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

11/14/2025

When tightness in your IT band and hip bursitis become a problem, Dr. Padalecki can help with a fasciotomy.

This minimally invasive procedure involves a small release in the fascia at the area of greatest tightness, plus removal of inflamed tissue through a trochanteric bursectomy. Most patients can go home the same day and start rehabilitation focused on core strength, hip stability, and continued stretching.

A Fasciotomy is an Iliotibial band release technique in which a small release in the fascia is performed over the area of maximum tightness.

11/13/2025

Injuries to the meniscus cartilage are among the most common seen in sports, but they can also happen during everyday activities that involve an awkward twist or squat.
The meniscus is a tough, C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the thighbone and shinbone, helping stabilize the knee.

A torn meniscus can result from:
⚡ Sports injuries or sudden twisting
⚡ Squatting or pivoting
⚡ Age-related degeneration

A meniscus injury occurs most often in sports during an unnatural twisting or squatting injury to the knee.

11/11/2025

Today, we stop, reflect, and say “thank you.” To the veterans of Austin and beyond: your courage, sacrifice, and quiet strength protect freedoms we often take for granted. From our family to yours, we honor your service, listen to your stories, and stand ready to care for your health. If you’re a veteran in the Austin area and need support with joint pain, mobility, or recovery, our doors are open.

11/06/2025

11/04/2025

Shoulder pain holding you back?

Rotator cuff tendonitis often improves with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory care, but recovery doesn’t stop there.

Physical therapy helps rebuild strength and restore motion.
If pain continues, surgery may be needed to repair the tendon or remove inflamed tissue.

Rotator cuff tendonitis is commonly caused by repetitive overhead activities, such as throwing or lifting, or a rotator cuff injury.

11/03/2025

What a journey for Yoshinobu Yamamoto! From a rising star in Japan to delivering a championship moment for the Dodgers. Legacy sealed. Dynasty confirmed. 🏆⚾️

Yet another superhuman effort for Yoshinobu Yamamato, who has already earned every penny of that $325 million deal from the Dodgers.

10/31/2025

Knee cartilage damage? Here’s how surgeons repair it:
1️⃣ Chondroplasty – Trims damaged cartilage using a small camera and instruments. Ideal for partial-thickness defects.
2️⃣ Microfracture – Creates tiny holes in the bone to stimulate natural fibrocartilage growth. Great for full-thickness defects.
3️⃣ Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OAT) – Transfers cartilage plugs from your own knee to repair the damaged area.
4️⃣ Osteochondral Allograft Transplant – Uses donor cartilage and bone for larger defects.

Articular cartilage defect surgeries include chondroplasty, Microfracture, osteochaondral autograft transfer & osteonchondral allograft transplantation.

10/30/2025

Think running a marathon is just about endurance?
Here are 7 surprising things that happen to your body when you hit the 26.2 miles. Science explains why your muscles, heart, and even your brain react in unexpected ways.

Whether you're a beginner, or a veteran, here's workout advice to master your fitness, train smarter, and take your outdoor adventure to the next level.

10/28/2025

Arthroscopic Gluteus Medius/Minimus Repair

If pain persists despite therapy, Dr. Jeff Padalecki offers a minimally invasive repair that:
✅ Uses small incisions + camera guidance
✅ Reattaches the torn tendon to bone with sutures
✅ Removes inflamed bursal tissue
✅ May include IT band release for better healing + less pain

This approach helps patients return to activity with less scarring and faster recovery.

When conservative treatment for a tear to the gluteus muscles, a gluteus medius repair or a minimus muscle repair may be recommended.

10/24/2025

AC joint separation?
✅ Mild: Rest + sling + therapy
⚠️ Severe: Surgery may be needed to prevent chronic instability

Reconstruction restores the collarbone’s position + ligament strength. Return to sport: ~3–4 months.

When an AC separation is not healing, an AC separation treatment may be recommended by Dr. Jeff Padalecki.

10/20/2025

fter eight weeks of the season, what stands out is less the dominance of a few programs and more the rise of uncertainty across the board.

Parity is the new normal. As one recent analysis puts it: “Teams ranked in the top 10 have already lost 14 games through Week 7, tied for the most of any season in the past decade.” https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46650488/who-trust-week-8-college-football-season-ohio-state-alabama-georgia

Parity has been the theme of the season, making it hard to know what's what. Bill Connelly is here to help.