Pau Gasol shouldn't need surgery on torn plantar fascia

Pau Gasol has flown back out to Los Angeles so team doctors can take a closer look at his foot, which was diagnosed as having a partial plantar fascia tear yesterday in his initial MRI in Boston.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I just got back to Los Angeles. This morning I'm going to see our team doctor and the foot specialist to know more about my injury.</p>&mdash; Pau Gasol (@paugasol) <a href="https://twitter.com/paugasol/status/299601801118887937">February 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The initial report indicates that Pau can miss up to twelve weeks should he opt for surgery, but there's good news here potentially, as NYC reconstructive foot surgeon Dr. Neal M. Blitz indicates that a torn plantar fascia shouldn't require surgery, and will likely heal within six weeks.

Actually, rupture of the ligament is often curative to a person who has been suffering from longstanding plantar fasciitis, because it lengthens the tendon (which is what we do in surgery). The downside is a cast and crutches for about six weeks until the ligament heals, and physical therapy thereafter. - Dr. Neal M. Blitz, Huffington Post

Hopefully that's the case, as opting for surgery would put him out for the remainder of the season, and would be a huge blow for the Lakers. With Gasol meeting the Lakers team doctors and foot specialist we should have a clear picture of the route being taken, and the recovery time necessary, in the coming days.

(Tip of the hat to our very own SoCalGal for pointing this out)