Carmelo Anthony Could Be Sidelined 4 Months After Potential Surgery
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony suffered a labrum tear in the 2013 NBA Playoffs. When he picked up the injury, he told the media that it felt as though his shoulder popped out and then back in. If he was to require surgery for this particular injury, it could sideline him for up to four months, and potentially force him to start the 2013-14 regular season in a suit.
According to an ESPN report, an experienced orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neil Roth suggests that, depending on the severity of the tear, Anthony’s injury might not require surgery and could get better with rest, which seems to be the intended course of action at this point. However, if Carmelo’s shoulder is still bothering him in a couple of weeks time, surgery would be necessary.
While Roth is not part of the Knicks’ medical staff and doesn’t have all the insight on the state of Anthony’s injury, he maintains that having surgery and fixing such injuries permanently would be the best way to go.
“There are many different types of labrum tears that vary characteristically by symptom, severity and treatment,” Roth said. “Recurring subluxations can sometimes get better with rehab, but in a contact athlete like Carmelo I would treat it aggressively and fix it if it’s the type of tear that’s amenable to repair.”
After winning his first scoring title in the regular season, Carmelo struggled with his shooting in the playoffs, and was possibly hindered by the shoulder injury. He shot 44.9% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range in the regular season and just 40.6% and 29.8% respectively in the postseason.
According to league sources, Anthony will rest and if surgery is required it would likely not take place until late June.