Forinash Scheduled to have Foot Surgery
Oct 24 | Men's Basketball
SMU's front court depth took another hit Tuesday when sixth-year head coach Mike Dement announced that junior P Jon Forinash will undergo foot surgery and miss a minimum of six weeks.
"Losing another player in practice certainly hurts," Dement said, "but this is the right time to get the problem taken care of - early in the season - so that we don't miss Jon [Forinash] as we get in the heart of our season."
The procedure, scheduled for early next week, will remove a bundle of inflamed nerves between the third and fourth metatarsal in the left foot. Forinash's discomfort caused by the continued pounding of the foot has progressively increased the past two seasons. He consulted his coaches, family, head trainer and doctors before making the decision to have surgery.
"The doctors said that surgery was inevitable," Forinash said, "and that I could miss the first six weeks of the season or continue to treat it and play hurt, only to need surgery during the middle of the season. By doing this now, I can get back in time for conference to start."
Forinash could be back shooting in two weeks based upon previous cases, but should make a full return to the team in six weeks. The pain, according to Forinash, was becoming continuous - forcing him to wear an orthopedic boot when not on the court.
"It's like someone is jabbing an ice-pick through the bottom of my foot," Forinash said. "There is a burning sensation along with the piercing pain."
The Mustangs continue to wait the return of junior P Mike Niemi and freshman G Lavardicus Atkins. Both are scheduled to be out another two weeks. Niemi is rehabilitating a back injury and Atkins is recovering from knee surgery. Senior G Renaldo Bratton, who is out with a herniated disk in his back, will be re-evaluated November 1, to determine his playing status.
