Spencer Lee had shoulder surgery ... out for some time ...

[Tom McAndrew]

appears he won't be able to defend his Ironman and Powerade titles.

after returning from Junior Worlds, his should was examined and it was found that he had a torn labrum. After the subsequent shoulder surgery, he's out for some time. He's hoping to make it back in time to qualify for and wrestle at States.

you can read more in a Pittsburgh Tribune Review article at THIS LINK.

here's hoping that his rehab goes well.

 

[clucas]

His performance at Worlds even more amazing given this information.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

appears he won't be able to defend his Ironman and Powerade titles.

after returning from Junior Worlds, his should was examined and it was found that he had a torn labrum. After the subsequent shoulder surgery, he's out for some time. He's hoping to make it back in time to qualify for and wrestle at States.

you can read more in a Pittsburgh Tribune Review article at THIS LINK.

here's hoping that his rehab goes well.

man, i hate shoulders. you just never know. altons were never the same.

 

[PSU Mike]

Damn, the downside to the sport. Hoping for a full recovery...

 

[lionlover]

man, i hate shoulders. you just never know. altons were never the same.

Excellent point. Let's hope he's young enough that his body can heal properly.

 

[Maddog]

Excellent point. Let's hope he's young enough that his body can heal properly.

And that he doesn't rush back into action too soon, before full healing occurs.

 

[Cold Smoke]

man, i hate shoulders. you just never know. altons were never the same.

Always wondered if the Altons did not give their initial recoveries long enough. Lee has more time to heal if he takes it.

 

[El-Jefe]

One big difference is that the twins injured both shoulders but could only get 1 repaired at a time. Lee's injury appears to be only to one shoulder.

Side note: the surgeon played football for Joe, and his brother is now defensive coordinator at UCLA. Hopefully he implanted the PSU Commitment Chip while in there.

Seriously, wishing Lee a full recovery, speedy if possible, but full recovery more important.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Just a note: the surgery was performed by Dr. James Bradley, a former PSU football player (and team captain), and the brother of former PSU player and coach Tom Bradley (he had another brother, Matt, who also played football for PSU). He's been the Steeler's team orthopedic surgeon for 26 years.

 

[lionlover]

Just a note: the surgery was performed by Dr. James Bradley, a former PSU football player (and team captain), and the brother of former PSU player and coach Tom Bradley (he had another brother, Matt, who also played football for PSU). He's been the Steeler's team orthopedic surgeon for 26 years.

I am glad UCLA isn't a factor in wrestling!

 

[CropDuster507]

Labrums are an SOB. Hope his heals (and stays healed) better than either of mine did.

 

[manmythlegend1]

And that he doesn't rush back into action too soon, before full healing occurs.

Exactly..that state title is not worth coming back for if the shoulder could use more time. This kid could be a future Olympic champion if he can stay healthy. Take care of that shoulder, don't feel you need to come back to early.....your future is to bright!!

 

[lionlover]

"After he had an MRI, Bradley told Lee he had a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
He had five anchors put in to repair the damage and rebuild the shoulder.

Ouch, I have no medical training, but this sounds very severe. I wonder what the prognosis for full recovery is for this type of injury? Any doctors out there??

 

[SpikingWhamos]

"After he had an MRI, Bradley told Lee he had a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
He had five anchors put in to repair the damage and rebuild the shoulder.

Ouch, I have no medical training, but this sounds very severe. I wonder what the prognosis for full recovery is for this type of injury? Any doctors out there??

I'll post this at home-base, too:
The anchors are standard on the labrum repair. It's a bizarre piece of equipment, the labrum, just a thin ring of cartilage that serves as an O-ring for the joint. If it tears (and there are two primary ways it can tear), they re-attach it to the bone with anchors and hope that it reattaches.


If it is a SLAP tear, one of those anchors likely will go right through the biceps tendon, reducing the ability to lift things for months (nothing heavier than cup of coffee for ~3 months, gallon of milk for ~4 if I'm remembering my timeline right.)

I'm betting it's a SLAP, because the Bankart tear is normally more from trauma rather than use. A severe dislocation, for example. "My shoulder felt kind of weird so I got it checked" definitely fits more with a SLAP. The Bankart is more "hey my shoulder keeps coming out of the socket what gives?".

Could also hit the jackpot and have both! That was my specialty.

As for the rebuild, that could just be a journalist interpreting the medical procedure, or it could refer to a joint capsule repair, which generally becomes loose after multiple dislocations, also enabling MORE dislocations. That's not something they'd normally do for someone that young without dislocation history, though. The shoulder naturally tightens itself up as you get older.

It's a bitch of a recovery because there's really no rehab you can do for a while, because any movement can impede reattachment. Then, the combo of the surgery and the inactivity means losing a TON of range of motion, which is excruciating to get back. Competitive athletes normally don't have issues with that part, though, so a successful surgery normally means a 95%+ successful recovery these days. Whether they did this open or with a scope matters too. Scope has a higher failure rate, but (obviously) less "I'm running a scalpel through your muscles now" damage.

