The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Translating Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid medical update into playoff timetables

By Bret Stuter

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 6: fans watch Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 6: fans watch Joel Embiid /

Concussion cleared

The other serious component to recovery for Joel Embiid is the NBA concussion protocol. And the update addressed that as well.  An independant neurologist cleared Embiid of concussion symptoms. Now he must successfully accomplish the exertion portion of the protocol. A good explanation was detailed by A. Sherrod Blakely in a November 2, 2016 article:

"“From the NBA’s media central website, here’s a closer look at what the NBA’s Return-to-Participation protocol consists of: The return to participation protocol involves several steps of increasing exertion – from a stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills. With each step, a player must be symptom free to move to the next step. If a player is not symptom free after a step, he stops until he is symptom free and begins again at the previous step of the protocol (i.e., the last step he passed without any symptoms). It’s important to note that there is no time frame to complete the protocol. Each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case.”"

To be fair, recovering from eye surgery complicates the exertion stage somewhat. The “free of symptoms” requirement must be accomplished.  Even with the orbital fracture healing, Joel Embiid should be able to navigate the remainder of the concussion protocol.