Stafford might need surgery. FML

Your screen name indicates a clear lack of self-esteem. Tell me about your mother………

Studied Sports Medicine for two and a half years…..worked as a volunteer athletic trainer in college, for experience needed for my degree program…..have seen these types of injuries and studied the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis (how long it will take to rehab and heal) of such injuries and medical procedures associated with repairing internal damages. So, yes I have a pretty solid medical background. I posted a short bio here somewhere if you’re interested…..

1) Kneecap subluxation (dislocated kneecap), no significant internal ligament or tendon damage:
     a) Equivalent to a serious sprain (stretched ligaments and tendons are the definition of a sprain)
     b) Prognosis – 2-4 weeks of light duty and rehab (including physical therapy), NO RUNNING for at least 2 weeks

2) Kneecap subluxation, no significant internal ligament or tendon damage, with displaced or damaged cartilage or bone:
     a) Arthroscopic surgery typically required to remove any bone or cartilage fragments, especially in cases where the dislocation is a repeat injury (as in this case)
     b) Prognosis – 3-4 weeks (depending on the person and how quickly they heal, everyone heals differently, and the extent of the damage repaired) of light duty and rehab (including physical therapy), NO RUNNING for at least 2 weeks

3) Kneecap subluxation, torn or partially torn patellar tendon, significant ligament damage (including tears or partial tears), damaged or deformed quadriceps, or an overly tight lateral retinaculum (usually occurs when a prior dislocation stretched the ligaments, and when they healed the ligaments healed shorter than before, causing the the kneecap to be pulled out of place):
     a) Surgical procedures, potentially including Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy (to repair a damaged or deformed quadriceps muscle that would pull the kneecap at an angle that might cause it to dislocate), Medial Patellofemoral ligament repair (the most commonly torn ligament when the kneecap dislocates), lateral release (to loosen the lateral retinaculum in order to reduce the ligament’s pull on the kneecap), and reattachment of the patellar tendon (if completely ruptured) would most likely be seriously recommended, if not required in order for the knee to heal properly.
     b) Prognosis: Partial tendon tears can be treated with a straight cast for 4-6 weeks. Any of the above surgical procedures will require 4-8 weeks of healing (or longer depending on the person), with likely little weight on the knee for a week or two, followed by light duty and physical therapy to strengthen muscles and other connective tissue surrounding the injury.

This is week 6 (the bye week). I do not see Stafford coming back in week 7, even if he has no significant damage (however, it is not impossible in that case). I would say he will be back at full strength in week 8 (if there is no significant damage and he does NOT need arthroscopic surgery). IF there is significant damage requiring surgery, we all saw Stanton come back after 3-4 weeks following his arthroscopic surgery, putting Stafford out until at least week 9 or 10 (IF he had the scope this week). If he has more serious damage than cartilage or bone fragments, and requires a more serious surgery to repair a ligament, tendon, or muscle tear, then he could be out for the season (8 weeks would possibly put us in week 14 before he returns (IF the procedure was done this week). The Lions would likely put him on the IR, ending his season, if that were the case).