Home » News » Jaren Jackson Jr. – Meniscus Tear Left Knee: Doctor Q’s Analysis

Jaren Jackson Jr. – Meniscus Tear Left Knee: Doctor Q’s Analysis

Stars, highlights and stats make us dream every day in the NBA. But if all these athletes perform on the floors every evening, it is also because their exceptional bodies are constantly monitored, massaged and examined. Thus, Dr. Q, a medical student by day and NBA supporter at night, has set up his practice at TrashTalk to decipher and analyze all the ailments of our stars of the orange ball. Sprain, tear, fracture, dislocation… the medical examination will allow us to understand all the injuries of the Great League. Today, it’s Jaren Jackson Jr. who walks over to the doc’s table, following a meniscus tear in his left knee.

A second year medical student and professor, Dr. Q is passionate about the human body, who himself has been able to test numerous injuries by being the victim of what is called sports bad luck. Fascinated by anatomy and determined to excel as a future sports doctor, he already participated in demonstrations in hospitals at the age of 10 and observed in the operating room from the age of 13. Dr. Q will thus share his knowledge and research on TrashTalk, to learn more and more about injuries in the world of basketball.

The Grizzlies entered the bubble with a knife between their teeth, and with people at the door. Their first matches were more complicated, three losses, and the pack from behind which is approaching. A little yell of veterans and we go back? Yes. But not all of it: Memphis fans are now mourning Jaren Jackson Jr., their nugget having left them until the end of the season. In the last game, Jaren injured the same knee that had made him miss nine games before confinement. Meniscus tear for the strong winger: we land and analyze JJJ’s knees in detail.

Menisci: what are they? We had already discussed the subject in depth with Zion at the start of the season, we will still make some reminders. The menisci are wedges in the joint, they act as shock absorbers and help protect cartilage and bones. We have two per knee, one internal and one external. Jaren was injured when he fell after contact in the air: his meniscus absorbed everything and tore on contact.

How do we repair? Three solutions to repair a meniscus tear. First solution: conservative treatment, we do not operate, physiotherapist and rest, hoping that the knee heals on its own. Second solution: operate and sew, which allows the meniscus to be preserved as long as possible but is often longer and difficult in terms of healing. Third option: operate and remove the damaged part. The last option is often preferred because it is faster and very efficient in the short term. The problem is in the long term: we remove the meniscus and increase the risk of osteoarthritis and wear of the cartilage. The surgeon decides according to the state of the menisci: damaged part of the meniscus, particular rupture …

The consequences of that? In general things are going well, and we have several examples of players who have come back very well from this type of injury. Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, all are still in good shape today after meniscus problems a few seasons ago. Zion Williamson is still very watched and limited in terms of playing time, a consequence of his fragility and his very particular physique.

So, what about JJJ: a trip to the infirmary and we forget everything? Again, yes… and no. The strong winger had already had an alert in February: sprain and nine missed matches, on the same knee. It is never very reassuring when the same knee sends several alarm signals like this. In general, that means that a simple rehabilitation will not be enough, it is necessary to make a complete technical control, and to reinforce all the physical deficiencies of the player. The most worrying behind that? The right knee has not always been on top either …

Jaren Jackson Jr.: golden potential and… cardboard knees? JJJ had finished his rookie year in February, the fault of a contusion of the right quadriceps which was slow to heal. A few months later, at the start of the 2019-2020 fiscal year: slight sprained right knee and a missed match. Quadriceps, knee, no connection? If so, even a very large report. The quadriceps is the largest muscle in the leg and has a huge role in helping stabilize the knee. A muscle defect is a significant cause of instability in a joint: the muscles assist the ligaments to protect and stabilize. This is the reason why Jaren will need a complete and very thorough rehabilitation.

We project ourselves a little ? 2020-2021 season, JJJ has recovered, his meniscus has been operated, he is in shape for the recovery. He plays the first part of the season, makes dreams come true in more mature, stronger Grizzlies. February, Twitter notification: Adrian Wojnarowski: “Jaren Jackson Jr. out for 2 months for sprained left knee following contact”. Back to the doc for the same observation: his knee is not stable enough, he was unable to take advantage of the time away from the floors to strengthen himself enough. This projection is pessimistic, of course, but possible. There is another possible future, and it is of course the one we wish for him, the one where Jaren strengthens himself, works with the right specialists, and becomes even stronger, chaining the seasons to 75 matches before spinning in Playoffs every year at the Memphis Cubs.

The season is over for the sophomore, who can only encourage his teammates for the last matches before the Playoffs. This stop will be very beneficial for JJJ who will be able to take the time to work with specialists to get back to the best of his ability. Once his knee has healed, he will be able to work on his body, to strengthen himself and hope to chain seasons to more than 60 matches. He has talent in his hands, a team full of promise, and is lucky to have a physique that will be easier to prepare than Zion. Rest, work and rehabilitation and we can hope to recover a Jaren even stronger than before for next season.

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