Thought I'd chime in with my "expertise". Take this all with the typical grains of salt, I'm not a doctor, just a frequent patient!

 

[lionlover]

I'll post this at home-base, too:
The anchors are standard on the labrum repair. It's a bizarre piece of equipment, the labrum, just a thin ring of cartilage that serves as an O-ring for the joint. If it tears (and there are two primary ways it can tear), they re-attach it to the bone with anchors and hope that it reattaches.


If it is a SLAP tear, one of those anchors likely will go right through the biceps tendon, reducing the ability to lift things for months (nothing heavier than cup of coffee for ~3 months, gallon of milk for ~4 if I'm remembering my timeline right.)

I'm betting it's a SLAP, because the Bankart tear is normally more from trauma rather than use. A severe dislocation, for example. "My shoulder felt kind of weird so I got it checked" definitely fits more with a SLAP. The Bankart is more "hey my shoulder keeps coming out of the socket what gives?".

Could also hit the jackpot and have both! That was my specialty.

As for the rebuild, that could just be a journalist interpreting the medical procedure, or it could refer to a joint capsule repair, which generally becomes loose after multiple dislocations, also enabling MORE dislocations. That's not something they'd normally do for someone that young without dislocation history, though. The shoulder naturally tightens itself up as you get older.

It's a bitch of a recovery because there's really no rehab you can do for a while, because any movement can impede reattachment. Then, the combo of the surgery and the inactivity means losing a TON of range of motion, which is excruciating to get back. Competitive athletes normally don't have issues with that part, though, so a successful surgery normally means a 95%+ successful recovery these days. Whether they did this open or with a scope matters too. Scope has a higher failure rate, but (obviously) less "I'm running a scalpel through your muscles now" damage.

Thought I'd chime in with my "expertise". Take this all with the typical grains of salt, I'm not a doctor, just a frequent patient!

My wife is a Physical Therapist. She echoed what you said. The recovery rates are generally better in athletes because of their ability to push through pain. She also said (which is no surprise) the younger he is, the better chance he has for a great recovery. The one thing she emphasized was that it was critical that he not lift anything heavy for a long time. She said "with a young athlete that is one of the drawbacks. They tend to be very restless and want to push the envelope too soon. The energy that makes them exceptional is also the energy that can lead to their further demise."

Not much guys, but at least it is from a professional that I trust. By the way, it's not because she is my wife that I respect her opinion in this area so much. She works for a major hospital with about nine other physical therapists. Most of the doctors and nurses come to be treated by my wife instead of seeing the other therapists. .

 

[BDB57]

As much as I want Spencer wearing Blue and White with PSU on it, It would be much prefered that he is healthy and can reach his immense potential where ever that may be.

Wishing him the absolute best!

 

[BDB57]

Anyone know how Anthony Cassar's injury compares to Spense's?? I thought his poped out of the socket. Damned......hate injuries in this sport and I haven't heard of them much before the Altons and McD's from Iowa.

I was also concerned when Ed had his shoulder torqued in a FS tournament this summer.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Over the past decade, several 125 champs have had to deal with serious shoulder injuries; Nickerson, Escobedo, McDonough & Delgado. Not sure if that is just coincidence or if the light weights are more susceptible to shoulder injuries but they all had a very difficult time returning to 100%.

 

[Brian LB-U]

Everyone reacts differently to surgery. Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery for young Spencer. I'm sure Dr. Bradley is looking forward to watching him fulfill his potential in helping Cael's crew win another title.

 

[jrod9]

Here is a quick email back and forth I had with my bro-in-law last night who is an orthopedic surgeon in the Navy. I went with SLAP tear as referenced above.

After he had an MRI, Bradley told Lee he had a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had five anchors put in to repair the damage and rebuild the shoulder. How long to recover 100%? Also, what is the likelihood this affects him again in the future? He is a wrestler.

It depends on type of tear and whether there was instability associated with the tear. In general, 6-9 months, but sometimes a year if he experiences any post op stiffness.

SLAP tear…whatever that means. Is there a chance of lingering issues or re-injury in the shoulder because of this?

How old is he?

16…..Just wondering if this could bite him in the ass down the road? In good hands too I assume. Being done by Steelers orthopedic surgeon.

Bradley is very good. He's given me some personal tips on labral surgery and I've heard him speak a couple times. SLAP tears are problematic. Re operation rate is high but I don't think it will get in his way. U.S. Military surgeons are starting to believe that the salvage re operation may be better than the primary fix. Either way, it shouldn't ruin his career.

 

[jtothemfp]

Daaaammn, thanks fellas. Not often you get such intelligent & responsible medical discussion on a message board.

Good internetting imo!

 

[Cold Smoke]

Daaaammn, thanks fellas. Not often you get such intelligent & responsible medical discussion on a message board.

Good internetting imo!

Absolutely! Think of this situation, even ten years ago. Wrestling fans outside western PA would know little or nothing about this situation. Message board use at its best.