Giants' Phillips expects long rehab after knee surgery

Kenny Phillips had surgery Tuesday to relieve some of the pain from patellofemoral arthritis in his right knee, a condition that put him on injured reserve last week. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery in Alabama.

"This kind of injury takes a long time to heal," Phillips wrote on his Web site. "It's a long process, I can't even run for four to five months. It's going to be a while before I'm back to 100 percent."

Patellofemoral arthritis is a condition many experts have said could be career-threatening. Microfracture surgery was considered as an option, and judging by his description of the lengthy recovery time that's likely what occurred. The condition cannot be cured or fixed, but surgery can alleviate some of the pain he's likely to suffer for the rest of his career.

Phillips wrote that he won’t be able to be near the team on game days.

"I won’t be at the games on the sidelines. I’ll probably watch at home on TV," he said. "But I’ll be at the facility first thing tomorrow to start my rehab. Nothing major at first, just icing and massages. I might get off these crutches in about 8 weeks."

The Giants don’t believe the injury will be career-threatening, and neither does Phillips.

"I’m going to make a speedy recovery, and I’ll be back better than ever next year," Phillips wrote. "Keep believing and pray for me."

Phillips said he plans on being at the Giants' facility Thursday to begin his long rehabilitation.



(newsday.com)