Yao Ming to Undergo Surgery on Foot
July 17, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
Yao Ming, the superstar center for the Houston Rockets and the Chinese national team, has decided undergo surgery on his troublesome left foot. The surgery all but guarantees that he will miss the entire 2009-10 season.
Yao has fractured his left foot twice. A third fracture would likely end Yao’s basketball career. In an attempt to make sure his foot won’t fracture a third time, doctors are going to conduct a bone graft and they will also lower his arch to lower the amount of stress his foot takes on during basketball activities.
While this is obviously bad news for Yao, the Rockets and fans of the Rockets, there is some hope. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a similar procedure and it has let him play the last eight years without suffering a career-ending fracture.
Last season, Yao averaged 19.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in 33.6 minutes. He was able to play in 77 contests and shoot 54.8% from the field and 86.6% at the line.
Yao is being upbeat about the situation.
Said Yao: “I am confident that the path I have chosen is the best one. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me before I can be back on the court, and I am committed to do whatever I can to make my recovery 100 percent successful. I have full confidence I’ll play again.”
Yao Ming Surgery (Image: Zuma Press)
