2nd rehab longer, more intense for Hummel

Journal and Courier—Lafayette, Ind.—February 23, 2012

Dr. David Altchek is confident Purdue fans will see a healthy Robbie Hummel play basketball during the 2011-2012 season.

The Hospital for Special Surgery New York-based surgeon repaired Hummel's second torn anterior cruciate ligament last November after Hummel was injured Oct. 16, 2010, in a season-opening practice drill.

"Rob absolutely has done everything I have asked of him, and more," Altchek said. "He is a very good healer, which he doesn't have control over. He also is an incredibly focused young man. He just gets it done. He also benefits from a really good training staff at Purdue -- it's an amazing job they have done with him."

Altchek's optimism for Hummel's return to college ball centers on the limited cartilage damage the student-athlete sustained as a result of his second ACL tear. While Altchek repaired some cartilage, the surgeon predicts Hummel "should get all the way back to 100 percent."

Hummel's rehab team has included Altchek, Dr. Donald Shelbourne, who performed surgery when the player first tore his ACL on Feb. 24, 2010, Purdue basketball trainer Jeff Stein and several others involved with Purdue sports medicine.
Hummel's father, Glenn, began a fact-gathering mission when Robbie sustained a second torn ACL in an eight-month period.

Glenn Hummel, whose brother, Paul, is an anesthesiologist in Las Vegas, talked with several professional basketball general managers and sports medicine experts before deciding who would perform Robbie Hummel's second surgery. Shelbourne was involved in the selection process. When Glenn Hummel compiled lists of possible surgeons, Altchek's name repeatedly appeared.

There was an immediate connection with Altchek when patient and doctor met. "I went out to see him and felt comfortable with him and liked the facility," Robbie Hummel said. "It was an easy decision."

The full story originally appeared on jconline.com.