Local orthopedic surgeons weigh in on Porter’s procedure
On Tuesday, ABC 17 News spoke to a doctor and professor of orthopedic surgery regarding the procedure Michael Porter Junior underwent today.
Dr. Ted Choma said microdisceptomy is a very common procedure and is done at least 100 times a year at MU.
Choma also said that typically, people bounce back from it. “There are a number of papers written by my colleagues over the last five years that have documented the return of high-level sports. This is in NFL and other high-level pro players.”
Choma said the surgery usually isn’t the first recommendation for the type of injury Porter has.
“It’s because we know that most people over the course of just a few weeks will start to naturally just start feeling better,” said Choma.
He said surgery is recommended for those who take time off to rest and still feel pain.
Usually, there isn’t a certain event that causes this injury. It comes from gradual changes of the collagen in the discs. When the actual disc herniation happens, however, the patients knows.
“It can happen doing a multitude of everyday things, like getting in and out of your car,” said Choma.
He said the Orthopedic Institute does a lot of difficult things and this is the smallest procedure they do. The patient’s pre-injury physical condition can expedite or prolong the recovery process.
