Source: Bynum to have non-invasive knee procedure
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Source: Bynum to have non-invasive knee procedure
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
New Sixers center Andrew Bynum will head to Germany in early September to have the same experimental procedure on his knee that Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill and Alex Rodriguez have undergone, according to a West Coast source with knowledge of the situation.
Bynum has had surgery on both of his knees. It is unknown whether the procedure will be performed on the one knee or both. According to the source, Bynum’s knees are fine and the procedure is non- surgical.
The procedure, known as Orthokine/Regenokine, will be performed by Dr. Peter Wehling. Bryant initially underwent the procedure to prevent the inevitable wearing down of his knee cartilage. The procedure is a derivation of platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP. The procedure, which is not yet performed in the United States, is less invasive than many, if not all, other forms of knee surgeries presently used.
Bynum dislocated his left knee cap in the January of the 2007-08 season and in May of that season Bynum underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee. He also underwent surgery on his right knee following the 2009-10 season.
His recovery from that surgery took longer than expected and, as a result, Bynum only appeared in 54 games in the 2010-11 season.
However, in what has to be considered a good sign for both Bynum and the Sixers, Bynum had the best season of his career in the lockout truncated season. Bynum appeared in 60 of 66 possible games and averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. The 35.2 minutes he played per game is the highest total in the 24 year olds seven-year career.
Bynum appeared in just 204 of a possible 328 games from the 2007-08 season through the 2010-11 season.
According to the source, Bynum is not feeling any pain in his knees. However, the center wants to explore any options that will help to prolong the healthy status of his knees. According to the source, Bynum was so impressed with the results that Bryant experienced last season that he agreed that exploring the procedure was a viable option.
drew, please dont turn out to be jeff ruland..— zwarte piet- Has he shown up in Philly yet to be introduced? Not seen anything along those lines and seems a little odd there is not a big intro press for his arrival— connorjr
- DC and Adam Aaron stretching out after returning from London...expect Wednesday...and lot's of "Welcome Andrew Bynum" billboards on the roads. — bearsfriend
- Thanks for the report....Looks like Dr James Andrews (how many times has one seen that name as the Doc) has been passed up by this Dr. Peter Wehling, and this modern procedure to preserve the cartilage...I'm sure there's many a poster that wish these techniques were around when back in the day!....Regarding DC, and his penchant for grinding out players that are so valuable, it will be interesting to see Bynum's use, even if pain is not a chronic issue...Anyway, let's hear it for Math and Science!...Get em right and ready!— bearsfriend
- This news don't sound good!!— Rick SP 4 LIFE
- Here we go on the Bynum merry-go-round, Yikes! Another Utley-like superstar in Philly. No problem.... We will just limp our way to a championship.— fafink
- Bynum has been planning this trip to Germany for the procedure since May.— hope55
- Adam Aaron was on WIP this morning. They are having a press conference to introduce him on Wednesday and fans are actually going to be invited.— sietepus
Welcome Andrew Bynum!!!!!we have not had a Great Center since Moses Molone!!!! Take us To The NBA Championship PLEASE!!!!!- Ruland: ouch!— Wurm
- The 7' center outta Solebury High School #33...............Andrew Byyyyynum!— StewieLavin27
- Yes, that was one of the 3 high schools he went to...wonder if Ted Silary remembers a young version that attended Solebury? — bearsfriend
- There is just no down side to this deal.— smfree31
- This is just some injections, no cutting. There is zero chance of doing any harm and a good chance of growing new knee cartilage.— Paul SoTX
- Can he take Chase Utley with him?— jcconn
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
