Knee Injury – A Race Against Time

Djokovic recovered in 25 days from knee surgery – will this lead to a 25th title

Djokovic aims for his 25th title… will he be able to make it ?

After a gruelling five set comeback victory against Francisco Cerundolo in the last 16 of the Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic pulled out of the French Open as his knee seemed to have had enough.  Djokovic had been suffering from knee issues in the past and possibly had an existing meniscal tear which aggravated during the battle against Cerundolo. At 37, Novak is a veteran on the circuit, and he’s been battling through the 2024 season with an eye on clinching his 25th grand slam title but it was not meant to be at the French Open. 

What was done?

After pulling out of the French Open quarter finals, Djokovic immediately set his gaze on a comeback at Wimbledon but to recover in 25 days, his options were limited. So, Djokovic underwent a menisectomy – a procedure in which the troublesome portion of his shock absorber was removed. This was a keyhole surgery and considering there was nothing repaired, he could expedite his return to training.

What happened ?

Djokovic, had a tear of his medial meniscus (a shock absorbing structure on the inside of the knee), his meniscal tear could be considered one of two type, a traumatic tear or a degenerative tear.  Considering his age and history of so many years on the circuit playing competitive Tennis – this may have been a degenerative tear. A tear resulting from cumulative cycles of load on the knee joint and not just a single injury episode.

What’s the next step ?

The troublesome portion of his shock absorber which would have caused Djokovic pain, swelling and catching has gone and this will allow him to compete with no real restriction. But in the long term, with a reduced capacity to handle load in his knee, Djokovic is at a slightly higher risk of developing arthritis in his knee – which might mean more surgeries in the future.

Lost some meniscus but gained a gold

After an injury comeback in Wimbledon, Djokovic pressed forward and completed a dream of winning a Olympic Gold Medal. Probably a worthwhile trade off in the end !