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PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Montana Has Additional Minor Surgery on Elbow

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<i> Associated Press</i>

Quarterback Joe Montana underwent minor surgery to remove scar tissue in his right elbow Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers said.

“This was an elective procedure to release pressure that was causing some pain and discomfort on the ulnar nerve in Joe’s elbow,” team physician Michael Dillingham said in a prepared statement.

Dillingham performed the surgery at Stanford University Medical Center.

Montana underwent surgery last Oct. 9 to reattach a torn tendon in his throwing arm and did not play last season. Then, during the spring, he underwent a similar procedure to remove scar tissue.

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Dillingham said Saturday’s procedure was unrelated to Montana’s right tendon.

“It’s just a minor procedure,” team spokesman Rodney Knox said. “All they did was release some scar tissue. It had been putting some pressure and pain on his elbow.”

Montana was put on injured reserve at the start of this season because of tenderness in the elbow.

Dillingham said the procedure should not affect Montana’s rehabilitation schedule, which should extend to the fifth or sixth game this season. Knox said Montana would not throw for the next five to seven days.

Dillingham said Montana decided Friday night to have the operation Saturday, rather than today, when the 49ers play the Buffalo Bills at Candlestick Park.

“Joe could have done this prior to the game and still been on the sidelines with his teammates,” Dillingham said.

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