get the extra pick. They cannot risk an extra 13 M in 2014.”
depends on what kinda year Grandy has……
blake January 9th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
I was hoping to not have to here about exit polling for 4 more years
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depends on what kinda year Grandy has……
___
They wont risk it with Jeter probbably needing an extension and keeping any chance of holding Cano. Hughes is basically gone too…..
Why would Granderson take a pay cut for one year on a QO?
MLB Network PR ?@MLBNetworkPR
Murphy on if he should be in the #HOF: “I’m not so sure I belong in the same place as Hank Aaron, but I think there’s a spot for me.”
they should kick Aaron out for taking amphetamines and let Dale in to increase the clean player ratio
If Granderson hits 40 homers again then they’ll make him a QO…..not a single player took it last year….and so far not a single player has crawled back for less than they would have gotten.
David Cameron ?@DCameronFG
The spectacle of a huge trade announcement right now would make this whole day worth it.
please…..I’d love it if a team decided to stomp on all the HOF fun
I Probably coulda voted for Huckabee,
*********************************************
The idiot who blamed the Newtown massacre on the absence of God in schools? No thanx
This is true – it would be a fitting day for the Marlins to trade Giancarlo to the Yankees – - – -
Calling him an “idiot” diminishes your point.
“The idiot who blamed the Newtown massacre on the absence of God in schools? No thanx”
in a world that’s become incredibly PC….this statement is just as offensive to a lot of people as apparently the other one was to you.
And the envelope is opened and it’s drumroll please, NOBODY
No one got in WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFf
Jerry Crasnick ?@jcrasnick
The Hall of Fame pitches a shutout this year. No one elected.
shamockery!
Dumb ass writers clowns
An umpire got in so there is that. Haters will be hating that.
Biggio with 68% – - – -
I did Not say it was offensive to me. It’s just that when you slander someone, your point gets muddled. It’s a valid point. In fact, my chief reservation with Huckabee is whether his religous background would prevent him from pulling a Truman and dropping a Bomb or 2.
Any writer who was employed and covering baseball during the steroid era – whatever time frame that may be – should lose their vote – because they were either intentionally, recklessly, or negilgently sleeping on this story – they either turned the other way intentionally OR were so incompetent that could not notice what was going on – they cannot now retroactively wash their hands and then also lay judgment as the so-called protectors of the HOF – - – -
The Return of Stoneburner January 9th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
No excuse for failing to trade for Morse – – – -
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Well there are some that are acceptable:
Nationals finding an offer they like better being the top one.
As I said yesterday – try to expand the deal; get Suzuki included too – then to make it financially work deal Granderson and his $15M for Murphy and a prospect.
Chip January 9th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
The Return of Stoneburner January 9th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
No excuse for failing to trade for Morse – – – -
—————-
Well there are some that are acceptable:
Nationals finding an offer they like better being the top one.
As I said yesterday – try to expand the deal; get Suzuki included too – then to make it financially work deal Granderson and his $15M for Murphy and a prospect.
******
I understand – but on this one – I am taking an extreme irrational stance – he makes too much sense – I want to see what the other teams are offering – and what the Yanks are offering and what the Nats really want from the Yanks – - – -
‘You can’t trade Granderson for prospects. The Yankees need to win.”
They need to win in the futue as well as the present, so if they get enough back, it’s a no brainer to move him.
I can imagine a lot of words that would upset someone, but “idiot” wouldn’t be on the list.
It is not slander to call someone an idiot.
As for the Hall…. baseball desperately needs the Hall to take a stand on the steroid issue and give voters specific guidance. Or they could simply remove the integrity….etc clause that has never been used before
They need to win in the futue as well as the present, so if they get enough back, it’s a no brainer to move him.
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Amen. As it stands now Yankee baseball, as we know it, ends at the end of this year.
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