Dr. Soppe opines on the Knicks’ Forward shoulder injury.
Article Link: Doctors weigh in on Julius Randle’s expected Knicks absence (nypost.com)
Dr. Clint Soppe, whose specialties at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles include sports medicine and shoulder injuries and who is an orthopedic consultant for the LA Galaxy, pointed to Dwyane Wade’s 2006-07 season (in contrast to Randle’s injury).
The then-Heat star dislocated his left shoulder on Feb. 21, 2007, but elected to rehab his shoulder and delay surgery until after the campaign.
He missed 23 games over 6 ¹/₂ weeks but returned successfully, then underwent surgery after a playoff run.
In this best-case, no-surgery scenario for Randle, there would be concerns.
Once a first dislocation occurs, people are more prone to re-dislocation. Randle — about as physical a player as the NBA has — could be putting himself in harm’s way.
More likely, Soppe said, would be a four- to six-month timetable. 
There are about 2 ¹/₂ months left in the regular season. There is a slight silver lining that Randle, a lefty, dislocated his right shoulder, but he still needs full motion in both arms. “I think it’s probably a little bit better [than the left shoulder],” Soppe said. “But it’s still basketball. You’re going for rebounds.”
