Geiger out four to six more weeks after surgery
Matt Geiger, who has appeared in nine games with the 76ers all season and has been unavailable for 11 of the last 13, is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday in Birmingham, Ala.
This article was published in the Daily News on January 5, 2000.
Matt Geiger, who has appeared in nine games with the 76ers all season and has been unavailable for 11 of the last 13, is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday in Birmingham, Ala.
Dr. James Andrews, a nationally respected orthopedic specialist, performed the 27-minute procedure on the Sixers' 7-1 backup center, assisted by Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the Sixers' orthopedic specialist.
It was confirmed Geiger's problem is chondromalacia, an arthritic condition centered in the area of the kneecap.
"The menisci and the ligaments all looked good," McPhilemy said. "Structurally, the knee looked sound. "
Geiger, who had arthroscopic surgery on his other knee during training camp, will begin a rehabilitation program as soon as he returns to Philadelphia. General manager Billy King has been unsure what he will do in terms of the roster, because the Sixes have the maximum three players allowed on the injured list: Speedy Claxton, out for the season after reconstructive knee surgery; Eric Snow, out several weeks after surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right ankle; and rookie Pepe Sanchez, with what was described as left hip bursitis. Sanchez is eligible to be activated for tomorrow night's game in Cleveland.
Sanchez, Kevin Ollie and Rodney Buford have make-good contracts that would become automatically guaranteed for the remainder of the season if they are still on the roster for Wednesday's game against Portland.
A team wishing to avoid paying a guarantee in that situation must place the player in question on waivers by 6 p.m. today to clear the designated 48-hour regular working-day period.