Bad Knees Haven’t Stopped Herman

Figuring out which leg Tom Herman is limping on takes some doing.

The Cal Lutheran receiver has a nine-inch scar on his right knee from a rare surgical procedure he had last spring. On his left, he wears a soft brace to stabilize a dislocated kneecap he suffered last month in the Kingsmen’s season opener against the University of San Diego.

Herman is used to hobbling. He’s had eight knee operations--two on his left, six on his right.

Herman had his first surgery, on his left knee, after his junior season at Simi Valley High in 1991. As a senior, he made 45 catches for 624 yards and eight touchdowns before he tore ligaments in his right knee while playing in the Ventura County all-star game.

Despite the series of operations since, Herman ranked second among Cal Lutheran receivers with 35 catches for 516 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Herman said the area under his right kneecap is “bone on bone.” In Herman’s most recent surgery, an implant was placed under his right knee. The procedure involved the harvest and transplant of cartilage cells from the area surrounding the knee.

The cells were injected behind the kneecap, where they are expected to grow and form new, healthy cartilage in areas where there previously was none.

“It’s supposed to be kind of a cure-all,” Herman said. “But to be honest with you, it still hurts sometimes, to go up and down stairs or anything like that.”

Actually, Herman’s left knee currently is his biggest problem. It was badly disfigured when he took a hit after gathering in a short pass three weeks ago.

After swelling to three times its normal size, the knee is now encased in bandages and a brace. Cal Lutheran plays at Azusa Pacific tonight at 6, but Herman is expected to be sidelined at least another week.

“Visually, this was the worst,” he said. “But it’s not going to require surgery.”