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2016 needs to just give it up already. I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial here: this has been a terrible, very bad and no good year. Yeah, the Sharks made the Stanley Cup Final but then they lost in six games and all meaning was — okay, sorry. While certainly much more important things have happened this year (this month, even), now the NHL is getting its visit from The Year From Hell.
Steven Stamkos is “out indefinitely” after being diagnosed with a lateral meniscus tear. The recovery time isn’t terrible — anywhere from 2-8 weeks — unless he’s damaged anything else in his knee in the process. One potential diagnosis:
Those patients with minor lateral meniscus tears that are managed conservatively can usually expect to return to sport or activity in approximately 2 – 4 weeks. For moderate tears that are managed conservatively return to sport or activity may take 4 – 6 weeks or longer.
Minor lateral meniscus tears that are managed surgically can sometimes return to sport or activity within 4 – 6 weeks, although most surgical repairs (especially when the meniscus tear is moderate to severe) will usually require a rehabilitation period of 6 – 8 weeks or longer. If there is damage to other structures in the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament, rehabilitation may require an extended period. It is important that lateral meniscus injuries are managed appropriately, as inappropriate treatment may lead to the development of early knee osteoarthritis.
As a fan of hockey, it’s terrible when great players get injured. Young star Jack Eichel is already on the shelf, Jonathan Huberdeau is out for a while, Johnny Gaudreau is hurt and we don’t know what the deal is with Anze Kopitar right now. And that’s not to mention Melker Karlsson’s (hopefully) minor injury.
And those are just the three I remember. I’m sure there are other players on the shelf right now, too. This has already been a crappy year, but can’t the damn grim reaper leave our hockey players alone? Screw you, 2016. You’re the worst.