Newswise — MAYWOOD, Il. -- Surgery to repair the type of ACL knee injury suffered by Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is successful in 90 percent of cases, according to sports medicine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pietro Tonino of Loyola University Medical Center.

But even if Rose's surgery is successful, his knee probably will not get back 100 percent of its function. "His knee will be almost normal, but not completely normal," Tonino said.Nevertheless, many professional athletes have been able to return to a high level of performance after ACL injuries, Tonino said.

"With Rose's physical ability, he may be able to perform at a very high level, where the difference between a normal and an abnormal knee would be almost imperceptible to most people who see him play," Tonino said.

It typically takes six to nine months to recover from surgery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Rose likely will need to wear a knee brace for up to a year after the injury, Tonino said.

Tonino is Loyola's program director of sports medicine. He has repaired thousands of ACL tears.