Sixers’ Bynum to sit out three weeks to rest knee

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/sixers-bynum-to-sit-out-three-weeks-to-rest-knee

Agence France-Presse · Wednesday, October 3, 2012 · 4:55 pm

Reuters file photo

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum will sit out the next three weeks to make certain he has fully recovered from off-season therapy on his knees, the NBA club said on Monday.
The move was taken as a precaution after Bynum felt discomfort during a workout. He was diagnosed by a doctor with a bone bruise on his right knee following non-surgical Orthokine treatments last month in Germany.
“It happened a few days ago,” Bynum said. “I was working out and I just kind of told (team trainers) that I was feeling a little bit uncomfortable, and they told me to take the time to let the (therapy) do its work.”
Bynum was traded to the 76ers from the Los Angeles Lakers in the four-team deal last August that sent Dwight Howard from Orlando to the Lakers. Bynum averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds a game last season.
Bynum will miss all seven of the 76ers’ pre-season exhibition games but take part in conditioning exercises and should be ready for the team’s NBA season opener October 31 against visiting Denver.
“I feel a lot better,” Bynum said. “The Orthokine is working. There hasn’t been swelling in my knees. Everybody that has this procedure goes through this, having to get their legs strong and get back out there on the court.”
Bynum’s treatment, intended to combat osteoarthritis, is not approved in the United States but has been used by Lakers star Kobe Bryant and New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez and involves concentrating plasma-rich platelet cells in the injured area to speed the healing process.
Golf star Tiger Woods also has undergone similar therapy.
The 76ers signed veteran NBA big man Mikki Moore as a fill-in for Bynum. Moore has averaged 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds a game in 564 NBA appearances.