Eagles defensive end Victor Abiamiri hobbled through most of the 2009 season with a knee injury. As it turned out, it was a serious condition.
Serious enough to force him to undergo microfracture surgery in February.
The team disclosed on Friday that Abiamiri needed the aggressive procedure, which attempts to simulate cartilage via the creation of scar tissue. Specifically, trainer Rick Burkholder said that a cut block during an October 18 game against the Raiders took a “divot” out of the cartilage in Abiamiri’s kneecap.
“I’ll be all right,” Abiamiri said, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. “I’m not too worried about it. . . . It’s a tough process to go through. . . . The amount of time it takes to heal up is pretty extensive.”
Still, few players return from microfracture surgery and have long, productive careers. Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow has managed to play at a high level for several seasons after undergoing the procedure, but he’s the exception.
