[TheYellowDart5]

Mike Lowell approached Red Sox manager Terry Francona Thursday in Kansas City about potentially getting his second shot of the season in his surgically-repaired right hip. Monday the procedure was executed.

Lowell received a shot that included mostly the substance Synvisc (which was what he had injected in July), and some cortisone. The third baseman also had fluid removed from the hip — although just 14 ccs compared to the 15 ccs last time — and expects to be back in the Red Sox lineup after three days of rest.

“I don’t think this was a necessity, but why not do something that’s not going to hurt me and will make me feel better,” Lowell said.

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/ba...-in-three-days/

[Adirondack jack]

Lowell appeared to be having more trouble lately moving about at third and on the base paths. Also his #'s last 28 days -- .234 / .301 / .328

Earlier in the year Lowell kept quiet, as he played nearly every game, until the hip was problematic enough to require an extended DL trip. Last year same thing down the stretch when it became painful in simply watching the guy.

The limited play after coming back, this season, seemed to add a jolt to the bat and added mobility to be adequate, or at least close to adequate at third, for awhile. If he is healthy he is a plus overall given the bat, but I question how honest he will be with the medical people or himself regarding his ability to field his position.

[Quintanariffic]

Better to get it out of the way now than try to be the tough soldier and let it linger. The results from the first injection and hip draining procedure were quite good, as evidenced by his hot bat upon his return. Let's just hope he can repeat the trick this time as we roll into October.

[Adirondack jack]

Guess the question is whether this is the medical decision to be pro-active or if inflammation has become as troublesome as it was in late June. I'd bet that it probably isn't as bad as it was in late June as he seems not to be as impeded with his range of motion. However, it is notable that he did not play for 3 weeks following the procedure, last time when he returned and played well.

[mabrowndog]

My mother had a Synvisc injection that helped during the months leading up to her knee replacement surgery. For those curious:

Synvisc is typically administered as a series of three injections into the knee joint, each injection spaced about one week apart. Synvisc has been shown to help alleviate arthritis symptoms for 6 months, and to delay the need for knee replacement surgery.

Hyaluronan, the name of the substance in Synvisc, is present in normal joint fluid and responsible for the lubricating properties of normal joint fluid. The lubricating effects of joint fluid allows for the cartilage surfaces of joints to glide upon each other in a smooth fashion. By injecting Synvisc into a knee joint, some people consider this a so-called joint lubrication. This is why you may hear of Synvisc as a 'motor oil' for the knee joint. Hyaluronan has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and may help protect remaining cartilage in the joint.

[cgori]

My mother had a Synvisc injection that helped during the months leading up to her knee replacement surgery. For those curious:

This is the same treatment that Keith Foulke and Randy Johnson had previously, correct? I recall that RJ needed this injection series about every half-season (one set in pre-season, another around ASB).