Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal underwent successful foot surgery, it was announced Sept. 11.

O’Neal’s surgical procedure, known as a cheilectomy, consisted of the removal of bone spurs that have caused pain and restricted the joint motion in his right foot.

The surgery was performed the morning of Sept. 11 at UCLA’s Outpatient Surgery Center by Dr. Robert Mohr, chief of the Division of Podiatric Surgery and his team at the University Podiatry Group. Recovery and rehabilitation time for O’Neal is expected to be approximately six to eight weeks.

O’Neal, a nine-time All-NBA selection, has led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships. During the recently completed 2001-02 season, O’Neal averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds and was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive season.