On June 14, Kawhi Leonard suffered a right knee sprain in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz after a fourth-quarter foul in transition by Joe Ingles. Leonard would miss two free throws, stay in for a full defensive possession, stay in after a timeout, then make two free throws. But then Leonard would sub out for the last time, with 4:35 left to play in the game.
It was revealed on July 13 that Leonard’s injury was a partially torn right ACL that required surgery with no timetable to return, just ahead of the decision that he has to make on a player option for next season. If Leonard opts out, he becomes the most significant free agent on the market by a wide margin. But questions persist about the injury he suffered, whether or not his previous issues with his right leg may have contributed to his injury and what his return-to-play time frame looks like.
I had a conversation with Trong Nguyen, MD, sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA this week to discuss Leonard’s medical situation. Besides specializing in sports-related surgery, Dr. Nguyen was also a Division I volleyball player at UCLA, winning national championships in 1995 and 1996.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
For something like a partial ACL tear, diagnosing that was important. What are the differences between knee sprains that affect the ACL ligament?
DR. NGUYEN: So the grading scale is more of a guideline. Grade ones and grade threes are relatively straightforward in terms of treatment. The grade ones, usually non-operative, the grade threes are typically operative for elite athletes.
