Fulce tidbit from Rosiak Chat

[SoCalwarrior]

"Buzz Williams addressed the injuries after the Central Michigan game on Tuesday. It sounds as though Fulce's injury has actually gotten worse and Otule's has gotten better. Initially, Williams was describing Fulce's injury as a stress reaction in his kneecap. Now, he's describing it as Fulce having an actual split in the middle of the kneecap -- a very rare injury for which there's little known in the way of a timetable for recovery."

If indeed a split, I would be shocked to see him back this year. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

ok, I don't want to start any crazy speculation, but would be even be eligible for a medical redshirt?

I believe he would, but I'm not up to date on all of the NCAA rules.

[MU gimp ONE]

i don't see why he wouldn't be eligible for a redshirt.  he hasn't played a game yet.  Devendorf played 10+ games last year and got a redshirt. 

don't understand if it's gotten worse why they haven't taken further measures... ie surgery, crutches, or straight immobilization.  letting the kid walk on it and shoot around, can't be helping it.

[JSwarriors08]

i don't see why he wouldn't be eligible for a redshirt.  he hasn't played a game yet.  Devendorf played 10+ games last year and got a redshirt. 

don't understand if it's gotten worse why they haven't taken further measures... ie surgery, crutches, or straight immobilization.  letting the kid walk on it and shoot around, can't be helping it.

I agree.  Seems like it would be pretty risky to have him bouncing around on it.  I am not intimately familiar with this kind of injury, but I'm sure it's one that is aggravated by stress and impact, such as would occur while walking or jumping.

[bma725]

When Buzz was interviewed after the game on Tuesday he's said the main thing with Fulce's injury was that it is a pain issue.  That would imply to me that there is little chance of it getting worse if he plays, and it really just comes down to whether or not he can take the pain.

[4thAndState]

There is plenty of contradictory information floating around. A few posters on another thread said Fulce is cleared to play. Others have said for sure by Dec. 16 (Tenn.). Buzz has been saying Dec. 28. Now this from Rosiak, saying it sppears to be worse. And, Fulce has been seen shooting prior to the Dec. 2 game. I have seen him in the pre-game player huddle, jumping in unison with his teammates. No crutches, etc. Seems to be walking fine. What in the wide, wide world of sports in going on around here??

[TallTitan34]

Can a person hop in circles much less walk with a split in the knee cap?

[StillWarriors]

I sure hope Rosiak's wrong. Clearly we need more than what we have now inside. If we can't get much (or nothing) out of Fulce, then let's hope for home court in the first round of the NIT. Before everyone goes nuts, I'm saying IF Fulce can't play and contribute quite a bit. Going .500 in the BEast is no sure thing, and from what I've seen of the current group it may be a longshot. Get well Fulce!!!

[bma725]

Can a person hop in circles much less walk with a split in the knee cap?

Yes.  After my first post I did some research and there were all sorts of articles about athletes playing with split kneecaps.  For example, Andy Murray the tennis pro has had one since childhood and it doesn't seem to impact his ability to play(#4 in the world), but he does take weeks off because of the pain.

Having said that, if it really is a split kneecap then it appears it will not be something that will heal on it's own.  It seems you either have it for years and deal with pain, or you have surgery and miss several months at a time.

[MUWeb7]

I posted this in another thread...when he came out on tuesday for warm-ups he walked out with a limp in his step. Once he got moving it was less noticeable.

[New Era Warriors]

this is not related to the knee, but it can be used as a great example...i have a permanently fractured vertebrae that i have had since i was born. i can play sports and do any physical activity i want, but it can get very very painful at times. but overall, i can play with it and play a whole season with the pain, but sometimes a couple days or a week off are needed. this may be similar to fulce's situation where if he can handle the pain then he can play.

[Blackhat]

nothing vicodin can't fix.

[downtown85]

When I was about 14, I had a severe form of Osgood Schlatters disease where the knee tendon actually pulled parts of bone away from the top of my tibia.   The parts it pulled away were non-weight bearing so the Doc said you have a choice, 6 to 9 months of immobilization which will potentially heal it or play with the pain (for a couple of years because the bone kept re-breaking.)  I didn't want to miss soccer, so I chose pain. 

As my coach used to say, pain is just weakness leaving the body.  C'mon Fulcie, tough it out!  Wear protection on the knee so it doesn't get bumped and get in there and play!

[muarmy81]

Yes.  After my first post I did some research and there were all sorts of articles about athletes playing with split kneecaps.  For example, Andy Murray the tennis pro has had one since childhood and it doesn't seem to impact his ability to play(#4 in the world), but he does take weeks off because of the pain.

Having said that, if it really is a split kneecap then it appears it will not be something that will heal on it's own.  It seems you either have it for years and deal with pain, or you have surgery and miss several months at a time.

I think Buzz mentioned that it was good in the fact that it was split in the middle and not the side so yes, if he can deal with the pain he could probably begin playing this weekend. 

To downtown's point...I had Osgood as well and it was pretty painful at times when I played basketball but the fact of the matter is that it won't make it any worse if you use your knee in that situation and you may or may not improve if you rest it. 
As long as there is no real issue with making things worse I'm sure we'll See Joe real soon...and we need him!

[Shack]

Last night I had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours.  I'm fine today. 

[AlumKCof93]

Last night I had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours.  I'm fine today. 

Best post in quite some time - glad you're better now.

[Shack]

Updated---

Fulce and Otule injuries
By Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 4, 2008 1:27 p.m. 


Judging by the number of questions about the status of injured players Joe Fulce and Chris Otule in the chat I did today, I was remiss in not posting earlier what Buzz Williams had to say about each following the Central Michigan game on Tuesday.

So, without further ado, here it is:

"I think they went to the doctor (Monday). Chris can wear shoes for a couple hours a day; the rest of the time he's got to be in his boot. Joe took some shots tonight before the game, and pain will be our guide as it relates to both of those guys, to be honest with you.

"Joe has an injury I've never heard of. The middle of his kneecap is fractured. Like, it's split. So on the sides it's still together, but in the middle it's split. And that's a very rare problem, so pain will have to be our guide.

"Chris...most guys like Liam (McMorrow), most big guys break either of their outside metatarsals. Chris' was in the middle, which is a positive thing because it doesn't take as long to heal. But pain will be our guide for both of those guys."

To add to that, both players worked out at the Bradley Center prior to the game on Tuesday.

Both were getting pounded with the padded arm of strength and conditioning coach Todd Smith as they made moves around the basket, and both appeared to be moving OK. That obviously is a long way from playing in an actual game, but a good sign for MU nonetheless.

If I had to venture a guess, because of the seriousness and potential long-term ramifications of Fulce's injury, his return won't come until the team's medical staff is abolutely, positively certain the kneecap is either healed, or can't be damaged any further by playing. Otule's injury, although a fracture, is much more of the garden variety.

[IAmMarquette]

Last night I had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours.  I'm fine today. 

did you call the hotline?

[mu03eng]

did you call the hotline?

or apply a burnt out match to your wrist?

[4everwarriors]

Last night I had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours.  I'm fine today. 

Are you bragging or complaining? Did you seek the help of a doctor?

[avid1010]

Last night I had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours.  I'm fine today. 

As one famous comedian suggests...pop a few more of those pills and head to Vegas, baby!