Coach Paul Hewitt said Wednesday that Bell, who started 22 games last season, was diagnosed with a congenital condition known as spinal stenosis.
Bell, from Los Angeles, felt numbness in his extremities after he hit his head on a teammate's leg while diving for a ball during a workout on Oct. 10.
Bell was examined on Tuesday by Dr. John Heller, a specialist at Emory Orthopedic and Spine Center, and was told at that time he would not be able to play this season.
The stenosis, a narrowing and compression of the spinal cord, is located in the cervical portion of Bell's spine.
The 6-foot-6 Bell was recently touted by Hewitt as one of the team's leaders.
``It hurts not to be able to play,'' Bell said in a statement released by Georgia Tech.
``But I know God has a plan for me, and I need to do what is best for my future. My focus now will be on making sure I do what I need to do academically to finish up in the spring. I have to have the surgery whether I want to play again or not, so I probably will do that during winter break.''
Georgia Tech said no timetable has been set for Bell's surgery.
Georgia Tech team orthopedist Dr. John Xerogeanes said the surgery is ``necessary for his quality of life, whether he plays basketball again or not.''
Bell, a management major on track to graduate in May, averaged 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season.
``We're very disappointed for D'Andre,'' Hewitt said. ``At the same time, however, he was fortunate to have caught this before something catastrophic happened on the court.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/10/214514