Staiger To Return Shortly

[Jeremy]

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State sophomore basketball player Lucca Staiger underwent surgery on his knee this afternoon. Team orthopedic surgeon Tom Greenwald examined the inflammation in his right knee and found minimal structural damage. Greenwald expects Staiger to return to full activity without affecting his performance significantly.

His status is week-to-week, but it will likely be three weeks before he is able to participate in full practice workouts.

“The news is as good as it possibly could be given the circumstances,” ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. “Now it will be a week-to-week thing when he can return. Lucca’s spirits are high and the outcome of the surgery is very positive.”

A native of Blaustein, Germany, Staiger injured his knee on Oct. 17 and has not participated in practice since.

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[jaretac]

Also heard that Ross's surgery went well. Hopefully we can add a couple of Cyclone victories tomorrow and keep the good news coming.

[SeattleClone]

I'm glad to hear Lucca's knee looked ok, but I really really really hope this doesn't turn into one of those season-long lingering injuries that keeps him from being 100% all year and then he quits after the season is over. We are Cyclones after all.

[C.John]

LA LA LA LA I'm not listening to you Seattleclone...

[TOMMY BOY]

YES!
basketball gods!! basketball gods!!
thank you.

[cgwarrior33]

Originally Posted by SeattleClone

I'm glad to hear Lucca's knee looked ok, but I really really really hope this doesn't turn into one of those season-long lingering injuries that keeps him from being 100% all year and then he quits after the season is over. We are Cyclones after all.

Unfortunately...it will. Basically at this point, it is how much pain he can tolerate. Basketball players put soo much stress on their lower body joints. You can do all the strength training you wants, but the fact of the matter is, hardwood floors tear bodies down. I was basically in the same boat when I saw Greenwald earlier this fall. He cleaned my meniscus and other parts of my knee up last April and was still getting the same pains and catching as if I had torn my meniscus again. It was the same thing, a lot of inflammation and irritation. The positive is that since you know there is no damage, you are just looking at pain control. My coach and trainer work very close with each other and basically shut me down sometimes.

Unfortunately, it is looking as though the extra practice Lucca got in August may not have allowed his body to recover from the wear and tear of his summer schedule. I do have confidence that the ISU training staff will make sure that he will be able to make it through the season. I know I am just glad this is my last year college sports and I won't have to deal with the wear and tear of preseason and a season on my body.