Jeff Padalecki, MD - Austin Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

12/12/2025

What Happens After Pincer Impingement Surgery?

Recovery starts right away. Patients begin a structured rehab program immediately after surgery, working with a physical therapist to safely restore hip motion while protecting the repaired areas.

Most people use crutches for 3–8 weeks, depending on the procedure performed, and may also wear a hip brace to support healing.

The outlook is strong because acetabuloplasty (often paired with labral repair) shows high patient satisfaction, reduced pain, and a successful return to activity. https://drjeffpadaleckimd.com/acetabuloplasty-pincer-impingement-austin-texas/

12/10/2025

Q: What’s the difference between a meniscus repair and a partial meniscectomy?
A: The meniscus, your knee’s shock absorber, helps protect cartilage and stabilize the joint. When torn, it may lose function and cause early cartilage wear.

🔹 Meniscus Repair: the tear is stitched to heal
🔹 Partial Meniscectomy: the damaged section is removed

Your surgeon chooses the option based on tear type, location, and knee health.

For larger meniscus tears, or tears that have failed non-operative management, a meniscus repair is typically recommended.

12/09/2025

🧠💤 Your training plan might be missing a key factor: brain fatigue. New research shows mental exhaustion can slow your performance just as much as physical fatigue.

Brain fatigue really does slow you down, new research suggests

12/05/2025

Think running is all sweat and seriousness? Think again! Competitive food races mix the thrill of the race with your favorite treats: beer, tacos, doughnuts, you name it. One mile or ultramarathon, it’s a feast of fun. https://www.si.com/eats/competitive-food-races-digital-cover

From beer to tacos to doughnuts, the running community has taken these gluttonous treats and added them to anything from one-milers to ultramarathons.

12/04/2025

12/02/2025

A dislocated shoulder often presents with:
🔹 Severe pain (sometimes shooting down the arm)
🔹 Muscle spasms
🔹 Limited or no arm movement
🔹 Numbness or tingling
🔹 A noticeable deformity
🔹 Bruising or discoloration
🔹 Weakness or a “popping” feeling

Seek immediate evaluation. In most cases, clinicians can perform a reduction, manually guiding the joint back into place which is a procedure that often provides rapid pain relief.

Athletes, in particular, are at risk for a dislocated shoulder when participating in competitive activities.

11/28/2025

Cartilage damage is a common cause of knee pain and dysfunction, especially in active individuals. Unlike other tissues, cartilage has almost no blood supply, which means it cannot heal on its own. When a cartilage defect develops, surgeons select treatment based on several key factors:
🔹 Lesion size (small, medium, large)
🔹 Chronicity (acute injury vs. long-standing wear)
🔹 Patient age (younger patients heal differently)
🔹 Activity level (sport demands, impact tolerance)
🔹 Quality of surrounding cartilage and bone

Because every defect behaves differently, multiple surgical strategies exist from smoothing the surface to regrowing a patient’s own cells. https://drjeffpadaleckimd.com/cartilage-injuries-austin-texas/

A knee cartilage injury is commonly seen in sporting activities. Symptoms of cartilage damage in knee can range from dull aching and swelling to lock knee.

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Dr Padalecki is reflecting on the strength he witnesses in his patients daily. Whether you're here in Austin or thousands of miles away, your courage on the path to healing is something he is deeply grateful for. Wishing you a holiday filled w/hope and rest!

11/25/2025

Partial psoas lengthening is a targeted procedure used to treat psoas impingement. Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Small incisions are made around the hip.
2️⃣ A camera is inserted to assess the tendon and surrounding structures.
3️⃣ Dr. Padalecki identifies the tight portion of the psoas tendon.
4️⃣ Small cuts (a partial release) are made to allow the tendon to elongate.
This reduces the tension causing the tendon to catch or snap over the pelvis, helping restore comfort and mobility. https://drjeffpadaleckimd.com/partial-psoas-lengthening-austin-texas/

In many cases of psoas impingement, Dr. Padalecki will opt to use an arthroscopic surgical approach known as partial psoas lengthening.

11/20/2025

What are the symptoms of ?
🔹 Dull, aching pain (often worse early on)
🔹 Stiffness and limited mobility
🔹 Weakness and difficulty lifting the arm
If reaching overhead or behind your back feels harder every week, it may be more than soreness.

Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the shoulder joint which can restrict motion and cause chronic pain.

11/17/2025

Philly is buzzing, and for good reason. The Eagles’ high-scoring, physical play style has them chasing a third Super Bowl in four seasons. Are we witnessing the birth of the NFL’s next dynasty? 🏈

Once a team reaches the rare territory of being discussed as a dynasty, the football public inevitably grows tired of all the winning and begins to root for tha