Understanding Erik Johnson’s Type of Knee Surgery

Head coach Patrick Roy announced that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had undergone a “knee scope” and would miss 3 to 8 weeks. According to the Denver Post, the procedure was performed on his right knee, which is also the knee he injured just before his second year in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues.

Next: Why is Erik Johnson Cursed?

I’ve had knee injuries from dance, having sprained my MCL twice. According to my doctor, once you’ve injured a knee, it’s easier to injure that same knee again. Johnson’s been good on that knee for six years, but it might be just a smidge weaker than the left. And Johnson plays a physical game.

Erik Johnson has been a tremendous boon to the Colorado Avalanche, and his loss is significant. His strong, graceful play is a large part of the reason he’s my favorite player.

It helps me not worry if I understand a situation as fully as possible. So, let’s look at some general facts from Healthline about arthroscopic knee surgery.

Reasons for Treatment

Arthoscopic knee surgery is a procedure that’s used both for diagnostics and for treatment. When used for treatment, it’s only for minor injuries:

• torn anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments
• torn meniscus (the cartilage between the bones in the knee)
• a patella that is out of position
• pieces of torn cartilage that are loose in the joint
• removal of a Baker’s cyst (a cyst that may develop behind the knee)
• swollen synovium (the lining in the joint)

Coach Roy called the procedure a “knee scope.” That’s typically another name for  arthroscopic lateral retinacular release, which is indicated for a patella that’s out of position, according to Washington University Orthopedics.This occurs when the thigh muscles keep pulling the knee cap toward the outside, causing a strain on the inside tissues, called the medial retinaculum.

At one point I saw a tweet that Johnson’s injury was related to his patella, but that’s not confirmed by the Avalanche’s PR team or even the Denver Post. I’m giving the above information because of Roy’s use of the term “scope.” While the surgery is completely different obviously, the recovery is not.

Recovery

The first few days after the procedure are the worst, of course. There’s swelling and pain, especially in the first 24 hours. Surely yesterday wasn’t a happy day for poor EJ, and he’s probably not loving life today either.

Most patients are able to return to strenuous work within four to eight weeks. How fit the patient is, how well he follows post-operative instructions and how hard he works at rehabilitation are factors in determining how quickly the patient recovers.

Erik Johnson is golden. He’s young. And as a professional athlete, he’s in prime physical condition. Indeed, his summer workout regimen put him in especially excellent fitness. He’s certain to have team-sponsored medical help both after the surgery and during rehabilitation.

Johnson will also have the absolute top in physical therapists through the team. I predict he’ll be back closer to three than eight weeks. However, the most important aspect is that he’s healed 100%. The Colorado Avalanche’s 2014-15 season isn’t worth Johnson’s career.

A Little Speculation About the Injury

No one has said when Johnson received the injury. It’s likely a cumulative injury. He did miss two practices in mid-December, though. It was right after a physical match-up with the St. Louis Blues, when the Avalanche had four days between games.

The most obvious signs came last week. Johnson missed a practice, and it was remarked upon by the media. Prior to that, his production had dropped off minutely. I noticed, but it could also be explained away as the vagaries of a team game.

I’m guessing Johnson tweaked his knee sometime in December. Because of what looks like a very high pain tolerance, he was able to push through and even excel at playing. However, the injury may have become aggravated in the very physical game the Avalanche played in St. Louis on January 19. It was a grind of a game, and Johnson was very physical.

So, essentially, the St. Louis Blues are the Anti-Christ for Erik Johnson and the Colorado Avalanche.

Like I said before, Erik Johnson is young and extraordinarily healthy. He has the best physical therapy available to him that exists. His recovery from this injury should be swift, and he should be back supporting the team in record time.

Considering his start, he can even still have a career season.