Lions' Stafford undergoes shoulder surgery

By MIKE O'HARA
FOXSportsDetroit.com
Jan. 21, 2011

Matthew Stafford has had surgery on his twice-injured right shoulder to speed the recovery process and ensure that the Detroit Lions quarterback will be at full health for the start of training camp.

Surgery was performed Friday by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., after ongoing consultation between Andrews and the Lions' training and medical staff.

Andrews called the surgery "successful" in a statement released by the Lions.

The surgery was done to repair the AC joint in his right (passing) shoulder, Andrews said.

"Matthew's procedure (AC joint repair) today was very successful," Andrews said in the statement. "It went very well. We now have plenty of time for a full recovery in order for him to get ready for next season.

"The procedure is the same one that we have successfully performed on a number of NFL quarterbacks. Matthew has one of the strongest arms in the League, and I am confident that he will be as strong as ever."

It is the second surgery Stafford has had in his two seasons with the Lions. He had knee surgery late in his rookie season of 2009. He also had a left-shoulder injury in '09, but surgery was not required.

The original right-shoulder injury was sustained in the 2010 opening game at Chicago, on a sack by Bears defensive end Julius Peppers. Stafford missed five starts before returning to start two games — a victory over the Redskins and an overtime loss to the Jets.

Stafford's shoulder was reinjured late in the fourth quarter of the Jets game when he was tackled from behind on a scramble and fell on the joint. The Lions had a lead at the time, but the Jets rallied to tie the score at the end of regulation and win the game on the first possession of overtime.

Stafford remained on the 53-player active roster until the final week of the regular season. He followed a rehabilitation plan in an attempt to avoid surgery.

However, he apparently continued to feel some discomfort in the shoulder, even after the season. After further consultations on Monday, surgery was scheduled and performed Friday.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz made the following comments in the statement released Friday:

"After Matt hurt his shoulder in the Jets game, he was examined by both our medical staff and Dr. Andrews. There was a consensus at the time to proceed with a rehabilitation program and not to have surgery.

"Subsequent evaluations toward the end of the season by our staff and Dr. Andrews also confirmed that Matt had been making good progress with his rehab. But after Matt's most recent visit to Dr. Andrews, it was determined by Dr. Andrews that Matt's healing process could be enhanced by undergoing surgery at this time.

"While continuing the rehab program (without surgery) was still a viable option, Matt decided to have the surgery now in order to ensure that he will have plenty of time to recover and rehab prior to the 2011 season. We have full confidence that Matt will be 100 percent before the start of training camp."