Daniel Menzel will undergo knee surgery twice. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun
GEELONG player Daniel Menzel's journey back from a fourth serious knee injury starts today, when he has surgery for the first of a two-part procedure to save his career.
Menzel, who snapped his LARS graft in the VFL last month, will have surgery today to stabilise his left knee.
He will return in about three months to have reconstructive surgery using a patella tendon graft.
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The two-part procedure is uncommon, but will give Menzel the best chance of a successful recovery.
Geelong has not set a time frame on his return.
It will be Menzel's fourth reconstruction in two years.
The theory behind the procedure is that a stabilised knee will take some of the load off the new graft.
Menzel will not be required to do any major rehab between operations.
Despite being devastated by his latest setback, Menzel is said to be mentally strong.
His left knee gave way in the VFL on April 20 when he changed direction. It was his second match back after LARS surgery.
Geelong has vowed to support the 21-year-old forward.
Menzel said last month he had no choice but to prepare himself for more rehabilitation. "That's all I can do, I guess. That's what you love doing, playing footy," he said.
Coach Chris Scott said last week: "His approach is quite pragmatic. It's, 'Well, now I've got to go through it again and do everything I can to get back to playing footy, I'm 21, I've got time on my side'."
"There's no anatomical abnormalities in his knee that's leading to these issues, he's just had a series of very unlucky events and this reconstruction should be treated in isolation and then after that rehab's done he'll be back and hopefully have a long period of good footy in front of him."
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