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

06/03/2026

We think about joint preservation differently.
It’s not “save the anatomy at all costs.”
It’s “restore a biologically quiet joint environment that can remain durable over time.”

In pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), removal of tissue is only step one: control of biology is the real endpoint.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis, or PVNS, is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of the hip joint’s lining tissue; the synovium.

06/02/2026

A common question patients ask: "How is rotator cuff tendonitis treated?"

For most individuals, treatment starts conservatively with activity modification, ice, appropriate medications, and a focused physical therapy program.

If pain, weakness, or dysfunction persist despite these measures, surgery may be recommended to address the underlying pathology and help restore function.

Successful treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis.

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

05/29/2026

We tend to treat cartilage injury as the beginning of arthritis.

That’s the assumption, but it’s not always accurate.

Many articular cartilage defects are isolated mechanical failures, not global joint disease.

And that distinction matters.

Because one pathway leads to injections and decline tracking.

The other opens the door to restoration techniques designed to preserve joint mechanics and delay or prevent progression.

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

05/28/2026

Did you know that knee pain can sometimes trace back to malalignment of the lower extremity? When the leg isn't perfectly aligned, it places extra stress on the joint.

Dr. Padalecki’s approach focuses on a tailored plan:
1. Non-Surgical: Starting with therapy, bracing, and activity changes.
2. Surgical: When necessary, options like corrective osteotomy or joint replacement can get you moving comfortably again.

Early evaluation is key to preventing long-term wear and tear!

Legs that are described as being “bow legged” or “knock-kneed” (valgus) fall into the category of malalignment of the lower extremity.

05/25/2026

Every joint tells a story.

The marathon runner with a rebuilt knee.
The veteran learning to trust their shoulder again.
The grandfather finally walking pain-free beside his family.

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their bodies in service to something greater than themselves.

05/24/2026

05/23/2026

Pincer Impingement occurs when the hip socket is too deep, trapping the labrum during movement. This leads to cartilage damage and chronic pain.

While pincer impingement specifically involves the socket, most patients have "mixed" impingement which is a combination of Pincer and Cam (femoral side) traits. Recognizing these mechanical issues early is vital for joint preservation.

An acetabuloplasty is a pincer hip impingement treatment. Dr. Padalecki performs this treatment as an arthroscopic procedure to correct the impingement.

05/22/2026

We’ve entered a different era in shoulder surgery.
For years, the focus was fixation strength.

Anchors.
Sutures.
Constructs.

Designing a repair to hold not only today,
but to heal predictably over time.

That’s where graft augmentation changes the equation.

Because successful rotator cuff surgery is not just about repairing tissue.

It’s about engineering an environment where healing has a better chance to win.

Rotator cuff repair with augmentation is a technique used to augment the rotator cuff tear by providing better strength & healing environment.

05/15/2026

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) diagnosis isn’t one test, it’s a structured evaluation.
▪️We start with history + impingement testing (reproducing pain with hip flexion/internal rotation)
▪️Then confirm with X-rays for bony morphology and MRI for labral/cartilage assessment
▪️In select cases, a hip injection helps confirm the true pain generator.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a condition related to the way that the ball and socket of the hip fit together.

05/13/2026

Shoulder replacement surgery has evolved dramatically,but outcomes still come down to the details.
1️⃣ Patient selection matters just as much as implant selection
Not every painful shoulder needs a replacement. Understanding the balance between arthritis severity, rotator cuff integrity, activity demands, and patient expectations is critical to long-term success.

2️⃣ “Pain-free” isn’t the only goal
The best outcomes restore function, sleep, confidence, and quality of life, not just range of motion. Many patients simply want to get back to lifting grandchildren, golfing, or sleeping through the night again.

3️⃣ Technology helps, but individualized planning matters more
Advanced imaging, modern implants, and refined techniques have improved precision, but no two shoulders are the same. Personalized surgical planning still drives reproducible outcomes.

4️⃣ Recovery is won after the OR
Physical therapy, patient compliance, and realistic milestone-setting often determine whether a “good surgery” becomes a great outcome. Surgery is the start of the process, not the finish line.

5️⃣ The best shoulder surgeons know when not to operate
Exhausting appropriate non-operative options first is still part of delivering high-level orthopedic care. The goal should always be the right treatment, not just surgery.

Shoulder replacement surgery takes the natural degenerated cartilage and bone of the shoulder joint and replaces them with metal and plastic components.