On Wednesday afternoon, Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kemba Walker spoke with the media about his knee for the first time since it was announced that the UConn product will miss the start of the 2020-21 campaign as he allows a stem cell injection and knee strengthening regimen do their work.
The New Yorker was his usual upbeat self, and while he was admittedly not especially well-versed in the technical side of his treatment situation or the problem behind it, the stem cell treatment was a focal point of the questions he fielded.
The therapy — also called “regenokine” therapy — is an experimental approach used to treat maladies such as osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases popularized in the NBA by Kobe Bryant and Al Harrington in the early 2010s.
Ainge: ‘this next year will tell us more’ about Walker’s knee https://t.co/QUmXoe4PMb
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 1, 2020
“We decided it was best … not to rush back. We’ll take my time and get healthy,” explained Walker. “I’ve had a pretty long run; I haven’t had much of a break since I signed here, so I think it’d be nice for me, to tell the truth.”
Asked if he could shed some light on what the injection was supposed to do for him specifically, and the former Husky declined to say, understandably pleading ignorance about a treatment few typical people have even heard of.
“I can’t — I can’t. I don’t know; you’ve got to ask the doctors,” offered Walker. “It was supposed to help me — know that.”
CLAB 21: Taking stock of the new roster, and Boston’s TPE options https://t.co/3C41sFojcf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 1, 2020
“I just went into it. I trust the doctor, I trust the people who are helping me,” he added.
“It was the best way to go. It definitely calmed my knee down to tell you the truth. I’m feeling really good right now, so like I said, I’m just taking my time, and trying to continue to feel good, and get stronger.”
Walker’s remarks echo that of former NBA players like Tracy McGrady who have received the treatment, claiming it eliminates pain in the affected joint and breathes new life into their careers.
Celtics announce Walker out until Jan. with knee stem cell injection procedure https://t.co/GW6SKgzjk7
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 1, 2020
The results for players who have had the treatment range from favorable in the case of Bryant, helpful in McGrady’s situation, to a small boost for several careers that would have probably otherwise ended.
Walker’s situation is likely closer to Bryant’s than the other examples above, given he was still playing at a high level even when his knee was bothering him.
While it’s impossible to say what his outlook will be without the expertise and information his doctors are working with, it seems plausible for the Bronx native to return to something closer to his best self should all go well with the treatment if past examples can help us understand his situation.
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