Olajuwon Has Surgery for Eye Fracture
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HOUSTON — Houston Rockets center Akeem Olajuwon underwent successful surgery today to repair damage to his right eye.
“There were no surprises, and with proper healing everything should go as planned,” said Dr. Robert Wilkins, who performed the surgery.
Olajuwon, an All-Star starter the past four years, should be able to resume workouts with the team in eight weeks, Rockets General Manager Steve Patterson said.
The bone surrounding Olajuwon’s eye was broken on Jan. 3 when he was elbowed by Chicago’s Bill Cartwright while battling for a rebound.
Surgeons inserted a piece of Teflon shield to help repair the damaged bone structure around Olajuwon’s eye.
“Tissue had herniated into the sinus and we removed it with no problem,” Wilkins said. “We inserted a Teflon plate approximately two inches by one inch.”
Olajuwon was expected to leave the hospital by Tuesday.
Patterson said Olajuwon will wear protective goggles when he returns to the court.
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