David Backes Undergoes Elbow Procedure, Will Miss At Least Two More Games
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston career of free-agent addition David Backes got off to an overwhelmingly positive start for his first few games as a member of the Bruins. But now, he's hit a bit of a road block.
Backes underwent a procedure to remove the olecranon bursa from his elbow on Monday, and the team won't have an update on his status until after the weekend. In the meantime, the Bruins will play in New York on Wednesday night and at Detroit on Saturday night without him.
Backed missed Tuesday night's game vs. Minnesota for undisclosed reason, but the team offered the update on Wednesday.
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand describes olecranon bursa as a condition when the sac of fluid on the elbow gets "irritated or inflamed" and thus becomes filled with too much fluid.
"Trauma, such as hitting the elbow or falling on the back of the elbow, can lead to this condition," the organization's website says.
Likewise, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that "a hard blow to the tip of the elbow can cause the bursa to produce excess fluid and swell."
If the bursitis is not infected, the surgical procedure to remove it "does not disturb any muscle, ligament, or joint structures."
According to the AAOS, the elbow skin "should be well healed within 10 to 14 days after the surgery," though full functionality of the elbow may not be allowed for three to four weeks.
In five games played for Boston, the 32-year-old Backes has scored two goals and assisted on two more. He's also recorded a team-leading 20 hits.
The Bruins have recalled forward Austin Czarnik from Providence to take Backes' roster spot for the time being.