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Over the past week, Cleveland Cavaliers swingman Luke Jackson has complained of worsening right leg and back pain. He was examined by Dr. Gordon Bell and Dr. Richard Parker at The Cleveland Clinic and underwent further studies including x-rays and a MRI.

It was determined that Luke has a Rt L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposa (HNP), also known as a herniated disc.

Surgery has been recommended.

This is unrelated to the herniated disc that was operated on in January of 2005 (Rt L5-S1 HNP) which he recovered from completely.

He was accompanied by Dr. Parker for a second opinion with Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles, CA and Dr. Watkins concurred with the opinion of the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic.

Luke is scheduled for surgery on Thursday, May 4th at The Cleveland Clinic and will pursue his rehabilitation immediately thereafter.

The rehabilitation process is projected to take approximately four months, with him being fully ready for training camp next season.

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