The Minnesota Timberwolves announced late last week that a number of players would be out for the remainder of the season with injuries.
The team announced that Rodney Covington, Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague would all miss the rest of the season. Dr. Silverman recently sat down to address the injuries plaguing these three players.
Rodney Covington
Covington has missed the last 34 games while recovering from a bone bruise in his right knee that he suffered back on December 31. He later suffered a setback, and the team felt it was in everyone’s best interests to shut him down for the year.
“Bone bruises usually heal much faster than this. There is something that is aggravating it. Either there is a biomechanical problem – meaning there is something unstable or out of alignment or mechanically dysfunctional with his gait/knee mechanics. There’s also the possibility that he’s not getting enough Vitamin D. This is a common problem in Minnesota where we don’t receive as much direct sunlight. Vitamin D is an essential factore in bone development and remodeling.”
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose has missed the last four games due soreness and swelling in his right elbow. An MRI later revealed a chip fracture and a loose fragment in his elbow.
“A chip fracture in the elbow most certainly comes from a previous injury. Generally speaking, the elbow may have become unstable and he may have developed posterior lateral rotatory instability. It’s a form of arthritis, and it makes extension of the elbow difficult. Rose is also suffering from chronic ankle instability, and it wouldn’t be surprising to me if this condition was also present.”
Jeff Teague
Teague missed the past four games after aggravating a left foot injury. He received a cortisone injection last week, and he’ll be re-evaluated in about three weeks.
“Everyone knows that cortisone simply diminishes symptoms, it doesn’t fix anything. It only allows you to live with something longer. Whatever is bothering Teague needs to be directly addressed and not masked with cortisone. Hopefully he gets the treatment he needs.
