Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol underwent a procedure Thursday to address the tendonosis in both of his knees.
The procedure, known as the FAST (Focused Aspiration of Scar Tissue) technique, involves a probe being inserted into the knee that “directs ultrasonic energy to eliminate scar tissue without damaging healthy tissue,” according to a team release.
Gasol also will receive stem cell injections next week and is expected to make a full recovery, the Lakers said. The four-time All-Star will return to basketball activities in approximately 12 weeks.
“After talking to several specialists, I’m going to proceed to regenerate both of my patellar tendons and working hard to get back to my 100%,” Gasol wrote on Twitter. “My knees are being an issue,” Gasol said during the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. “My patellar tendons are suffering.”
Gasol said his left knee, which is the leg he jumps off, is hurting more than his right. “It’s more than tendinitis, it’s tendonosis,” Gasol said. “There’s a degeneration of the tissue, and it’s something that I’ve dealt with all year. So I’ll have to do something to regenerate the tissue so I don’t have to play with this pain.”
Gasol added that he was suffering from calcification on the insertion of his patellar tendon in his knees.
With the procedure complete, Gasol will have to spend some time being a potato couch for a while. Here is what he had to say on twitter:
He will at least have a chance to watch his brother Marc Gasol play in the postseason moving forward.
Expect to see him comment on the games:
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