Breaking Down Rajon Rondo’s Facial Fractures

• Post By: Jeff Stotts
• Date: February 2, 2015
• Category: Break Down, NBA

The Mavericks, one the healthier teams in the NBA so far this season, received unsettling news as it was revealed point guard Rajon Rondo suffered orbital and nasal fractures in his collision with teammate Richard Jefferson.

To understand the injury you have to understand the composition of the human skull. The skull is compromised of two primary parts, the neurocranium, that houses the brain, and the facial skeleton. The facial skeleton is comprised of 14 interconnected bones, pieced together like a puzzle. Sadly, as Rondo as figured out, the individual bone can be fractured following a direct blow or collision.

The most commonly fractured bone in facial skeleton is the nasal bone. However a neighboring area of the face known as the orbit is also vulnerable to injury. The orbit, or eye socket, is made up of bones from both the neurocranium and the facial skeleton and includes the maxilla (the upper jaw), the frontal bone, and the cheekbone.

Fractures to the area generally occur following direct contact, particularly the vulnerable orbital floor. The severity of the fracture depends on multiple aspects including size of the fracture, whether or not the affected bone or bones have shifted, and any associated soft tissue and muscle damage. Surgery is often required if the involved bone or bones displaces or significant damage to the eyeball has occurred.

Recovery time for recent NBA players to suffer significant facial fractures appears directly connected to whether or not surgical intervention was necessary. Of the nine most recent facial fractures that did not require surgery, only former Thunder forward Lazar Hayward missed more than six games. Tyler Zeller missed four games following a zygomatic fracture while with the Cavaliers but his return was delayed by an associated concussion.

Things get more problematic if surgery is warranted. Each of the last nine players to require surgery to fix a facial fracture returned in no fewer than five games. The average number of missed games following these injuries is nearly 13 games. Orlando’s Victor Oladipo was the most recent victim of a facial fracture and he missed the team’s first nine games of the year after suffering an orbital fracture in preseason action.

It has yet to be determined whether or not Rondo will need surgery to fix his injuries. By describing the damage as an orbital fracture and considering he also broke his nose, it seems likely that the floor of the eye socket (a possible combination of the maxilla and zygomatic bones) near the nasal region is the area of concern.

Concerned Mavs looking for a sliver of good news should keep in mind that Casey Smith and the Dallas medical staff has had previous success managing a similar injury. During the 2009-10 season former Mavs guard Jason Terry was back in action two weeks have suffering an orbit fracture that needed surgery.

Rondo has already been ruled out for the next three games, starting Monday against the Timberwolves. If surgery is required than it seems likely he will sit through the All-Star break and potentially longer. Expect the Maericks to provide an update later in the week after consulting with various specialists.

When Rondo does return it is likely he does so while wearing a protective facemask. Each of the listed players was forced to wear a facemask when they returned to action. The NBA facemask has been donned by an assortment of players including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and most famously, Richard Hamilton. Players often report problems adjusting to the mask, which could be a setback for Rondo, a player known for his excellent vision.

Point guard Raymond Felton could move into the starting unit like he did earlier this season when Rondo was sidelined for a sore Achilles. The move would allow Devin Harris and JJ Barea to remain in their normal roles on a bench that has struggled as of late. Whoever does join the starting five will have his hands full with Dallas set to take on Ricky Rubio, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul over the next 10 days.