Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 89 - 76: Two Choices

He had asked Chen Yu to create a rehabilitation plan for Ronaldo, but unexpectedly, Chen Yu had found another problem.

"You have two options."

Chen Yu put down the medical file and held up one finger. "First option: I take over your rehabilitation from here on out. I’ll handle your patellar tendinitis and create a new recovery plan. It will take about three to four months to get you back on the field."

"This would be the conservative treatment approach."

’The patellar tendinitis is hindering his ligament’s recovery. If I can control the inflammation, and add the system’s therapeutic effects, I should be able to solve this problem.’

’Once this problem is solved, his return will be much quicker.’

"However, I have to be blunt. If we go this route, your athletic ability will be significantly diminished. If you try to play with the same intensity as before, you’ll most likely get injured again."

The color drained from Ronaldo’s face.

Milanee, who was standing behind Ronaldo, immediately asked, "And the other option?"

Chen Yu glanced at the others in the room.

’To be honest, I’m conflicted about whether I should even suggest this.’

’It’s just so radical.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Yu finally said, "The other option is another surgery. We would re-operate to repair the ligament, and you would start rehabilitation from scratch. I’m confident that with this method, you can fully recover your previous athletic ability."

’I wouldn’t have dared to say this before operating on Hardaway.’

’But after witnessing the system’s miraculous effects, I have the confidence to make this claim.’

’I’d have to re-incise the poorly healed ligament, trim the edges, and suture it again. Then, using the system’s therapeutic effects, I can re-establish blood flow.’

’And combine that with post-operative rehabilitation therapy...’

’You could say the ligament repaired this way would be no different from the original. Good as new.’

"Another surgery? Impossible." Before Ronaldo could even speak, Blanchini cut in, his tone firm and decisive as he flatly refused.

Ronaldo had already been out for eight months. Any more time off would mean this season was a write-off, and the next season would be gone too.

’If he doesn’t play for two seasons, this cash cow of mine will dry up.’

Chen Yu said nothing. He knew it wasn’t a small decision.

’Still, this agent is really overstepping his bounds. The man hasn’t even decided for himself, and he’s already making the choice for him.’

’With Boston, they gave their advice, sure, but in the end, they let Hardaway make the decision himself.’

Ronaldo furrowed his brow and thought for a long moment before speaking. "So, you’re saying that if I want to be the player I was before, I have to have the surgery. What about the recovery time? How long would it be? Would I still be able to make it to the World Cup next year?"

’The World Cup?’

Chen Yu paused for a second, then remembered the ’02 World Cup.

"Of course you can," Chen Yu replied without hesitation.

’Next year’s World Cup is still a year and a half away.’

’Hardaway had a torn ligament and cartilage reconstruction, and I only gave him a 10-month recovery period.’

’And that was a generous estimate.’

’If I can rack up enough treatment effects, the recovery period will definitely be shorter.’

’The patellar ligament is thick and coarse, making it difficult to heal properly. But it’s outside the knee joint, unlike the cruciate ligaments, which are bathed in synovial fluid. Its recovery is less affected by the fluid.’

’So for recovery alone, I think 6 to 10 months should be enough.’

’After all, I have plenty of support from the system’s therapeutic effects.’

"Ten months? That’s not bad at all." Ronaldo breathed a sigh of relief, a cheerful look on his face.

He wouldn’t make it back for this Serie A season no matter what.

And next season’s Serie A starts in August.

’Even with a ten-month recovery, I could be back by the middle of next season,’ Ronaldo thought. ’That’s fine. I can accept that.’

And more importantly, it wouldn’t interfere with the World Cup next year.

Blanchini quickly interjected, "Ronnie, this is a huge decision. Don’t be in a rush. I’ll contact Martins and Pita and have them come over from Brazil. We need to discuss this thoroughly."

In Blanchini’s plan, Ronaldo was supposed to be recovered and starting to train by this summer.

Ideally, he’d even be back in time for the World Cup qualifiers.

’If he’s out for too long, the team won’t be happy, and it will affect Ronaldo’s commercial value—which means it will affect my own bottom line.’

At the mention of Martins and Pita, Ronaldo hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Chen Yu didn’t press the matter.

’I’ve given him the options. How he chooses is up to him.’

"I’ll need a definitive answer from you by the day after tomorrow at the latest." ’I still have a pile of things to deal with back in the United States.’

Besides, even if Ronaldo chose conservative treatment, he would have to go with Chen Yu to Phoenix.

Chen Yu couldn’t stay in France indefinitely.

After seeing the three of them out, Pierre, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly spoke up. "Chen, suggesting another surgery to repair the ligament... isn’t that a bit too radical?"

’From a medical standpoint, re-operating on a ligament that has already healed is just... unthinkable.’

Chen Yu didn’t explain, nor could he. He couldn’t very well say, ’It’s because I have a system, you know?’

"Pierre, let’s drop it," Chen Yu said, changing the subject. "I’m free for the next couple of days. How about I help you with some rehabilitation treatments here? We can exchange some ideas at the same time."

’There are over forty athletes from various fields recovering at this center right now.’

’They’re a walking library of experience points for me.’

Pierre immediately forgot all about the surgery. His face lit up. "That would be wonderful! It would also be a perfect opportunity for me to see just how far Sports Rehabilitation has progressed in the United States."