Covid-19 has placed an enormous burden on our health care system. But for the foot and ankle surgeon, it has given many of us the opportunity to regress to our coach potato days. Best watch of the pandemic? Tiger King? Bite your tongue… not for a sports crazed foot and ankle surgeon. The only king of this pandemic is Michael Jordan and watching his legacy on the Last Dance.

Greatest player ever. Without a doubt. And one of the most amazing things about MJ was his ability to play at the highest level consistently without disabling injuries. Joel Emblid, Yao Ming,Marc Gasol, and many other NBA players have suffered career altering injuries, one of which is the legendary navicular fracture which has proven repeatedly to be a very difficult and prolonged healing journey.

So what was so different about MJ? Nonsurgical management in cast? BORING. But in the case of MJ, very effective. And not only effective but allowed the greatest to return to play in a unprecedented timeline which has not been replicated since.

Sure, all navicular fractures are different. Unicortical. Bicortical. Sclerosis, Acute on chronic changes. Fracture pattern and orientation. But even when the best foot and ankle surgeons intervene with surgery the results are unpredictable. Outcomes are guarded and prolonged.

So what is the lesson? Covid-19 has taught us patience. Perhaps patience and conservative care should be revisited for some of these difficult conditions. Perhaps we need to consider biologic interventions instead of mechanical interventions. Or perhaps we all could use a little bit of MJ’s DNA.

MJ, if I ever break my navicular can you please donate a vial your of PRP for my foot? I am a really good basketball player and my best days are ahead.