Justin Houston: Using The Internet To Diagnose Star LB’s Injury

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not that much of a surprise considering the swelling in his right elbow didn’t allow for an MRI o Monday, but none the less, it has been reported that Chiefs’ star outside linebacker Justin Houston probably won’t play against the Denver Broncos this weekend.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted the news, though I will urge you to keep in mind that it isn’t being officially reported by the Chiefs just yet:

The skinny on the injury is that it’s a dislocated elbow, and even though I’m not a doctor, thanks to the power of the internet (and WebMD) I can pretend to be one here on AA.

According to WebMD (a source I trust more than most doctors), here’s the type of recovery you can expect from a dislocated elbow:

"Generally, this injury heals well. After watching closely for 3-5 days, the bone doctor will have you begin gentle movement exercises of your elbow. Usually, recovery occurs without any lasting effects."

That seems to be a pretty good diagnosis, though I doubt the pain would be gone and range of movement would be back in time for Sunday.

There’s something else to consider though.

Apparently there are essentially two types of elbow dislocation. For more on that, let’s turn to Daphne M. Beingessner, M.D.,who’s an Associate Professor at the The University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Here’s what she had to say on elbow dislocation via UW’s website:

"Elbow dislocations can be either simple or complex. Higher energy elbow dislocations are often associated with fractures of various parts of the elbow. These higher energy injuries are defined as “complex” elbow dislocations. An elbow dislocation is defined as “simple” if there is no associated fracture.  Simple dislocations typically do not require surgery. However when a fracture has occurred the elbow may remain unstable if surgery is not performed. The goal of treatment in both types of injury is to restore a functional range of motion and a pain-free joint for the patient."

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you if Houston’s elbow dislocation was “simple” or “complex”, and in my estimation, that’s really what will matter here.

At least from what I can gather, if there was no fracture, the recovery should be quick and rather effective. Perhaps we won’t see Houston against Denver, but I would bet something valuable or noteworthy to me that we’d see him sooner rather than later. If there was a fracture though—and an MRI will show that—at least per doctor Beingessner, that could mean surgery. Here’s what she said about rehabbing from that, which would obviously be the worst case scenario:

"Typically the patient cannot perform any heavy lifting activities for at least six weeks following surgery.  During the first six weeks to three months the primary focus is on regaining motion.  Following fracture healing and restoration of a functional range of motion strengthening and work-hardening (or preparing the elbow for work activities). exercises are begun. Patients may need to be off work for four to six months or longer depending on the injury and their job requirements."

Losing Houston for an extended period of time would be a huge blow for the Chiefs’ defense, so hopefully, when all is said and done, we’ll find out that Houston only suffered a “simple” dislocation.

It’s going to come down to what the MRI says though, and right now, that’s anybody’s guess.

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Zombo would be Houston’s replacement. In four years in the NFL he has five sacks—four coming in 2010 with the Packers. If neither Houston or Hali can go this Sunday, look for Dezman Moses to join Zombo. He has four career sacks of his own, all coming last season, also with the Packers.

Houston has 11 sacks this season.