Phillies' Utley to have hip surgery

The surgeon will insert a tiny camera to examine Utley's painful right hip along with other pencil-thin instruments to repair it.

From the Phillies' description, Temple University orthopedic surgeon Pekka Mooar suspects that Utley has a tear in the labrum, the thick rubbery cartilage on the edge of the hip socket; some excess bone growth impinging on the joint; or both.

It also could be cartilage that has broken off from the joint, Mooar said.

The Phillies estimated that Utley's full recovery will take four to six months.

Mooar generally agreed.

A torn labrum might take only three months, he said. Loose cartilage could mean four months, and if the bone growth needs to be removed, full recovery could take six months.

"I think the elite athletes probably have a better chance of getting better," said Mooar, who is not involved in the case. That's because professional athletes can get as much physical therapy as needed.

Read his blog at http://go.philly.com/phillieszone.