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'12 CO OT Joey O'Connor (Signed to Ohio State)

Fairly low rate of success. Not a doctor or even close but the microfracture seems like a pretty dramatic surgery. Long recovery time, high rate of future problems.

Even if the surgery goes well, it's only a matter of time before you wear through that cartilage they create.
 
Not necessarily specifically related to O'Connor, because it sounds like he's had some significant work done on his knee. However, I feel like the current coaching staff could be really successful in appealing to kids looking for the kind of atmosphere that O'Connor seems to be on the lookout for.
 
Somebody help me out. What's the deal with micro-fractures? What makes them so bad?

Well hey there, here is a subject I have the extremely unfortunate knowledge about. I am recovering from microfracture surgery in my ankle. The surgury is to repair screwed up cartilage, which takes longer than any other piece of tissue to repair since no blood flows through or around it. They need to scrape damaged cartilage and drill tiny holes into the bone surrounding the area so that your bone marrow secretes stem cells and regrows new cartilage.

The biggest problem with the surgery, even if it goes as perfectly as possible, is that the new cartilage is not the stronger, more durable and padded hyaline cartilage, it is the harder and weaker (more crumbly) fibrocartilage. I had the surgery in September and only began walking in December, and still won't be able to do "impact" sports requiring jumping and running until this summer. It is brutal, and according to the internet a lot of people end up abandoning recreational sports like tennis and jogging because of it...

It sucks.
 
Somebody help me out. What's the deal with micro-fractures? What makes them so bad?

My daughter had the surgery on her elbow last fall due to overuse in gymnastics. The cartilage had deteriorated to the point it was almost bone on bone. I assume its similar with a knee. They removed a bone fragment first & then basically drilled 5 holes into the bone in her bicep so the healthy bone marrow cells would pour out to grow new cartilage in the joint. I think its a fairly accurate description. Her doctor was Vidal from the CU staff. Great, great guy who works with Eric McCarty.
 
I had it on my left knee 8 years ago. It was 2 months in a Continuous Passive Motion machine (8 hours/night), and 2 months on crutches, with NO weight on the leg. I was told I couldn't even rest my left foot on the ground while I was brushing my teeth. It was a 12 month recovery before I could cut while I was running, and have been specifically warned off of any court sports (tennis, basketball, racquetball, squash?, etc).

During the first 9 months my knee hurt worse than it did before surgery. It took about 18-24 months before I felt "normal" again, and probably 36 months before it didn't swell after I went for a run, or played a game of softball. It is a brutal surgery/recovery, and one that probably should not be considered for recreational athletes. I was well past my competitive sports days, but still felt like I "had it". Stupid.

I honestly understand why so many professional athletes never come back from that surgery. It takes a lot of gumption to go through the recovery and therapy. Because most of that therapy consists of staying inactive, it is hard for guys/gals who are used to being active to stick with it.
 
O'Conner, let's see how our new coach does recruiting

Windsor's Joey O'Conner is leaving OSU to play 'closer to home', no decision where yet.
He should be wearing a CU uni next year
 
I would like to see this kid in Boulder. Natural and BIG center. Amazing how often these kids get homesick? It is only a 4/5 year commitment to better their lives. As an adult 4 or 5 years is a blink of an eye
 
Wow I did 7 days in a CPM and then 4 more weeks on crutches. I can't even imagine being in a CPM every night for 2 months.
 
Is it possible that HCMM would not be interested in taking him? Would be a nice victory for him on making headway in state. Praying!
 
Is it possible that HCMM would not be interested in taking him? Would be a nice victory for him on making headway in state. Praying!

If his knee is not right HCMM could very easily not be interested in taking him. Bad knees and being 300lbs playing OL is a bad combination. Could end up being another MTM situation. Max was a good kid and a very highly thought of prospect but he could never get his knees healthy enough to contribute. Tied up a scholly for multiple years that could have gone to another kid.

I don't blame MTM at all, he worked his butt off until it was finally determined medically that it was over but you have to be very carefull. If I'm a coach in this situation I have some serious conversations with the medical staff before making any offers.
 
I hadn't read the earlier pages of the thread about his surgeries. THat is certainly less than ideal. I guess if we were interested we could have him go through a thorough physical before considering an offer. Given how low we are on available spot snot sure in the end if it does make sense to take a shot at him as I originally thought.
 
I'll say CSU or KSU in that order.

The kid couldn't handle Columbus and all the surbanites there. How do you think he feels about the Hill?
He's homesick and he's very likely enrolling in Fort Collins.
 
Coach Mac should offer him a scholarship. He is young guy, he will recover from the surgeries.

Thank you Dr. BB2. Glad to know that you are an orthopedic specialist who has knowledge of Joey's specific condition.

You have had a history of stupid post in the past and this one certainly maintains that expectation.

I am certain that somebody on M2's staff has at least given some consideration to O'Connor and they know a lot more about the situation than we do. For your information the surgery he had is one that has less than consistent or rapid success, especially with guys weighing 300lbs and running into other guys who weigh close to that much.
 
Thank you Dr. BB2. Glad to know that you are an orthopedic specialist who has knowledge of Joey's specific condition.

You have had a history of stupid post in the past and this one certainly maintains that expectation.

I am certain that somebody on M2's staff has at least given some consideration to O'Connor and they know a lot more about the situation than we do. For your information the surgery he had is one that has less than consistent or rapid success, especially with guys weighing 300lbs and running into other guys who weigh close to that much.

Typical arrogant response from you, didn't expect anything else. The guy is young, he will recover from his surgery. And BTW I know about his condition.
 
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