Eric Fehr underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder this past Saturday, but it’s possible the winger won’t be ready for the start of the 2011-12 regular season, Capitals team physician Ben Shaffer said.
Two summers ago, Fehr underwent surgery on both his left and right shoulder in Cleveland. When he collided with now former Capitals center David Steckel on Jan. 14 against Vancouver, Fehr dislocated his right shoulder joint, the injury ripping the labrum cartilage from the bone. He missed 22 games before returning, but still had instability problems with his shoulder and continued to play while rehabilitating the injury late in the season.
Shaffer, who did not perform Fehr’s previous procedure, said that on Saturday he reattached the labrum.
“As disconcerting as it is for Eric to have to go through this again, the ball and socket looked healthy and he doesn’t have arthritis in his shoulder,” Shaffer said. “[The procedure] went perfectly.”
Recovery can take four to six months, Shaffer said, and Fehr’s arm will be in a sling for two weeks after the procedure.
“When he comes out of the sling, he’ll go through a very specific rehab program intending to get back his motion and strength and the rhythm of the shoulder back,” Shaffer said. “We’ll allow him to start skating two months from the date of the procedure, but return to play will be gradual. He’ll probably be on the ice in training camp but he won’t be in contact, collision situations.”
