Meniscus Transplant for BRoy

by MisterOden on Dec 16, 2010 6:59 PM PST

I haven't heard any mention about the possibility of a meniscus transplant for Roy. I've heard that surgery may be an option but haven't heard what kind of surgery that would be. Out of curiousity I was researching meniscus anatomy and discovered that a meniscus transplant is possible and that it is becoming a more popular option for patients that are good candidates. From what I've read it seems like Roy could be a candidate for the surgery if he doesn't already have previous knee instability or cartilage damage resulting from the lack of meniscus. It is possible that the surgery wouldn't help Roy (it might be rejected or might not heal), but there is also a chance that it could. Not many patients have been carrying meniscus transplants for more than 3-6 years, so there isn't a lot of information about the short to long term benefits. The link below will give you more detailed and accurate information about meniscus transplants. It seems like this procedure should be considered at this point in Roy's career, especially since he will likely be with the team for the next 5 years unless he retires. The rest of this Oden-less season and possible lockout next season next year could provide Roy with the time he needs to rehabilitate his knees for a possible return to form.

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/meniscusinjuries1/a/transplant.htm

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It was actually discussed among the community three days ago in the fanshots:

Meniscus Transplant Survival Statistics

FYI this can be found by using the search engine on the upper right (I simply searched for Meniscus Transplant), and there are tabs for fanposts and fanshots.

by Timmay! on Dec 16, 2010 7:08 PM PST reply actions

Tried it

Before I posted I ran ‘meniscus transplant’ and ‘meniscus’ in the search enginer but it didn’t return any relevant results. Not sure why the fanshot you linked didn’t come up.

by MisterOden on Dec 16, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions

It's because you have to click on the tabs, Fanshots / Fanposts / Etc.....

The initial tab, is for stories (not sure what that is, maybe front page?), for which there are none.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 16, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Tried that too

Maybe fanshots are not searchable. I don’t think they’re intended for topic discussions anyway. Not the first place I’d look.

by MisterOden on Dec 17, 2010 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

Wierd. I get this.

http://www.blazersedge.com/search?btn=Go&order=date&q=meniscus&type=FanShot

The SBN search feature wigs out on me every once in a while, but it’s usually pretty good. And there’s often lots of discussion in fanshots — no different than fanposts in a lot of ways.

Wiggada Wiggada Zers!

by Corvid on Dec 17, 2010 3:11 PM PST up reply actions

But that wasn't a good discussion.

by botanyjames on Dec 16, 2010 11:09 PM PST up reply actions

there's a whole bunch of stuff about a month ago on it

not that MrOden should have known… too much stuff on here.
one link

http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/allograftmeniscus/tabID__3376/ItemID__287/PageID__3/Articles/Default.aspx

If Oden does not give up on the Blazers, we should not give up on him.

by Berkeley on Dec 16, 2010 11:36 PM PST up reply actions

I like your thinking.

I just think with access to the top orthopedic surgeons in the country something would considered if it was a viable option at this point. Not saying something couldn’t be done in the future.

by Blazas! on Dec 16, 2010 7:13 PM PST reply actions

Yeah but they are listening to Roy instead of just telling him to go see top surgeons in the field

For 80 million dollars I would put him on a plane to the best specialists for evaluations, at least 3 different specialists, and order him to take the advice of those doctors or void his contract.

Besides they aren’t winning the title this year anyway so by default they avoid the only other definition of "waste" that matters.

—Dave

by TheOdenator52 on Dec 16, 2010 7:23 PM PST up reply actions

Give me a break

You honestly believe they’re only listening to Roy, and not consulting doctors?

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 16, 2010 7:49 PM PST up reply actions

Yes I sadly do

Besides they aren’t winning the title this year anyway so by default they avoid the only other definition of "waste" that matters.

—Dave

by TheOdenator52 on Dec 16, 2010 8:01 PM PST up reply actions

So if a doctor said Roy could be better off in the long run but would have to miss a good chunk of time now

you really think Roy would overrule the doctor and Blazer management? I don’t think so.

by Blazas! on Dec 16, 2010 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

Brandon turned down that chance to get a MRI in Los Angelas because he said he was fine

And that was for a knee specialists and they listened to him then. He has also said he doesnt like MRI’s and they listened to him then too.

Besides they aren’t winning the title this year anyway so by default they avoid the only other definition of "waste" that matters.

—Dave

by TheOdenator52 on Dec 16, 2010 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

Here is the thing.

There is an enormous difference between someone not suffering knee pain anymore because of a meniscus transplant, and someone attempting to take that same meniscus transplant situation and try to play 82+ NBA games on the hardwood every year.

The future, Conan?

by 420Phenom on Dec 16, 2010 7:24 PM PST reply actions

but

i think having meniscus in there is better than having none and playing 82+ NBA games…

by Effervescent on Dec 16, 2010 7:35 PM PST up reply actions

Why not.

Lets just put Roy into surgery every other week with some new meniscus.

