Bone grafts made a big splash into the national spotlight this past spring when NBA superstar Kevin Durant had to receive a bone graft after a Jones Fracture in his foot didn’t heal properly during the course of the NBA season. FOX Sports originally reported on this in an article titled “Thunder star Kevin Durant has bone graft surgery on right foot.”
According to the author of the article, “Thunder star Kevin Durant had bone graft surgery Tuesday for a fracture in his right foot, and the team expects he’ll return to basketball activities in four to six months. The Thunder said in a statement that Durant had surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, with team medical personnel present. The league’s reigning MVP had the third operation on his foot. The first procedure was last October, and he returned to play in December with some pain. A screw rubbing against another bone was removed in February, and Durant was expected to return in one or two weeks. The pain persisted, and Durant consulted three foot and ankle specialists. They agreed to the bone graft surgery after it was determined pain was from the rubbing, plus regression in the initial break.”
All signs point to a successful recovery, as evidenced by Durant’s appearance at the NBA’s Orlando Summer League. The Orlando Sentinel takes a look at Durant’s health in a recent article titled “Thunder superstar Kevin Durant says his foot is healing well.” Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes, “He could have gone anywhere, but he chose to visit Central Florida to watch some basketball. On Saturday, he attended the opening day of the Orlando Pro Summer League at Amway Center. Walking in sneakers and without a limp, Durant said he’s encountered no setbacks since he received a bone graft in his right foot on March 31. He’s reached the phase of his rehab in which he’s shooting jumpers but isn’t running and cutting. New Thunder coach Billy Donovan worked him out in recent days. ‘We’re doing X-rays every two weeks, and it’s looking good,’ he said. ‘So I’m excited to get back, man. There’s no pain. [I’m] looking forward to getting back.’ Durant said he’s expected to be cleared completely by August.”
If you’re considering grafting for your foot, you need a trusted surgeon. Rex E. Moulton-Barrett, M.D. is internationally known and acknowledged. He is board certified with The American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Moulton-Barrett offers a number of options for hand and foot reconstruction surgery, including tendon repair, carpal tunnel relief, and grafting. The grafting procedure removes healthy tissue from one area of the body and adds it to another area of the body in order to treat a wound or trauma. We can do this with skin, nerves, tendons or bones.
You will likely notice significant swelling following surgery. Over the next several weeks, you will begin to notice the results of the hand surgery as the swelling subsides. Still, you should be aware that it may take months to see the complete results of your reconstructive surgery.
If you think you might need a grafting procedure, contact us for a consultation.