Eichel's doctor explains why disc replacement surgery is best for him; speaks out against CBA rules

We have heard lots lately from the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel's agents about him requiring neck surgery, which seems to be the main point of contention that has effectively killed the relationship between the player and the team. Eichel wants disc replacement surgery, something his personal surgeon is recommending. His doctor, Chad J. Prusmack, appeared on the 31 Thoughts podcast to explain why it's so important that Eichel have his surgery.

FIrst off, Dr. Prusmack explained that both he and Buffalo's doctors agree that Eichel needs surgery. That is not in dispute. What is being disputed is the type of surgery Eichel should have. Dr. Prusmack has recommended disc replacement over anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF), which is what Buffalo's doctors are recommending.

According to Prusmack, the ACDF surgery would have a three-month checkup and likely keep Eichel out of action for six months, and perhaps longer. However, the disc replacement procedure would have Eichel back on the ice in six weeks and perhaps competing in practice in as few as eight weeks. He also contends it would greatly reduce the chance of needing further surgery for the same issue in the future.

Dr. Prusmack stated the surgery has been performed on plenty of athletes including MMA fighters, rugby players and hockey players. However, it has not been performed on any player at the NHL level. That seems to be where the Sabres' concerns lie, although Prusmack contends that flies in the face of medical improvements that have been made over the last few years.


"I don't think that's an argument or you would never make medical advances in any rhyme or reason," he said on the 31 Thoughts podcast. "This is not an experimental procedure. This is established in the literature as being superior to the ACDF. ... It is exactly what I would give my kid and it would be exactly what I would get if I was in Jack Eichel's shoes."

"It is extremely effective. It is extremely safe. As a doctor, I've got to look at the whole picture. I don't want to see Jack Eichel because we defaulted to a surgery he did not want ... that when he's 60 taking care of his grandchildren, he's had fusions up and down the spine and maybe has difficulty swallowing, etc. It's my job to make sure that he not only performs in a safe way but I have to be his advocate for that," said Prusmack.

"If anyone says that a fusion is better in the long run, they are not telling the truth or they do not know the literature. It's a good option but it's inferior in this case."

The NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement states that players must follow the medical advice of their teams. If Eichel decided to have the disc replacement surgery without Buffalo's permission, he runs the risk of voiding his contract, which is worth $50 million over the next five years. Dr. Prusmack is not pleased with these regulations.

"As a doctor, I can't fathom this and I don't understand why the collective bargaining agreement has some discrepancies here," Prusmack said. "As one of the best players, that kid deserves this option. And if he chose the fusion, I'd disagree with him, but I'd totally get it and I would back him for it because that's his choice. And if he said, 'You know, I don't want to be the first guy in hockey to get this, that worries me'? No problem. You got it. Have at it. But that's not the case."

"The case is this is a smart man with a smart family who's done his research. He's a great person. I just don't know how a job can get in such a way of a person getting the right surgery for their well-being. I don't understand it."

The Eichel saga continues with his agents releasing a statement Friday night saying they fully expected their client to be traded by now and that the process to get Eichel traded isn't working. You can read more about that here.

Source: Buffalo News