Dr. Matthew M. Roberts Discusses How an Athlete like Yankees Short Stop Derek Jeter can Come Back from an Ankle Injury

SiriusXM Sports/Power Poundstone Radio with Derek Poundstone—April 3, 2013

Orthopedic Surgeon Matthew M. Roberts, M.D., is a member of the Foot and Ankle Service at Hospital for Special Surgery.

In this segment of Power Poundstone Radio, Dr. Matthew Roberts discusses injuries in older athletes, such as the ankle fracture experienced by Derek Jeter, and the athlete’s prospects for returning to play. Although Dr. Roberts is not treating Derek Jeter, he offers some general information regarding the type of ankle injury experienced by the sports star and what is involved in its recovery.

“Breaking a bone is a big deal, a big enough deal to require surgery (a plate and screws.)  In general, bones take about six weeks to heal but that is not the end of the story.  The individual will then need to start weight-bearing activity to strengthen the healing bone.  It’s possible to do too much too fast. In the case of Derek Jeter, it sounds like they are not going to let him start playing until he’s ready.  He’ll be back—it’s a long season.” 

Dr. Roberts does not believe that the sports star’s age (38) is a factor in the length of time it will take Derek Jeter to recover before he resumes his position on the field.

Listen to the segment at Power Poundstone Radio.