Uncertainty surrounds Dani Carvajal’s recovery timeline after his recent right knee surgery. The Real Madrid captain, who underwent another operation to remove a loose body in the joint, faces an unpredictable rehabilitation process. Although the initial estimate suggested a two-month absence, several factors could shorten or prolong his return.

According to traumatologist Pedro Luis Ripoll, a renowned expert in sports medicine, this type of injury can be more complex than it appears. “A loose body in the joint is a fragment of the knee’s articular surface that detaches and moves freely inside the joint. Its movement can cause it to become trapped in active areas, potentially blocking the joint and leading to a serious injury. Removing it, as Real Madrid has done, is the right decision,” Ripoll explained.

He also detailed that the severity and recovery time depend on three key factors: the size of the fragment and the gap it leaves, its location—especially if it affects a weight-bearing area—and the cause. “It could stem from a mechanical insufficiency of the cruciate ligament, a lack of cushioning by the meniscus, or, in the best-case scenario, a degenerative process typical of players’ knees over the years,” Ripoll concluded.

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