The Hawks got some very good news about the injury to Mike Scott on Friday, as the forward will miss only two to four weeks.
Following several medical tests performed in Atlanta this week, Scott has what amounts to a sprained left big toe — the original diagnosis following the injury suffered in Denver on March 11. A later MRI exam performed suggested Scott suffered a fractured toe, an injury that would likely keep him out for six weeks.
“The health and care of all of our players is extremely important to us, and Mike is a big part of our group,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement following Scott’s updated condition.
“We conducted additional testing and also recommended that Mike get an independent second opinion. We are pleased with the additional opinion and information and look forward to having Mike back when he completes his rehabilitation.”
Scott returned to Atlanta on Monday to be examined by doctors at Peachtree Orthopaedics. He had a CT scan that diagnosed a bipartite sesamoid and acute sprain. The test results were read by Dr. Michael Bernot and Dr. James Beskin at Peachtree and Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute.
The sesamoid is a small bone, similar to the patella, under the toe that allows the tendon to extend. Scott’s sesamoid is in two pieces, which can occur naturally, and he has inflammation between the bones.
Scott will remain in a walking boot and should be out of it by early next week. The treatment consists of rest, ice and some exercises. He recently told team trainers that the pain has subsided by 75 percent. Scott will be fitted for custom orthotic inserts in his basketball shoes, which he will likely wear for the remainder of his career.
Scott said that he suffered the injury in the first quarter against the Nuggets and played through the pain.
“I’m not down,” Scott said before the Hawks played the Lakers on Sunday. “I’m going to work hard to get back. I’m not going to rush it. I’ll listen to my team trainers and coaches are work hard to try to get back.”
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