Wizards guard will miss camp, start of the season
Nine weeks after signing a six-year, $111 million contract with the Wizards, Gilbert Arenas has undergone surgery on his troublesome left knee for a third time.
Arenas had an arthroscopic lavage procedure Wednesday morning at Sibley Hospital, clearing “debris after saline solution was washed through the knee,” according to Wizards physician Dr. Marc Connell, who performed the operation.
“After Gilbert’s normal course of rehabilitation was ramped up, he experienced some swelling and discomfort in his knee,” said Connell. “A subsequent MRI showed that the knee is structurally sound … This was a proactive procedure that will enhance his rehabilitation process.”
Arenas said he hopes for a December return. Antonio Daniels and Dee Brown will assume the point guard duties.
“We’re not projecting any kind of time frame. It all depends on how his rehab goes,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “A realistic time frame is whenever he gets back out there. The knee will tell us.”
Grunfeld said that the Wizards signed Arenas knowing there was a possibility that he would not be able to begin the season on the court.
“We were looking at the big picture with Gilbert,” said Grunfeld. “He’s 26 years old and we’re confident that he will be able to return and resume his career.”
Gil tracker
April 2007 » Arenas has surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. He misses the rest of the season.
Nov. 2007 » Five days after scoring 27 points in a win over Minnesota, Arenas discovers he has a partial tear of his left medial meniscus.
April 2008 » Arenas returns to lineup, but has soreness and mixed results. He shuts down his season after Game 4 of the Wizards opening round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
