Tag: pain

El Contusión’s checklist

For the second time in four seasons, the Spurs will spend a large amount of time without their No. 1 offensive weapon and energy source — Manu Ginobili — because of injury. He has worn the “El Contusión” nickname as a badge of honor in his 10 seasons, but now his proclivity for getting hurt could have a grave impact on the Spurs’ playoff hopes in a shortened season.

Overall, the Spurs are 66-45 without Ginobili — injured or not — isn’t in the lineup. But they’re just 32-29 in the previous four seasons.

Express-News staff writer Douglas Pils takes a look back at his injury tour, which is likely missing some of the injuries he played through. (Note: Records shown are for games missed because of injury):

2011-12

• Broken fifth metacarpal, left hand (out indefinitely)

2010-11

• Dislocated left elbow (1 game, 0-1)

• Left quadriceps contusion (1 game, 0-1)

2009-10

Playoffs: Broken nose (0 games)

• Back spasms (1 game, 0-1)

• Left groin strain (5 games, 4-1)

• Left hamstring strain (0 games)

2008-09

• Broken right leg-distal fibula (11 games, 6-5)

• Stress reaction, right leg-distal fibula (19 games, 11-9)

• Hip contusion (1 game, 0-1)

• Preseason surgery for impingement on left ankle (12 games, 6-6)

2007-08

Playoffs: Sprained left ankle (0 games, Spurs lost 4-1 to Lakers in Western finals as he played with pain and averaged seven fewer points in the series than his regular-season average)

• Strained left groin (3 games, 2-1)

• Sprained left index finger (5 games, 3-2)

2006-07

• Stomach flu (1 game, 0-1)

• Lower back contusion (4 games, 2-2)

2005-06

• Left calf contusion (3 games, 2-1)

• Left calf and quadriceps contusion (1 game, 1-0)

• Sprained right ankle (3 games, 2-1)

• Sprained right foot (8 games, 5-3)

• Bone bruise, right foot (2 games, 2-0)

2004-05

• Strained groin, hip and shoulder (5 games, 3-2)

• Bruised right thigh (1 game, 1-0)

• Strained neck (1 game, 1-0)

2003-04

• Sprained lower left back (5 games, 4-1)

2002-03

• Bruised ribs, right side (1 game, 1-0)

• Sprained right ankle (12 games, 9-3)

With Ginobili

• In the regular season, the Spurs have won 71.5 percent (456-182) of their games when he plays, but the number falls to 61.9 percent (65-40) without him.

Chinese monks treat Pietrus’ injured knee

Phoenix forward Mickael Pietrus is seeking an unconventional approaching to treat a nagging right knee injury.

Pietrus missed 12 games at the end of the season for the Suns and hasn’t played in Eurobasket or overseas opportunities.

Sporting News.com reported that Pietrus in central China’s Henan Province, where he tried “several traditional Chinese medicine therapies, including acupuncture, massage and some unique remedies administered by Shaolin monks,” according to the Chinese site .

Pietrus said the treatment helped him alleviate his pain and soon would be ready to practice.

He would be a key addition for the Suns if he’s healthy. Pietrus averaged 7.4 points for the Suns after he came there in the Jason Richardson trade.

The Shaolin Temple has had  its own hospital for more than 1,000 years and treated Shaquille O’Neal during his career.

Splitter hobbling with nagging thigh injury

Spurs center Tiago Splitter’s practice time with the Brazilian national team remains limited as he struggles with muscle spasms in his right thigh.

Project Spurs.com reports that in Brazil’s 79-57 exhibition victory over Mexico Thursday night.

Splitter likely will be back in Brazil’s lineup by the Tuto Marchand tournament later this month. Those games will be Brazil’s final tune-up before the FIBA Americas tournament begins in Argentina on Aug. 29.

“Worrying obviously concerned,” Splitter said in a story translated by Project Spurs. “If you do not worry, I would be playing. But not enough to be a headache for not playing Iin) the pre-Olympic (tournament.) Really , what I want is to arrive in Mar del Plata without having any pain.”

Considering that Splitter will be one of Brazil’s prime inside players in the FIBA tournament, it’s wise that the Brazilian team is allowing him to ease back onto the court.