HOLY KRISTAPS: All Things Porzingis | TRADED to WAS

[SleepingHero]

This feels like microfracture waiting to happen.

2 totally different injuries.  A meniscus tear will never need a microfracture surgery. 

A microfracture surgery is needed when there is damage to the actual cartilage of the knee and doctors try a technique where they make small fractures along the knee to stimulate a clot and for more cartilage to be made. A meniscus tear can be either a lateral or a medial tear. Both have the same treatment options. 

Option 1. remove the damaged portion of the meniscus entirely, or removing the entire meniscus itself. Doing so rapidly speeds up recovery time from the injury (at most 8 weeks, but a large portion can return to full activities after 2 weeks of healing). Of course it doesn't come without risk. By removing the meniscus it opens up the knee to being susceptible to more injuries. The increase risk is small but there because an entire ligament has been removed. D-Whistle is a notable example of an athlete removing his meniscus and continuing his career just fine. 

Option 2. Let the tear heal by itself without any sort of intervention. This is a common route if the tear is relatively minor. Most tears heal within 6 weeks, but can last up to 12 weeks. Most athletes can continue to train with minor discomfort even on a torn meniscus. From the sound of it, KP has a very small tear. Which is why he was able to play 2 full NBA games on it, and why the Mavs had to do multiple MRI's to even see damage. 

Option 3. Surgically repair the tear by opening up and sewing the torn portions together. This is a difficult procedure, mostly because it is reserved for tears that are considerably large. The larger the tear the easier it is to see and sew up. An advantage for this is that while the doctor is in there he can reinforce the ligaments and try to create an environment where further knee injuries are less likely. This procedure has the longest turnaround time ~give or take 12 weeks. But it offers the most long term stability. 

In no scenario does having a meniscus tear have ANYTHING to do with the cartilage of the knee. As knee injuries go this is akin to sprained pinky finger.