Chase Budinger out Indefinitely Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves issued the following press release Tuesday morning:

Chase Budinger Injury Update

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Chase Budinger underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to perform a meniscectomy. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Pensacola, Florida.

Budinger will be sidelined indefinitely. An update to Budinger’s status will be provided when appropriate.

Not a ton of information there, but here's what we know:

A meniscectomy is the removal of all or part of the meniscus, which is cartilage protecting the knee joint. An arthroscopic removal of part of the meniscus usually requires a 4-6 week rehabilitation, and the knee should function normally.  We hope.

If the entire meniscus is removed, we are looking at more of a Brandon Roy situation.

We don't know whether Budinger had only a small part of the meniscus removed, or had the entire meniscus removed. The essential question appears to be whether the damaged part of Budinger's meniscus includes the part that has blood flow.  Or something.  If not, this may not be a big deal long-term. If so, there might be problems.

However, I know nothing about this and should stop talking about it.

Since I know nothing about surgery or medicine, I am going to stop talking about it. Instead, here are a few links to information about meniscectomies.

University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Here's a Youtube of a meniscectomy.

For his own health and the good of the Timberwolves, hopefully Budinger can make a complete recovery from this injury.  We'll update as we hear anything.