NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers Monday announced that star right wing Pavel Bure undergone successful knee surgery.
Team officials said he does not have damage to the ACL in either knee, and may return as soon as late January.
Bure had the posterior tear of the medial meniscus in his left knee repaired in a procedure performed by team physician Dr. Andrew Feldman and Dr. Tony Maddalo at St. Vincent's Hospital. In addition, Bure's left ACL was examined and found to be intact and fully functional.
"The procedure performed on Pavel (Monday) morning went extremely well," said Dr. Feldman. "He will begin his rehabilitation program immediately and we are extremely optimistic that he will return to form."
An exploratory arthroscopic surgery conducted on the right knee revealed no damage to the ACL as well.
Bure was injured in the second period of a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 6. Two days later, the team issued a statement saying that Bure suffered a torn medial meniscus in his left knee and a Grade I MCL sprain. However, some New York newspapers reported that Bure had torn his left ACL and would miss the remainder of the season.
Bure tore cartilage in his right knee during a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils and underwent surgery on Sept. 26.
After a slow start, Bure had scored five goals in three games entering the game with Buffalo, giving him a team-high 14 to go with seven assists.
