Drew Dossett, MD, a spine surgeon at Carrell Clinic in Dallas, performed spine surgery today on Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder, according to an ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth report.
Here are five things to know about the surgery:
1. Mr. Fielder expects to miss the rest of the season after undergoing a cervical fusion at C5-C6. He was examined last Thursday after experiencing herniated disc symptoms, including weakness in his arm. He first revealed his symptoms around three or four weeks ago and was hoping to recover without surgery, but eventually decided to undergo the procedure.
2. The 30-year-old athlete plans to remain at Carrell Clinic overnight and return home tomorrow to begin recovery. He was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career this past Friday after playing 162 games in four of the five previous seasons.
3. Dr. Dossett is familiar with treating high-level athletes; he a spine consultant for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars hockey team. He is also a member of the National Football League Team Physicians and Major League Baseball Team Physicians Organizations. During his training, Dr. Dossett underwent a one-year fellowship in spine surgery under Robert Watkins, MD, at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
4. Recovery will be a long process for Mr. Fielder, who will need time to heal from surgery and then return to his previous level of play. Dr. Dossett presented on lumbar spinal injuries among athletes at the North American Spine Society annual meeting last year and discussed their options after injury.
5. Other Texas athletic superstars are currently depending on Dr. Dossett to return them to play as well. In December, Dr. Dossett performed spine surgery on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who suffered a disc herniation. According to an NFL news release, Mr. Romo is back on the field now six months after surgery throwing at the Cowboys' Organized Team Activity as part of training camp this week.
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