Matt Stafford's Surgery A Success
Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford underwent successful shoulder surgery Friday, the team announced.
"It went very well. We now have plenty of time for a full recovery in order for him to get ready for next season." said Dr. James Andrews, who performed the procedure.
"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," Dr. Andrews said.
The decision to have surgery came after consultation this week between Andrews and the Lions medical staff.
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said it was originally decided that Stafford would skip the surgery, but plans changed after the QB's most recent visit to Dr. Andrews, this past Monday.
"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," Schwartz said.
"We have full confidence that Matt will be one-hundred percent before the start of training camp," he said.
The final week of December, the Lions annouced that Stafford's season was officially over as the quarterback as he was placed on injured reserve -- Schwartz saying that Stafford is just not at the point of his rehab where he could make all the throws that he needed to and also take the hits necessary to play the position.
At that time, both Stafford and Schwartz seemed confident that surgery would not be needed on the injured shoulder. (More on this, here).
