Sixers rookie Joel Embiid undergoes successful surgery on torn meniscus

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CHICAGO -- Joel Embiid underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee on Friday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. 

The team expects Embiid to resume basketball activities during this summer, according to Sixers director of performance research and development Dr. David T. Martin. Embiid will begin his rehab in Los Angeles with specialists and Sixers medical and training staff members.

"The overall status of Joel's lateral meniscus and his cartilage is very good," surgeon Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache, M.D., who performed the surgery, said in a statement. "Today's procedure focused on removing a small portion of the meniscus that was responsible for his symptoms.

"The recovery program that has been established targets Joel transitioning back to full weight-bearing in approximately two weeks, at which point a conservative approach to his rehabilitation will be introduced."

Since being ruled out for the season, Embiid had been seeking out medical opinions, including visiting with doctors on the West Coast.

"Joel, his representatives and our medical staff conducted extensive research based on prioritizing the best possible treatment and recovery outcome for Joel's knee injury resulting in today's procedure by Dr. ElAttrache," president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "We are very pleased with his post-surgical assessment and forecast for a healthy return to basketball activity."

This is Embiid's third surgery in three years. He missed his first two seasons with foot injuries. Embiid appeared in 31 games in what was his rookie year after being drafted in 2014.

He had been on pace to dominate the Rookie of the Year award. Embiid averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while playing under a 28-minute restriction. 

"He deserves some luck," Brett Brown said before Friday's game against the Bulls. "He's gone through a lot and he is a different person than his first injury."

Embiid took to social media after the surgery:

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