Orthopedic surgery at St. Luke’s Miners Campus timed so Schuylkill high school athlete could be a ‘kid’ and play again

Come January Thomas Zepnikowski of Valley View expects to be able to resume weightlifting in preparation for his high school football season as a junior. Thomas, 15, has been sidelined since he injured his shoulder as a freshman playing football for Tri-Valley Junior/Senior High School in Schuylkill County.

Thomas underwent surgery in August to repair what turned out to be a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Thomas and his mother, Shannon, couldn’t be more grateful for St. Luke’s University Health Network’s orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Michael G. Doran, MD, who timed the surgery so that Thomas could enjoy his summer but still be ready for football as a junior.

“Thomas is a young, active, and athletic individual who unfortunately sustained an injury while playing football,” Dr. Doran said. “He put in hard work to try to avoid surgery. Unfortunately, the severity of his injury did not allow him to progress back to the activities that he enjoys participating in. The goal of having his labrum repaired is to improve his pain and function and allow him to get back to the sports that he enjoys playing without pain or limitation.”

Thomas recalls injuring his shoulder in October 2024 when he went in for a tackle and “heard a loud pop.” The pain, he says, “was immense.”

Initially, doctors at St. Luke’s suggested ice and rest followed by physical therapy to see if it would make his shoulder pain bearable. While the pain eased, it didn’t go away. When it became more intense again, he had an MRI which revealed the torn labrum.

Thomas was referred to Dr. Doran at St. Luke’s Orthopedic Care.

Dr. Doran offered Thomas choices: Continue with conservative treatments or have surgery to repair it. If he opted for surgery, he could have it right away and miss his summer activities, or wait until August and still be ready to suit up come fall of his junior year.

Thomas opted for August surgery, which he had at St. Luke’s Miners Campus in Coaldale. It went well. Thanks to the surgery and follow-up physical therapy, “I have regained full range of motion,” he says happily. The recovery normally takes 6 to 9 months and his has.

Versatile ‘big guy’

Thomas is a big guy, his mom says. “He’s 6’ 2” and very versatile.” He is a rugged lineman for the Bulldogs football team. His teammates are really looking forward to having him back, Shannon says.

Thomas is also happy that he was able to manage his pain and be a kid all summer while waiting for the surgery. He was able to spend much of his summer working at Hawk Mountain, a job he loves.

Thomas has many other interests including archery, hunting, and Scouting. Although football is his passion, Thomas says he’s anxious to soon get back to his other activities as well.

Thomas isn’t worried about getting back on the gridiron and opening himself up to possibly more injuries. “If I play right, I shouldn’t get inured again,” he says with a smile. Plus, he and his mom know he has great people looking out for him.