Okay, so let's talk about this.


So chondral defects are a very common thing that happens from actual injuries and from regular degenerative disease. For example, they are very common in young active kids who play sports, but since kids are still growing, they can physiologically fix the defect. We lose that ability once we become adults.


Chondral defects are only issues because they are known to increase risk and rate of osteoarthritic changes of the joint. However, that rate and risk is still very dependant on the person. Some people can have a chondral defect that worsens extremely slowly and some can have one that does not. Some people develop osteoarthritic changes at different rates. (Also just to clarify. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are NOT the same thing. Osteoarthritis is something that every person who is active or becomes old will experience. Rheumatoid is totally different.)


The only issue with osteoarthritis is that it can cause pain, decreased flexibility, and limited mobility of the joint. Notice I said CAN. Of course, the severity of changes does normally correlate with the symptoms but not always. You have a person with a joint that looks severe changes on a X-Ray, MRI, arthroscope, with minimal no pain or issues. You can have patient with what looks like mild to moderate changes with significant pain and issues.


The symptoms is the most significant factor with professional athletes. They have to implicitly trust their body. If their pain tolerance/mobility is such that they don't really notice the issue, they can still perform.


The option for microfracture surgery for an pro athlete is based on symptoms. If it gives him no issues, then he can wait as long as he wants to have the surgery. He may never need it. If he is not the same player, then he will need it sooner to try to continue his career. Microfracture surgery success depends on the size of the defect and where they can get cartilage to replace the missing part. Those details are private though. Younger pro athletes tend to heal quicker/better.


One thing though, is that if you have want factor is that if Jack has a very low level of pain because of the knee right now, then a second injury could really knock him out of the line up. To prevent that, his conditioning and strength training need to be top notch.


A couple of things specific to Myles Jack:


1. He tore his lateral meniscus. In the knee joint, the most stress/weight bearing from regular running and jumping is put on the medial meniscus. The lateral meniscus is more important for changing direction and lateral movement. So that should limit the amount of "wear and tear" near the current chondral defect/injury.


2. Given that though, I'm sure most teams would have wanted to see him play, do the combine, or pro day after the injury. Since he did not do it, some teams may have took that as him not being healthy. It could have just been a game by his agent too, that he was still projected as a top #10 pick, so why take the chance of a pro day hurting his stock. He probably didn't foresee Jack saying the microfracture statement.


3. After the injury, Jack dropped out of school for a number of months to take on professional level rehab and training. He also skipped the combine and pro day. If that was done correctly, he could actually be closer to NFL level conditioning needs and more well rested than a normal rookie who has no breaks.

Friend, this post is logical, methodical, and quite informative. I don't think, given those circumstances, that you are qualified to post on the particular message board. Think more knee jerk reaction, pontificating, and emotional next time, and you might just be close.


In other words, excellent post. Thanks for the info!

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Jags  coaches........................... please do not tear up Dante's other ACL  or  Jalen's other knee  in practice.  Thanks ! 

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Rpr, nice one mate. Wholly analyzed

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Success is a journey, not a destination.  Go all out Mighty Jaguars.

Dr. James Andrews, who examined Myles Jack in December, told the UCLA LB today that he does not need micro-fracture surgery.

 

If Dr. Andrews said it in December why did Myles Jack say one day before the draft he may need surgery?

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