Rodan, 26, opted to have the radical new LARS [Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System] procedure, used with great success by Sydney Swan Nick Malceski, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at training in December.
Malceski made his comeback just 12 weeks after undergoing the revolutionary surgery, which speeds up rehabilitation by inserting an industrial-strength synthetic fibre into the joint.
Rodan is making similar progress to the Swans’ defender, but said not enough was known about the surgery to put an exact date on his return.
“I’d love to say I can be back in 12 weeks, but I really don’t know,” Rodan said on Friday.
“It’s obviously something new to all of us, so [the doctors and I] are just going through it week to week. It’s pretty mind blowing how quickly my recovery has been fast-tracked, but until I can do the stuff I used to do I won’t come back.”
The elusive onballer had a traditional reconstruction on his right knee in 2005 after landing awkwardly during a pre-season game for former club Richmond.
Rodan said he jumped at the chance to more than half his time on the sidelines when he discovered he was eligible for the LARS procedure.
“I was pretty lucky that my ACL wasn’t fully torn and I was able to have the [LARS] surgery,” he said.
“I’m 26 at the moment and in your late-20s you don’t really want to waste a year and I’ve already wasted one year with my right knee."
Rodan was able to walk with crutches just two days after the surgery and was back jogging within a month.
Now, he’s able to run at close to full speed - a milestone usually reached around the five-month-mark of a traditional reconstruction.
His next challenge will be testing out his knee in basic agility work.
“I’ve done a fair bit of running over the last couple of weeks and the knee is feeling really good,” Rodan said.
“It feels really strong, but in saying that I don’t know when I’ll start doing agility work and getting into games. It’s a fair way away. We’re taking it slowly, seeing how I pull up each week and then if we can we’ll accelerate it.”
Rodan has sought regular advice from Malceski and also Adelaide Lightning basketball Renee Camino, who had the LARS surgery last year.
With the first NAB Cup game just two weeks away, Rodan said it would be hard to adhere to the cautious rehabilitation approach.
“Seeing the guys train and knowing that games are just around the corner, everyone is getting a bit excited including myself.
"It just drives me to get back, but at the same time the doctors have got to be smart with it. I have full confidence that the medicos here will get me back on track.”
