Brek Shea Undergoes Successful Sports Hernia Surgery

Orlando City announced today that midfielder/ left back Brek Shea has undergone successful surgery for a sports hernia and is expected to return to the lineup later this season. Shea first showed signs of the injury while on international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team on a recent trip to the Netherlands and Germany.

Despite existing misgivings about his health, Shea started three matches after returning from international duty, playing against D.C. United, Montreal Impact and the Colorado Rapids. During the latter of those three matches, a midweek game on June 24, Shea began limping badly against the Rapids, couldn’t continue, and was replaced by Carlos Rivas in the 40^th minute.

It's good news that the problem was diagnosed and corrected. Daryl Osbahr, MD, Chief of sports Medicine for Orlando Health and the Lions' team physician said in a club release that all went well with the surgery.

"As the official medical provider for Orlando City SC, we're very pleased to confirm Brek's surgery was a success," Osbahr said. "We look forward to helping Brek rehabilitate, and like all Orlando City fans, see him return to the pitch at full strength and in full health soon."

While we don't know the timetable for Shea's return,the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center website indicates that athletes who undergo this type of injury can often return to light training and jogging in about three weeks and more strenuous activity at about six weeks.

Shea has appeared in 14 games this season (all starts) for the Lions, playing 1,163 minutes. He has yet to open his Orlando City account, but he has one assist and 11 shots. He opened the season as the club’s starting left back and played well there through the first third of the season, but was moved up to the midfield to strengthen City’s attack when Kevin Molino was lost for the year with a torn ACL.