Doctor Pedro Luis Ripoll of FIFA's Clinic of Excellence has taken a closer look at the operation on the fifth metatarsal bone of the left foot of Diego Costa.
He will undergo that process in Brazil and it is set to take him out of action for three to four months.
We take a look at the situation and long recovery process of the Atletico striker.
How is this injury caused?
Fundamentally, it comes about as a result of two issues.
The first is a violent twist of the ankle than generates a high energy traction at the end of the fifth metatarsal causing an avulsion fracture.
The second is as a result of mechanical fatigue, meaning the fifth metatarsal suffered from excessive workloads in carrying out sporting tasks, which ultimately produces a fracture.
The operation
In athletes, surgical treatment is always recommended, either by osteosynthesis and fixing the fracture with a screw or by placing a mini-plate to immobilise it.
These surgeries are performed by minimal incision and can last for around 45 minutes with local anaesthetic on the foot.
The player will be unable to use it for a period of up to three weeks before being able to remove the protective casing in order to begin his rehabilitation.
In the case of a follow-up operation, as is the case with Costa, this process can usually take longer and be around four to six weeks.
Recovery
As the fracture consolidates, the mobility of the ankle should be preserved as well as the rest of the joints of the foot.
Also, depending on how the surgery has gone, support should begin as directed by doctors and general conditioning work and a strict diet will be adhered to.
Return to competition
It will take between three to four months before Costa can return to compete with his usual fiery and competitive character.
This trait could potentially be harmful for him in his recovery process, as care must be taken when it comes to the re-setting and consolidation of bone fractures in order to properly correct it.
Tosbmnryz
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Hope Costa can recover soon to play in the UCL
Dannydrexx
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This injury is as a result Griezman not supporting him not instead umtiti
Messifan19873
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fuckers always hurt like bale. great talents wasted by injuries
dandelion
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About to use that Diego Costa China money to bring him.
masaboot
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I really hope you are wrong, Diego is one of my favourite recent Atleti players and I had such big hopes when he returned... I still believe in him though. He has scored against R.Madrid and Barcelona this season, and I think he'll step up in the CL-knockouts when the big games come around. He just needs to get his confidence back
Jasonwarden
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This is for the best in my opinion. He has clearly been carrying something since the summer, he simply hasn't had the tenacity, pace and intensity to his play that makes him the player he is. Getting this over with now could prove to be the difference towards the end of the season when the big games start piling up. It will also give Correa, Gelson or Kalinic a chance to stake a claim for the first backup role in the striker position
lingba
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Maybe Correa will shift to ST and Gelson will play on the wing instead? I don't think Simeone trusts Gelson enough to play in a wide role, atleast not yet. And to be fair he has looked pretty good as a striker. Quick in behind, good movement and a good dribbler. He just needs to improve his decision making Correa's role will depend on what happens with Vitolo aswell. If Simeone keeps refusing to play him then Angelito will be needed on the wings
missyou
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I think you have a chace or getting him back with cutrone and 15 mil if you still miss him lolol
Dirk41
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God damn I thought it said Douglas Costa
Missouri
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Still take him back in a heartbeat.
Superless
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A striker with one whole season of consistency in his whole career and even then he got injured at the most important part of the season. Diego just gets a pass from everybody. Benzema is supposedly washed up but Costa is still somehow relevant.