There is a thing called "best practices" in medicine. Surgery is never the first option if any other option is available. Doing it any other way would be, in your own words, "playing games". I know quite a bit about this. I hear about it every day. My wife is a long time malpractice claims adjuster representing half the hospitals and doctors in the state of Louisiana. Performing surgery without first eliminating other less invasive options would open up a can of malpractice worms. That is a fact.

No that is because most claims adjusters try and limit their cost so they always go with the conservative approach. Anyone who has been hurt on the job knows how those people work. The saints and Max do not have that issue.

No. Claims adjusters have nothing to do with it. It is the legal system. Doctors have to always attempt the less invasive option first or they are liable. The Saints, as a liable party, have to also abide by those practices.

Claim adjusters are only ever involved AFTER something has been done medically. They are NEVER involved with any ongoing case. You have no clue what you are talking about.

They're not liable if they explain your full options to you and risk, and then you sign with full knowledge. It has EVERYTHING to do with claims adjusters and saving money

I worked for a medical claims company for 17.5 years. I know all about medical claims. That is different than malpractice claims. Completely different animals. Medical insurance and its claims are all about holding down costs and protecting the patient and/or employer. Malpractice insurance and its claims are all about protecting the hospital/doctor from lawsuits.

Surgery also opens up risk to things such as infection and nerve damage. No reputable surgeon would encourage surgery until all other options had been addressed. That is not how things work in the medical arena.

But, in Unger's case it was properly managed and surgery was done within a time frame that would return him to the field in time for the regular season.

You keep believing those silly things.