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Ford Expected to Make Full Recovery

January 9, 2008 TORONTO (CP) -- Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford got some good news Wednesday.

Ford is expected to make a full recovery from the neck injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 11, a Raptors spokesman said.

``His prognosis is highly favourable for a full recovery and return to basketball,'' said Raptors official Jim Labumbard.

The news comes after Ford travelled to the renowned Cleveland Clinic to consult with specialists about his injured neck and arms earlier Wednesday.

To ready for his return to the court, the 24-year-old guard is flying home to Houston to train with John Lucas, who helped Ford rebound from his more serious neck injury that kept him out of half of his rookie season and his entire sophomore season.

Ford missed his 13th consecutive game Wednesday due to his most recent neck injury, suffered in a fall in Atlanta when he was fouled hard by Hawks forward Al Horford.

There was concern he may have to sit the remainder of the season, or worst-case scenario, call it quits on his young and promising basketball career.

``We've just gathered us some more information,'' Ford told reporters earlier Wednesday, before the Raptors' game versus the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. ``I just got back so we haven't had time to sit down with (Raptors medical staff) and process all the information and go from there.''

The injury is the latest in a string of similar setbacks for the guard who suffers from spinal stenosis a narrowing of the openings of the vertebra.

He missed half his rookie season and all of the 2004-'05 campaign with the Milwaukee Bucks after undergoing neck surgery.

He's suffered three neck injuries since joining the Raptors in the summer of 2006, including two this season.

He had already consulted orthopedic specialists in Los Angeles and New York since this injury, and is listed as being out indefinitely. The Raptors have gone 6-7 in Ford's absence.

Sun Tzu wrote:I don't want to rain on this parade (I will be as happy as anyone to have Ford back), but is there anything new in this?

We knew that he was going to make a "full" recovery from the effects of the last hit, and we also know that the reason they are taking their time is because he remains more susceptible to spinal injury due to his (permanent) condition.

Raptors guard T.J. Ford was cleared to resume workouts Wednesday after visiting a spine specialist in Cleveland.

It isn't immediately known when Ford, injured last month during a game at Atlanta, will begin working out again. There is also no timetable for his return to the Raptors.

Sun Tzu wrote:I don't want to rain on this parade (I will be as happy as anyone to have Ford back), but is there anything new in this?

We knew that he was going to make a "full" recovery from the effects of the last hit, and we also know that the reason they are taking their time is because he remains more susceptible to spinal injury due to his (permanent) condition.

Bankai wrote:Great that he is coming back, I honestly think the whole ordeal was pure mental for him. I think he was fully recovered earlier, but you cannot take your chance on a possible career ender.

Again, I hope with time he can block the mental issues out when he comes back, so he can be the same old TJ that in a Jack voice "Arrgh loves to take it in the gut of the defense" for some good old old draw-and-kick and get to the FT line. While some of you think thats too reckless/out of control, His play style does bring a whole dimension to the game, which was sorely missed. But again they need to make sure then he is ready to be back, it wont be the same anymore if he panics and stays on the perimeter.