Andrew Bynum: Overseas Knee Surgery Shouldn't Scare 76ers Fans
Anytime you see the words “knee injury” associated with your star player, the typical response is one of panic.
Andrew Bynum is a different story.
The newest member of the Philadelphia 76ers is reportedly undergoing an “experimental procedure” on his knee in Germany next month, according to a source who spoke with John Mitchell of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
It’s the same surgery that Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill and Alex Rodriguez have endured in the past, and it has received rave reviews. Bryant, who played in 70 out of a possible 78 games in last year’s 66-game regular-season slate and two rounds of playoffs (12 games), still looked healthy competing in the Olympics this summer.
According to Mitchell, it sounds like that was the main reason why Bynum decided to go through with the procedure (via Philly.com):
"According to the source, Bynum was so impressed with the results that Bryant experienced last season that he agreed that exploring the procedure was a viable option.
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Bynum has undergone surgery on both of his knees in the past and has played in all 82 games only once in his seven-year professional career. The report states that it may be on either one or both of his knees.
Obviously, the surgeries haven’t completely done the trick in the past, so might as well try your luck with a procedure that some of the greatest athletes of all-time have undergone.
Mitchell provides a brief description of the procedure, which is called Orthokine/Regenokine (via Philly.com):
"The procedure is a derivation of platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP. The procedure, which is not yet performed in the United States, is less invasive than many, if not all, other forms of knee surgeries presently used.
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Bynum is coming off a season in which he averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 35.2 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers, which were career highs across the board. His knees are getting stronger, and getting this procedure done should be looked at as insurance more than anything else.
He’ll be 25 when the season starts and looking to have his best season yet. Not only is Bynum trying to impress a new fanbase and city, but he is also entering a contract year. He’s looking to get Dwight Howard money and needs a season of 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks to do it.
This procedure is a preventive measure to ensure he is built to last for the entire season. The 76ers are a serious contender in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming campaign and need a full season of Bynum to fully reach their potential.
This is Bynum’s way of telling fans he wants to have strong and healthy knees deep into the summer. In the grand scheme of things for the 76ers' 2012-13 season, today’s news is an encouraging development.
