Zlatan Ibrahimovic went under the knife, as communicated by AC Milan through their official website. The prognosis is estimated at around 7 to 8 months and the knee surgery was done to "permanently resolve the instability of the joint through reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament".
Dr. Loris Perticarini, orthopedist who works in the sports traumatology and robotic prosthetic surgery unit of the Poliambulanza Foundation of Brescia, said these words regarding Zlatan's condition:
"This type of surgery? It is the reconstruction of the cruciate, due to a previous sprain involving the cruciate ligament. The knee suffered from chronic instability, had to be corrected. In these cases, a peripheral plastic is associated in arthroscopy, i.e. a protection for the reconstructed knee: in this way the stabilization is strengthened. As for the meniscus, then, in the event of an injury, there are two ways: you can remove the damaged area or repair it, and that's what was done with Ibra. Meniscal repair requires long recovery times, but since the reconstruction of the cruciate would still have involved a recovery of 7-8 months, it was correct to opt for this solution."
On the recovery:
"They are in line with the timing envisaged for operations of this type. To simplify, Ibra's knee was reconstructed in a similar way to Chiesa's, with accessory surgical gestures: recovery times are almost identical. In 7-8 months Zlatan will be able to return to the group. Seeing him again first is difficult. With a reconstructed crusader and meniscal repair there are no shortcuts."
On what Ibrahimovic's goal is:
"Well, you don't undergo this type of intervention to be a manager. It is clearly aimed so he can be able to return to the pitch."
Are there any possible complications for Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"The timing of rehabilitation could affect any associated cartilage problems. Net of these factors, once healed there should be no problems. The stability of the knee does not change, it is the support given by the muscles that affects. But in this respect, Ibra is a guarantee."
Are there links between the inflammation of the Achilles tendon and the operated knee?
"Not necessarily. But, one thing is sure: these months can help, tendinopathies often heal during therapy."
Dr. Loris Perticarini continued:
"Ibra will certainly be able to play more often. How often will not depend on the knee but on other factors such as endurance or muscle strength, which have their weight in a 40-year-old athlete."
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