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Cards' doctor won't assist in Rolen's shoulder surgery
By Joe Strauss
Of the Post-Dispatch
08/27/2005
WASHINGTON - Apparently, the recent announcement that orthopedists George Paletta and Timothy Kremchek would collaborate on Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen's shoulder surgery was not the final word.
Team officials confirm Rolen will go to Cincinnati for surgery Monday to repair the left shoulder that twice has sent him to the disabled list since a collision May 10 with Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi. Kremchek, originally cited as assisting Paletta in the procedure, instead will perform the surgery independent of the Cardinals' orthopedics consultant.
Paletta performed an arthroscopic procedure to clear torn cartilage from Rolen's shoulder May 13.
At the time, Paletta estimated there was a 10 percent to 20 percent chance Rolen might require a second operation if rest and rehabilitation failed to correct the problem. Rolen's abortive return June 17 lasted 87 at-bats. Although his defense was sterling, Rolen hit only .205 with eight RBIs and no home runs before returning to the disabled list July 22.
Kremchek offered a second opinion on the case Aug. 12. While confirming Paletta's diagnosis that the shoulder had not reattached to the surrounding capsule, Kremchek suggested season-ending surgery.
Publicly supportive of Rolen's decision to undergo additional surgery, the club privately hoped he would extend his rehab to retain a chance of playing this postseason. Manager Tony La Russa, upset about what he sees as inferences that team medical personnel had mishandled the case, aggressively defended Paletta last week. La Russa then spoke at length with Rolen on Aug. 21, the day the Cardinals issued a release announcing Paletta as primary surgeon. Surgery initially was scheduled to take place in St. Louis.
Rolen notified Paletta last week that he wanted him involved with the surgery.
General manager Walt Jocketty confirmed Rolen's change of plan but could not explain the switch. "You'd have to ask Scott about that one," he said.
Rolen and his representatives could not be reached to comment Friday night.
Kremchek serves as the Cincinnati Reds' medical supervisor and chief orthopedist and has had no previous connection with Rolen or other Cardinals players. Earlier this week, Kremchek cited that distance as enabling him to advocate a more aggressive approach.
Grudzielanek returns
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was available only for what La Russa called "emergency" duty Friday night but may return to the lineup this afternoon. Grudzielanek was hospitalized for four days beginning last Saturday because of a badly infected left knee and unrelated back spasms.
"It's been a pretty interesting week," Grudzielanek said before Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals. "First it was one thing, then another. I didn't know what was going on."
Head trainer Barry Weinberg drove Grudzielanek to Barnes West following last Saturday's clash with the San Francisco Giants. Grudzielanek said the knee swelled to double its normal size during and shortly after the game. "I couldn't play the next day; that's for sure," he said.
Grudzielanek was discharged Sunday morning but did not attend the Cardinals' series finale against the Giants, nor did he accompany the club to Pittsburgh for its four-game series against the Pirates. Sunday night his back began to spasm, preventing him from falling asleep. "I couldn't move," he said. "It became pretty scary, because I didn't know if it was related to the infection or what."
Grudzielanek re-admitted himself Monday and remained hospitalized Tuesday. In addition to receiving stronger antibiotics for his knee, Grudzielanek took muscle relaxants to alleviate the back spasms.
"I really haven't done anything since last Saturday," Grudzielanek said, explaining what might be a gradual return to the lineup. "For two days it was my knee, and then I couldn't move at all for two days."
Reporter Joe Strauss
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8371
By Joe Strauss
Of the Post-Dispatch
08/27/2005
WASHINGTON - Apparently, the recent announcement that orthopedists George Paletta and Timothy Kremchek would collaborate on Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen's shoulder surgery was not the final word.
Team officials confirm Rolen will go to Cincinnati for surgery Monday to repair the left shoulder that twice has sent him to the disabled list since a collision May 10 with Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi. Kremchek, originally cited as assisting Paletta in the procedure, instead will perform the surgery independent of the Cardinals' orthopedics consultant.
Paletta performed an arthroscopic procedure to clear torn cartilage from Rolen's shoulder May 13.
At the time, Paletta estimated there was a 10 percent to 20 percent chance Rolen might require a second operation if rest and rehabilitation failed to correct the problem. Rolen's abortive return June 17 lasted 87 at-bats. Although his defense was sterling, Rolen hit only .205 with eight RBIs and no home runs before returning to the disabled list July 22.
Kremchek offered a second opinion on the case Aug. 12. While confirming Paletta's diagnosis that the shoulder had not reattached to the surrounding capsule, Kremchek suggested season-ending surgery.
Publicly supportive of Rolen's decision to undergo additional surgery, the club privately hoped he would extend his rehab to retain a chance of playing this postseason. Manager Tony La Russa, upset about what he sees as inferences that team medical personnel had mishandled the case, aggressively defended Paletta last week. La Russa then spoke at length with Rolen on Aug. 21, the day the Cardinals issued a release announcing Paletta as primary surgeon. Surgery initially was scheduled to take place in St. Louis.
Rolen notified Paletta last week that he wanted him involved with the surgery.
General manager Walt Jocketty confirmed Rolen's change of plan but could not explain the switch. "You'd have to ask Scott about that one," he said.
Rolen and his representatives could not be reached to comment Friday night.
Kremchek serves as the Cincinnati Reds' medical supervisor and chief orthopedist and has had no previous connection with Rolen or other Cardinals players. Earlier this week, Kremchek cited that distance as enabling him to advocate a more aggressive approach.
Grudzielanek returns
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was available only for what La Russa called "emergency" duty Friday night but may return to the lineup this afternoon. Grudzielanek was hospitalized for four days beginning last Saturday because of a badly infected left knee and unrelated back spasms.
"It's been a pretty interesting week," Grudzielanek said before Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals. "First it was one thing, then another. I didn't know what was going on."
Head trainer Barry Weinberg drove Grudzielanek to Barnes West following last Saturday's clash with the San Francisco Giants. Grudzielanek said the knee swelled to double its normal size during and shortly after the game. "I couldn't play the next day; that's for sure," he said.
Grudzielanek was discharged Sunday morning but did not attend the Cardinals' series finale against the Giants, nor did he accompany the club to Pittsburgh for its four-game series against the Pirates. Sunday night his back began to spasm, preventing him from falling asleep. "I couldn't move," he said. "It became pretty scary, because I didn't know if it was related to the infection or what."
Grudzielanek re-admitted himself Monday and remained hospitalized Tuesday. In addition to receiving stronger antibiotics for his knee, Grudzielanek took muscle relaxants to alleviate the back spasms.
"I really haven't done anything since last Saturday," Grudzielanek said, explaining what might be a gradual return to the lineup. "For two days it was my knee, and then I couldn't move at all for two days."
Reporter Joe Strauss
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8371
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