Concerns about a lingering and chronic hip issue prompted Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora to seek out two medical opinions as to what direction he should take in dealing with the problem. The results of those examinations? Umenyiora will manage the condition and continue playing, meaning he will arrive Sunday at training camp at the University at Albany and is expected to participate in practice.
Umenyiora, according to a published report, earlier in July sought a second opinion and visited the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. to see Dr. Marc Philippon, a hip specialist who operated on Alex Rodriguez, and that Philippon’s recommendation was to have surgery to repair the damage still present from the torn hip flexor that forced Umenyiora back in 2006 to miss five games. The report stated surgery was scheduled but then cancelled after Philippon, Umeniyora and the Giants medical staff agreed to deal with the problem the way Umenyiora has been because he won’t make it worse by playing.
Before traveling to Colorado, Umenyiora conferred with the Giants medical staff and, according to a source, was told he could play with the hip issue by managing it the way he has the past few years. Any surgery can wait and there is no risk of further injury. The source also indicated no surgery was ever scheduled.
Umenyiora participated in the off-season workout program and the mandatory mini-camp, although he did experience some discomfort in his hip, keeping him out of at least one organized team activity. He played in all 16 games last season after missing all of 2008 after surgery to repair torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee in a preseason game against the Jets.