Chiefs NFL Besties
By Laddie Morse
Justin Houston may be harder to predict. Houston’s injury, at first called a knee sprain, actually came as a result of a hyper-extension that saw his knee bending forward in a collision with a teammate. He had ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) plus LCL (lateral collateral ligament) surgeries on his left knee.
"“ACL reconstruction surgery uses a graft to replace the ligament. The most common grafts are autografts using part of your own body, such as the tendon of the kneecap (patellar tendon) or one of the hamstring tendons. ACL surgery is usually done by making small incisions in the knee and inserting instruments for surgery through these incisions (arthroscopic surgery). In some cases, it is done by cutting a large incision in the knee.”"
"“First, a tunnel is reamed at the femoral attachment site, slightly proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle. We then secure the graft at this location with an interference screw in the prepared tunnel. The graft is then passed under the superficial layer of the iliotibial band and the lateral aponeurosis of the long head of the biceps femoris. Next, a tunnel is reamed through the fibular head, starting laterally at the exact attachment site of the LCL on the fibular head, and exits on the medial aspect of the fibular styloid just distal to the popliteofibular ligament. The graft is then passed through this. The graft is placed under tension, the knee is flexed to 20 degrees and a valgus reduction force is applied. A screw is then used to attach the graft in the fibular head.”"
Justin Houston plays left defensive linebacker who not only runs down running backs coming out of the backfield but… because he plays on that left side he must round that corner where a 320 pound lineman usually dumps his whole weight on him as he makes his move towards the quarterback. Houston is not only bearing his own weight, but the weight of a behemoth as he plants that left leg and pushes off.
Perhaps it is just as revealing to note that I have had two such surgeries… back in the 1960s when arthroscopic surgical techniques were not yet available… but nevertheless, I know first hand how difficult it is to recover from these kinds of injuries and resulting procedures.
Because of progress, 2016 offers many updated techniques in the medical process so, I am optimistic about Justin Houston’s return. However, I am also realistic. It’s not like Derrick Johnson’s return… nor like Jamaal Charles return. Each position on the field requires a specific set of “moves” required to play a position and D.J. and J.C. won’t be having to carry any offensive linemen on their backs..
Houston may have to support the load that comes when torquing the lower half of his body around the RT corner along with the rest of his body but also be able to deal with the ebb and flow weight shifting changes that come with being pushed one way one moment, and another way the next.
If Justin Houston is never the same, it would not surprise me. I hope Kansas City Chiefs fans are ready for that. We’ll find out soon enough if Dee Ford is the next great Kansas City Chiefs linebacker. Here’s hoping.
What do you think Addict fans? Will Houston return just in time to help his teammates on their way to a Super Sunday… or are his best days behind him?