Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming has successfully underwent surgery on his broken left foot, a procedure that he hopes will allow him to resume his NBA career in 2010.

The Houston Rockets team physician Tom Clanton and Dr. Bill McGarvey conducted the surgery to repair a broken bone at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

“Everything went according to plan and we were able to achieve not only fixation of the broken bone but also realignment of the bones to improve the stress pattern on his foot,” said Clanton. “We expect him to be immobilized in a cast and using crutches for at least 6-8 weeks.”

The seven-time NBA All-Star will spend the next few days in the hospital.

Yao is not expected to return next season, but he is expected to be ready for the training camp in October 2010.

The seven-foot-six center remains optimistic about the surgery and reassured fans that he will return.