Auston Matthews' doctor offers insight into what's really bothering the Maple Leafs captain
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Auston Matthews' longtime sports chiropractor is offering the clearest look yet at the work behind the Maple Leafs captain's recovery, and it is shining new light on just how much the superstar center has battled physically over the past two seasons.
Dr. Shawn Robek, founder of Fix Medical Group, joined TSN 1050's First Up on Wednesday to discuss his role in Matthews' offseason program.
I'm helping take care of his knee. And so I was part of the team in addressing the soft tissue structures associated with that injury… It's my job to clean up those tissues, make sure the joints are moving well, and teach him some intentional corrective exercise so we can make sure the joints are functioning optimally.
A Team Effort Behind the Comeback
Robek described a coordinated group of specialists working to get Matthews back to full strength.
A number of specialists that are all on the same page and trying to make sure that Austin gives 100% and can perform at his best. And so in working with him and being a part of this team, it's been quite a unique process, and, you know, it's fun seeing Austin come in with energy and a smile and optimism. He's ready to go and he's very energetic, and it's going to be a fun season to watch.
The interview matters because it puts real context around what Matthews has endured.
He suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quadriceps contusion in March after a knee-on-knee hit from Radko Gudas, ending his season early.
That comes on top of lingering questions about a lower back issue that limited him the year before, one the Leafs never officially disclosed.
Why This Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks
Robek noted the back was not this summer's focus, a comment some read as quiet confirmation that back trouble was real.
For a captain expected to anchor Toronto's revamped roster, the layered injury history raises real stakes for how much he can give in 2026-27.
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