Many Bulls Fans Despondent Over Latest Rose Injury
(CBS) -- After Bulls guard Derrick Rose's latest knee injury, CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports shock and disbelief pretty much sums up the reaction from most Bulls fans.
But medical experts insist Rose can come back yet again.
News of the latest Derrick Rose knee injury was enough to leave fans at Timothy O'Toole's crying in their beer.
"It's the last thing you want to hear," said Bulls fan Deron Powell. "Hometown boy, fellow South Sider, and to see him go down again, I'm not optimistic."
First, Rose tore his ACL. Then, in November 2013, a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Dr. Mark Bowen at the North Shore Orthopaedic Institute says, "It's one of the most common orthopaedic problems that there really is."
The meniscus is the spongy cartilage that cushions the knee joint. That time, Rose had it repaired, stitched back together, requiring a longer recovery.
"You want to make sure that the meniscus has time to heal and the stitches don't break," Dr. Bowen said.
But this time, he could simply choose to have the loose cartilage removed.
"There are athletes that have played within a couple of weeks after having arthroscopic surgery to remove part of the meniscus," Dr. Bowen said.
Doctors are optimistic Rose can fully recover, but some fans are not.
"It's a career-ender for this guy," said Bulls fan Curtis Mitchell. "He's done. He's a china doll. Every year, year after year. You can't count on him."
Rose and his doctors have yet to decide which form of cartilage surgery he'll choose.
If he decides on removal of the loose material, there's an outside chance he could return for the playoffs.