Adrian Peterson 'defied all odds,' Dr. Andrews says

[fleetus macmullitz]

Like any NFL watcher, I found what Adrian Peterson did remarkable. Here's his 'cutter'.
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World-renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews believes Adrian Peterson could be even better in 2013. And that's after the Minnesota Vikings running back ran for 2,097 yards -- the second-most in NFL history -- this season after tearing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in December 2011.

"I say an athlete after (an) ACL (tear) is much better the second year back than the first year back," Andrews told the Pioneer Press. "First year back is a wash. It hasn't been a wash for him, obviously. After 24 months, (an athlete is) a lot more mature and confident.
"Who knows? Adrian may be better next year than this year."
Andrews explained that Peterson was the perfect specimen.
"He has defied all odds," Andrews said. "If you operate on the right athlete, it makes you look pretty darn good as a physician. Adrian was that genetic athlete who could do what he's done. There are a few I've treated. One of them was Bo Jackson. Bo was a natural athlete. He didn't have to lift weights growing up. Adrian Peterson is like that."

Andrews added that Peterson's speedy recovery is even more significant considering the position he plays.
"Running backs don't come back within the first year like that in the NFL," Andrews said. "They may come back and play a little bit. They don't do what he did. Nobody's ever done that if you look at the statistics of players returning to the NFL. We did a study. Running backs are the hardest to get back, period.

"The average NFL player ... only about a little over 50 percent are still playing after two years. We say we have 90 to 90-plus percent success with (knee) surgeries (in non-NFL cases). But we're talking about playing in the NFL. It's not 90 percent, believe me."
Andrews didn't hesitate when asked if he was rooting for Peterson to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record: "Oh, hell, yeah."

Basically, Andrews confirmed what we already know: Adrian Peterson is a freak of nature.

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000121668/printable/adrian-peterson-defied-all-odds-dr-andrews-says

[SuperSport]

Go Niners!

[randy]

this guy did my elbow surgery

[GregWeld]

Not only that -- but he's one heck of a nice guy according to my daughters boyfriend that plays CB for them. Lots of these guys get big heads. According to AJ, Adrian is not one of them.

[Ron in SoCal]

Any Pro athlete coming back from major knee ligament replacement surgery has an extreme uphill battle just to make it back into the game. To go through that and perfrom at an all world level is one in a million. Of course, the chance of reinjuring it is high especially in football. My hat's off to the guy.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Originally Posted by randy

this guy did my elbow surgery

Was it hard to get him to do it?

How's your recovery?

[Musclerodz]

Peterson is just a freak of nature just like any other prodigy that found their true calling. He is amazing on the field as well as off. Very humble guy and a Sooner to boot!

[randy]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Was it hard to get him to do it?

How's your recovery?

no. at the time i was playing minor league baseball with the toronto blue jays. I started having a issue and i saw him the next day. Recovery was hard very hard. I came back throwing stronger and harder than ever. Usually in spring training i would come in throwing 87-90. I came in after surgery sitting 89-92 and sometimes 92-94. Whenever the season started i was consistantly low 90s and that year when i really tried to throw hard i was 95-96. My problem is i lost my confidence and sometimes i just couldnt find the strike zone. One thing i never in my life had a problem with.

[Sandbagger]

Peterson probably used a cadaver tendon (if any ) to repair the ACL
Much less intrusion than useing a graff from yourself .
Mine looked like a severed telephone cable . They told me 6 months just to go to work . I was back in three .
But to play that position in the NFL ..incredible