Celtics forward , 25-year old Jeff Green will miss the entire 2011-12 season due to the discovery of an aortic aneurysm that was detected during a team physical. Green will have surgery on Jan. 9 to repair it and is expected to make a full recovery.
An aortic aneurysm is a general term for any swelling (dilation or aneurysm) of the aorta to greater than 1.5 times normal, usually representing an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that location. While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort, a greater concern is the risk of rupture, which causes severe pain; massive internal hemorrhage; and, without prompt treatment, death occurs rapidly.
The Celtics had just signed Green to a one-year $9 million dollar deal. Because he couldn’t pass the physical, that contract will be voided. The issue showed up on a standard pre-season stress test. The doctors ran him through a number of other tests and eventually arrived at this course of treatment.
The good news is that it was found in time and potentially saved his life. It’s a shortened season and he’s young. I know he’ll be back with the Celts or another team next year.
