Tigers hit with another oblique strain 
June, 30, 2008
06/30/08
11:07
AM ET
It's official. I don't need surgery. After having my knee swell up like a balloon, and losing about 80 percent of my range of motion, it looked as if I was headed under the knife to repair a torn meniscus. But lo and behold, as is often the case in medicine, things were not quite as they seemed. An MRI revealed a partial tear of the popliteus tendon (a small but critical muscle on the back side of the knee that helps control rotation of the tibia and provides posterior lateral stability), a painful and unusual but nonsurgical condition. My lateral and my medial meniscus as well as my ACL are intact. Whew! Looks like my downtime is limited to avoiding running for a few weeks and being cautious with my knee. I have to be a good patient and wrap my leg, ice it and take my anti-inflammatories while I gradually work on regaining my strength and stability.
The good news? I will be able to make the All-Star festivities this year. Most importantly, I am reminded of the value of the outstanding health care professionals who spend countless years training just to "help people." I am reminded that the injuries that we regular folks suffer are often exactly the same as those that the athletes endure, which is perhaps why we identify so readily with them. And yes, I am reminded of how relieved all patients are when the news is less grim than originally thought. Now you want to know the status of the guys you really care about? Please, read on.
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