A Nebraska orthopedic surgeon has agreed to a 6-month suspension of his medical license after he planned to operate while under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The suspension is retroactive to Nov. 26, 2014, the day Scott Strasburger, MD arrived impaired at the Lincoln Surgical Hospital and refused to take a drug test. A facility representative could not be reached for comment.

According to the department of health, Dr. