Anyone can explain what 'knee sublaxation' that Smart got is in layman terms?
"The proximal tibfib joint is where the top of the fibula, the little bone on the outside of the leg, is attached to the tibia, the large shin bone," explained Dr. Mark Adickes, co-medical director of the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Adickes is a former NFL lineman and previously worked with the Houston Rockets' medical staff.
"If you have a subluxation, the contact tore ligaments as the fibulae head actually moved out of place and then returned to an anatomical position. I liken this injury to an MCL in that it is a soft-tissue injury that has great blood supply and generally heals on its own, provided the fibula is in the correct position."
Smart, who banged knees with Brooklyn's Thomas Robinson and fell awkwardly in the fourth quarter of Friday's game, would have required surgery if the fibulae head had remained dislocated, Adickes said. Stevens termed it a "really unique injury," one that Boston sought multiple opinions on, but said the team believes Smart will heal with rest and rehab.
Basically in layman terms, Smart partially dislocated his ligaments with the fibulae head, and while the injury isn't that serious. Its a unique injury as they stated, because while its similar to the MCL, the way it occurred, it doesn't have any serious connotations linked to it.
It just requires plenty of rest and healing.