Hip surgery might sideline Backstrom for 6 months

Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom will have surgery on Friday in Vail, Colo., to address two cysts on the bony area of his left hip.

Acting General Manager Tom Lynn said that in a worst-case scenario Backstrom, 31, could be out for six months, into training camp time. Lynn, though, said a more "average" timetable is three to five months.

The operation will be performed by Dr. Marc Philippon, the same orthopedic surgeon forward Marian Gaborik had for his two hip surgeries -- last May on his right hip and in January on his left hip.

Until Philippon performs the surgery, the extent of the damage, and a clearer picture of Backstrom's recovery time, will not be known.

Still, even that average span Lynn spoke of is a timeframe that on the high end goes into September -- or the start of Wild training camp.

about 1 year ago nathaneide 4 comments 0 recs |

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Hmmmm

Does anyone else feel that they should just go in and do the other side at the same time? I think we went through this with Gaborik already….

http://www.hockeywilderness.com

by BReynolds on Apr 22, 2009 10:44 AM CDT reply actions

Talked to my orthopedist about this

They HATE to do both hips at the same time, just like they hate to do both knees/ankles at the same time. Apparently it makes rehab much more difficult and creates a much higher failure rate.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on Apr 22, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions