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Abiamiri Trying to Recover from Microfracture Surgery

The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian

Abiamiri Trying to Recover from Microfracture Surgery

POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010, 5:40 PM

Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer

As Andy Reid promised earlier in the day, the Eagles made head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder available to talk about Victor Abiamiri's knee surgery late this afternoon. It was evident from the way questions about Abiamiri were handled over the past few weeks that the news wasn't going to be good.

Sure enough, Burkholder disclosed that the 24-year-old defensive end had undergone microfracture surgery on his left knee back in February. That's considered something of a last-chance attempt to recreate knee cartilage, where bone is rubbing on bone. Abiamiri, drafted 57th overall in the second round in 2007, won't be able to run before August, Burkholder said. Chances of him being ready for the start of the season don't look good.

Microfracture surgery tends to be a career-ender for some older athletes. Younger players fare better, but there is no guarantee the procedure will work. It consists of a surgeon drilling holes, creating an injury that the body tries to cover with a cartilage-like substance. That substance might ease the bone-on-bone problem, but often it doesn't last.

"I'll be all right," Abiamiri said. "I'm not too worried about it ... It's a tough process to go through ... The amount of time it takes to heal up is pretty extensive."

Abiamiri said he was injured on a cut block during the Eagles' Oct. 18 loss at Oakland. At the time, the team announced a knee hyperextension, which kept Abiamiri sidelined until the Nov. 15 San Diego game. He then played the remainder of the season, but encountered pain during early offseason workouts and got it checked out. Eventually he ended up with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama, Abiamiri hoping he only needed a cleanout but knowing microfracture surgery was possible.

Burkholder and Abiamiri said the type of blow Abiamiri suffered took what Burkholder called "a divot" out of the cartilage lining his kneecap.

Despite a chiseled physique, Abiamiri seems unable to play for more than a few weeks without sustaining an injury. That has been the story of his 29-game pro career, which has been much less than he and the Eagles expected.

"It's definitely true, but what can you do about it, besides just try to get better and try and get healthy?" he said. "That's all I can do at this particular juncture, you know?"

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Comments (13)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:58 PM, 04/30/2010

Sicne they knew it, one more reason why Eagles drafted so many front 7 players. Unfortunate injury, hope the surgery works for him, but not sure he makes the team anyway. The changing of the Eagles D is underway and he won't be the last vet who will be looking for work before the season starts.

— Z-Force

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:35 PM, 04/30/2010

McNabb did Abiamiri a huge disservice and never pushed Abiamiri to become a greater player. With Kolb we will never have this problem again. Kolb will push this team and grab this team as a true leader and a true All-American. Abiamiri don't worry get healthy bro and when your healthy we can ease you back as we now have a QB who will put points on the board and not have you playing the entire game from behind.

— lonewolf 10

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:47 PM, 04/30/2010

Loneolf is right. Clearly McNabb is at fault here. But I would like to thank Donovan for the nice weather we're having.

— hallux

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:08 PM, 04/30/2010

lonewolf 10 - you are a complete and total idiot if you are blaming this on McNabb.. lol What a joke!

— ChrisM

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:14 PM, 04/30/2010

It does not matter. He is going to get CUT. That is why the Eagles drafted so many defenseive lineman.

— briandawkins20

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:52 PM, 04/30/2010

the inmates are running the asylum!

— stikolaboloni

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:14 PM, 04/30/2010

Wasn't 95 McDougle's number too? Bad karma.

— GreenWing

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:18 PM, 04/30/2010

Looks like the PUP list might be this guy's best shot to stay on the team.

— conceptual_bro

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:22 PM, 04/30/2010

So Andy and his stubborn unreality drafter 3-4 pass rushers. I do not think Vic will be missed that much since he is rarely around .

— KGKoons

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:25 PM, 04/30/2010

Yeah if Mcnabb was a better leader jerome brown would still be with us playing dt.I am glad he's gone. Maybe now I will be able to get out of my pajamas and go get a job.

— JL68