NBA

Knicks have to be patient with Amare’s injured back

The Knicks would be wise to have a conservative approach with ailing Amar’e Stoudemire and have him ready to go for the NBA playoffs instead of rushing him back sooner, according to one medical expert on bulging disks.

Stoudemire sought a second opinion Tuesday night in Miami after the Knicks announced Monday he would undergo non-surgical treatment and be out indefinitely. People familiar with the situation said having Stoudemire ready for the first round, which would begin at the end of April, is the club’s goal.

Dr. Wellington Hsu , an orthopedic surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago who specializes in sports medicine, told The Post a common procedure to treat bulging disks for pro athletes is an epidural steroid injection in addition to oral anti-inflammatory medication.

That treatment conceivably could get Stoudemire back on the court in as fast as 10 days, but Hsu said it would be unwise. According to Hsu, back-strengthening, rehab exercises to increase power in the core over a four-week period is the likeliest course to give Stoudemire a chance of not being prone to reinjuring it.

Hsu, who has not treated Stoudemire, has done studies on NBA players with bulging disk injuries.

“They need him to withstand the rigors of a seven-game series,’’ said Hsu, who is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

“The more you wait, the likelihood is of getting stronger. He needs to demonstrate full range of motion of his back without any pain. The question they are probably asking is how long to shut activity down and work on his core, seeing they have the playoffs in mind and using that as a timetable.’’

The Knicks end their regular-season schedule April 26 in Charlotte and the playoffs begin two days later.

People familiar with the situation said Stoudemire’s MRI exam was so conclusive, it is doubtful surgery is on the table for now. Surgery would put Stoudemire out for the playoffs, too. The conversations are linked to the course of treatment and a lot depends upon how Stoudemire responds to them.

Stoudemire suffered back spasms and a pulled back muscle in Game 2 of the first round vs. Boston last April and was very limited the rest of the series. He spent six months rehabbing.

Hsu said it is possible Stoudemire had a bulging disk for a while and that caused spasms and a muscle pull. Stoudemire said Saturday night after his back stiffened it was a separate injury from Boston. Hsu also said a bulging disk doesn’t go away unless surgery takes place.

“Surgery is a very reasonable option,’’ Hsu said of the offseason.