Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol will undergo a procedure Thursday to address the tendonosis in both of his knees, the team announced Wednesday. The procedure, known as the FAST (Focused Aspiration of Scar Tissue) technique, involves a probe being inserted into the knee that "directs ultrasonic energy to eliminate scar tissue without damaging healthy tissue," according to a team release.
"After talking to several specialists, I'm going to proceed to regenerate both of my patellar tendons and working hard to get back to my 100%," Gasol wrote on Twitter.
The Lakers will issue a timetable for Gasol's recovery after the FAST procedure is completed by Dr. Steven Yoon of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group. Gasol missed more games in 2012-13 because of injury than during any season of his 12-year career.
"My knees are being an issue," Gasol said during the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. "My patellar tendons are suffering."
The soon-to-be 33-year old forward said he is experiencing more pain in his left knee than his right. His left leg is the one he jumps off of.
"It's more than tendinitis, it's tendonosis," Gasol said. "There's a degeneration of the tissue, and it's something that I've dealt with all year. So I'll have to do something to regenerate the tissue so I don't have to play with this pain."
The forward also added that he was suffering from calcification on the insertion of his patellar tendon in his knees. The four-time All-Star averaged 13.7 points on 46.6 percent shooting this season, both career lows, along with 8.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He finished the season on a high note, however, registering three triple-doubles in his final seven games.
The Lakers have Gasol under contract for one more season and are scheduled to pay the injured big man $19.3 million.
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