Robert Watkins, MD, operated on Wizards center Dwight Howard's lower back Nov. 30, according to The Washington Post.
Here are four highlights:
1. In October, Mr. Howard was diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. He received injections to relieve the pain and missed seven games following the diagnosis.
2. However, the pain did not subside. Dr. Watkins performed an L4-L5 lumbar microdiscectomy. Mr. Howard underwent a similar procedure in 2012; Dr. Watkins also performed that surgery to repair a herniated disc.
3. The Wizards do not have a set time for Mr. Howard's return. The team announced they would reevaluate the center in three months.
4. Dr. Watkins is a board-certified spine surgeon and co-director of the Marina Spine Clinic in Marina Del Rey, Calif.