The future, Conan?

by 420Phenom on Dec 16, 2010 7:37 PM PST up reply actions

I see your point

I was wondering the same thing. It might not help a superior athlete, or only temporarily. I’m just curious why the meniscus transplant option has not been brought up and discussed in the wake of accelerated deterioration in Roy’s knees. Maybe it’s not possible because of the excessive physical stress it would put on sensitive transplanted tissue. I’d just like to hear someone within the organization address the possibility, or lack thereof.

by MisterOden on Dec 16, 2010 8:06 PM PST up reply actions

brain transplant for roy

needs to get a grip and recognize that he’s the problem

/cambyfive

by CroRupt on Dec 16, 2010 7:40 PM PST reply actions

You beat me to it...

by NeverSummer on Dec 17, 2010 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Face the fact that

his knee’s are shot. There is no miracle cure. As much as he’s hobbling around I’m surprised he’s able to play at all. It’s painful to watch this once great player dribble the ball down court and fall down for no good reason. He’s unable to drive, elevate, or shoot well due to the instability in his legs.

IMO he has two options. Retire now and enjoy what life is left in those knees with total knee(s) replacement somewhere down the road or continue to play and probably have total knee(s) replacement before he’s 30 years old.

It’s sad that he continues to play. Eventually everyone walks away from the game. For his family and himself he should do it now.

by toolman on Dec 16, 2010 8:58 PM PST reply actions

At some point, I think Roy will try this option... Maybe not for a year or two.

If it works, the procedure will be immortalized as “Brandon Roy surgery.”

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Dec 16, 2010 9:00 PM PST reply actions

Supposedly, from what I understand, the procedure is done arthroscopically, using meniscus from cadavers...

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Dec 16, 2010 9:02 PM PST up reply actions

If his knee(s) are bone on bone

he’s in terrible pain. I was once bone on bone and had a total hip replacement. Narc’s don’t even cut the pain. I honestly don’t think he’ll last a year, let alone two.

by toolman on Dec 16, 2010 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

what I don't get is how the training staff goes along with letting him play on this,

if it is that bad. If they are enabling him with pain meds, that would seem short sighted, and not in Brandon’s best long term health interests, to put it nicely. If a player is willing to injur himself, is it not the job of the training staff to veto that ? I really can’t imagin how anyone could believe that it “can’t get worse”.

If Oden does not give up on the Blazers, we should not give up on him.

by Berkeley on Dec 16, 2010 11:01 PM PST up reply actions

yeah, it is possible Brandon is just not convinced it is "that bad" yet,

though, I am thinking he should be comming around pretty quick.j
If he holds to his determination to play his game, it would seem that he would be game to give it a try.
He may not have had the suitibly biased pitch on the possible benefit of the procedure yet.

If Oden does not give up on the Blazers, we should not give up on him.

by Berkeley on Dec 16, 2010 10:55 PM PST up reply actions

I get the impression that people haven't read the discussion that Timmay linked to

Here is a key comment from that thread from a Blazeredger MD

I performed a menical transplant last week and I can say that Roy is not a good candidate for this surgery.

First and foremost this surgery is relatively new and uncommon with little long-term outcome studies. The ones that have been published are usually short-term (less than a few years), show only modest increases in knee function scores and do not control for elite athletes. Also the best candidates are young patients who have undergone unicompartmental menisectomies with little or early arthritic change and develop effusions with activity. Pan arthritis is a relative factor to NOT do this procedure. From what I hear out of Kerlan-Jobe, Roy has arthritic changes with osteophyte formation in both compartments. That definitely makes him a poor candidate for the procedure. This is a surgery I do for young healthy individuals who are active but not elite level athletes in hopes to push off doing a total joint replacement which is a very poor option in the young. Roy can decrease the pain in his knee by not playing basketball at a competitive level. I would be fine letting my meniscal transplant patient play a game of HORSE once he is fully recovered but not in the NBA.

by odenator69 on Dec 13, 2010 10:16 PM PST reply actions 6 recs

The short version: Brandon is not a good candidate and the surgery is not appropriate for professional basketball players.

Wiggada Wiggada Zers!

by Corvid on Dec 16, 2010 9:32 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Voila.

OSU '06
Trade for Gerald Wallace!!

by TyboOSU on Dec 16, 2010 9:57 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

respectfully, a second opinion could differ.

I don’t know, just sayin’ and hopin’.

If Oden does not give up on the Blazers, we should not give up on him.

by Berkeley on Dec 16, 2010 10:56 PM PST up reply actions

Transplants have a VERY narrow inclusion criteria that Roy just doesn't meet

If this surgery worked for elite level athletes that are involved in significant cutting, running and jumping, it would have already been tried. No NBA player has had this operation and to my knowledge, no professional athlete in any type of high-impact sport such as soccer or football has had it done. The literature only has documented good outcomes when the patients returned to low-impact sports and activites. NBA basketball would tear apart a cadaver meniscus, not to mention destroy any lingering athleticism left.

by odenator69 on Dec 17, 2010 3:49 AM PST up reply actions

There's the money line... Thanks, doc...

NBA basketball would tear apart a cadaver meniscus, not to mention destroy any lingering athleticism left.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Dec 17, 2010 8:27 AM PST up reply actions

What if the cadaver meniscus was injected with nano-Chuck Norrises?

by Kaanyr Vhok on Dec 17, 2010 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

ok, thanks, I had doubts on that post.

just clinging to a bit of hope. Looks all downhill from here.
I watched some of the procedural video, a lot more involved than I would have guessed, transplanting the bone attachment and all. Amazing what they can do through those little holes, doesn’t look easy.
I wonder if Brandon’s moods correspond with his pain meds.
Brandon and team have to adjust to a new reality.

If Oden does not give up on the Blazers, we should not give up on him.

by Berkeley on Dec 17, 2010 3:22 PM PST up reply actions