Chicago Bears DE Corey Wootton Had Surgery in Hinsdale

There was a Bear sighting in Hinsdale recently.

Chicago Bears defensive end Corey Wootton underwent successful arthroscopic hip surgery last week at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, according to a hospital release.

The hip arthroscopy procedure, performed by Dr. Benjamin Domb, was meant to repair to Wootton's hip labrum while decompressing a terminal femoroacetabular impingement.

A hip labrum is the cartilage ring that holds together the ball and socket of the hip joint. It acts as a shock absorber in the joint and helps provide hip stability. When it tears, it can cause extreme hip pain, and a person may experience clicking or catching in the joint.

Femoroacetabular impingement occurs when a person’s hip bones are abnormally shaped. When the hip bones do not fit together correctly, they can rub against the labrum and cartilage, causing joint damage.  One of the most common types of impingement is cam impingement, where the hip’s ball, or femoral head, is out of round.

Wootton has been dealing with the injury for the last two seasons. Playing defensive end at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, Wootton needs a lot of force coming out of his three-point stance to play effectively.  

"Corey is an incredible athlete and physical specimen and generates tremendous power with his body," Domb said. "In order to perform at his elite level, he needs a well-functioning hip."

Wootton said all went well with the procedure, and he is excited to work through the recovery process.

"I’m looking forward to being 100 percent recovered from this, to really showcase what I can do," he said.

A free agent this upcoming offseason, Wootton recorded 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks with the Bears during the 2013 season. Over the course of his four-year career, Wootton has 54 tackles, 17 assisted tackles and 11.5 sacks.

"Now that he has had his hip issue repaired, my expectation is that Corey will perform even better on the field than in previous years," Domb said.

Specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the hip, Domb is a pioneer of cutting edge procedures for hip problems. He offers innovative treatment for hip injuries, such as impingement and labral tears, and is considered one of the leading experts in the U.S. in hip arthroscopy.  Domb treats patients from across the country, and has cared for numerous professional athletes.

Source: Adventist Hinsdale Hospital release