The Chinese basketballer Yao Ming's undergone successful surgery to repair the fracture in his left foot that's ruled him out for the whole of the next NBA season.
The Houston Rockets say the operation on the 7ft 6in centre included additional procedures to "change the alignment of his foot" and prevent the injury recurring.
The seven-times All Star has been blighted by injuries in recent years, the latest of which had been described by the Houston Rockets doctor as "career threatening".
He will be in a cast and on crutches for the least 6-8 weeks but the Rockets have already confirmed Yao will sit out the entire 2009-10 season to allow his full recuperation.
