Yao Ming undergoes surgery on his left ankle
Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming's career, which began with spectacular hope and promise, could be facing its greatest threat. Nearly two months after suffering a hairline fracture in his left ankle, the Chinese superstar finally went under the knife on Thursday;
a move that could potentially put an end to his NBA career.
The prolific centre, who has been quite vocal about retiring if he cannot stay healthy, hinted that the end might be near.
“I know this will be another long rehab,” the 30-year-old Yao said in a statement. “But I'm looking forward to beginning my recovery. I will use this time to consider all of my options, and will make a decision regarding my career plans as I get closer to
the end of my rehab.”
Yao was on the sidelines all of last season as he recovered from foot surgery, and Houston were hoping that he could add spice to their season credentials this time around. The 30-year old has played just five games this season, and that too with a 24-minute
time string attached.
Calamity struck the superstar, when an ankle injury after a game against the Washington Wizards in November, turned out to be a stress fracture. To make matters worse, it occurred in a different bone than the one he had been healing for the whole of last
season.
Team doctor Tom Clanton performed the procedure in Houston, and Yao is not expected to be able to start rehabilitation at least for three to four months, due to the pins that are inserted to strengthen the cracked area.
The Chinese star was the first pick of the 2002 NBA draft. In a glittering career spanning over eight years, Yao has been a seven-time All-Star. Yet, Yao’s romance with injuries dates almost as far back as his career, mostly to his left foot and ankle. The
dazzling centre has missed all or parts of six consecutive seasons with bone injuries.
Now with the contract termination with Houston looming at the end of the season, the surgery might prove to be the last straw for Yao. The fact that his franchise has already requested for a disabled player salary exception, may force him to finally call
it a day.
The surgery will keep the beloved face of China’s sporting ambitions off court for at least 10 months.
“You knew it was coming,” Coach Rick Adelman said. “You just hope, with the surgery, that he can get back to where he can walk around and be ready to make whatever decision he needs to make at that point.”
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