"Gerald Henderson's breakthrough season has become a breakdown offseason.

Henderson had successful surgery in Vail, Colo., Tuesday on his left hip to repair a torn labrum. He'll be on crutches for eight weeks. The Bobcats anticipate the surgery putting Henderson out four to six months.

Former Duke star Henderson originally went to the Vail-based Steadman Clinic to inquire about ongoing knee pain. Doctors there diagnosed that his pain was actually a byproduct of a congenital issue with his hip. Dr. Marc Philippon, the Steadman Clinic's hip specialist, operated Tuesday.

"Gerald had some knee tendinitis issues this season, and the doctors have told us that fixing this congenital defect in his hip should alleviate those problems," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said in a prepared statement.

"The doctors also feel that addressing the hip issue now will help prevent the possibility of further damage in the future."

A labrum is the ring of cartilage that surrounds the ball-and-socket joints, such as hips and shoulders. Fixing them can be tricky, as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jonny Flynn experienced last season.

Flynn had surgery in late July, also to fix a torn hip labrum and also performed by Dr. Philippon. He was back in December, but hip problems lingered and Flynn missed 29 games over the course of the season.

Much of Henderson's value relates to his explosive, above-the-rim game, so healthy hips are a must. Based on the recovery schedule, he would be back for training camp in October, though camps could be delayed considerably by an anticipated lockout of NBA players.

Henderson, the 12th pick in the 2009 draft, went from the fringes of the Bobcats' rotation last season to a starter with a promising future."