Expert Explains LeBron James Injury “Knee Soreness/Effusion” & Causes

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Los Angeles Lakers injury expert Dr. Raj, DPT explains LeBron James Injury (left “knee soreness/effusion” that caused him to miss the last three games including the latest MRI results, potential root causes, the key to his return, and a valuable lesson it seems that LeBron James and the Lakers learned from last season | Expert Explains LeBron James Injury “Knee Soreness/Effusion” & Possible Causes | Los Angeles Lakers injury analysis

For reference, I’m a DPT (doctor of physio), sports scientist, youth basketball coach, movement expert, researcher, mindfulness clinician and owner of 3CB Performance —providing sports medicine, performance, and mindfulness services online and in-person at clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA.

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Here’s a table of contents:
- 0:00 What happened
- 0:10 MRI and root causes
- 0:30 Keys to LeBron’s return
- 0:44 Lesson learned from last szn
- 1:45 Stay tuned for updates

Script:

Lakers superstar LeBron James has missed the last 3 games with left knee soreness & effusion (swelling), which may have occurred or popped up vs the Nets

Bron underwent an MRI that showed no “structural changes” which typically means nothing overt came up. However, there’s likely micro, subclinical changes that are causing the swelling - such as meniscus irritation, cartilage irritation under the kneecap, bursa irritation to name a few examples - due to overload at the knee

LeBron’s now back back in LA for treatment and the key is how the knee responds to treatment and ramping up activity - same formula as the past week but, as Coach Vogel said as well, you have to get out in front of the swelling.

Another potential factor here is that LeBron and the Lakers may have learned a valuable lesson when he rushed the tail-end of his high ankle sprain return to play process last season, jumping back into games after individual workouts, with no bridge in between. That led to his ankle flaring up, he missed another week, and never really got his juice back. This season that risk/reward calculation looks to have been altered with both this injury and the abdominal injury where they’ve played it more conservatively and methodical to make sure he’s ready to be back. That process may lead to more time missed up-front but ultimately missing less time and playing at a higher level when he does get back.

I’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
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