Yao Ming recovered well after a surgery on his left foot, according to the Houston Rockets team doctor Tom Clanton Monday, who performed the surgery with another doctor. Tom Clanton and Bill McGarvey performed the surgery on the All-Star center to repair a stress fracture in Yao's left foot on Monday morning.
After the surgery, Clanton said in a press release, "Yao is comfortable and recovering well after surgery. We will continue to monitor his recovery and begin an aggressive rehabilitation once he is physically deemed ready."
Clanton had mentioned the surgery would involve placing screws across the bone to hold it together with a recovery time of about four months. Doctors said they did not expect the injury to keep Yao from playing for China in the upcoming Beijing Olympics in August.
Houston Rockets' Yao Ming stands during the NBA All-Star basketball game in New Orleans, Louisiana Feb. 17, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
"I am very relieved that everything went well with my surgery today," Yao said in the press release, "I am looking forward to getting better and starting my physical rehab as soon as the doctors say I can."
"I would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes during this time," Yao continued, "I look forward to the day that I can rejoin my Rockets teammates on the bench."
The Houston Rockets have won 15 consecutive games, including three in a row after Yao's season-ending injury.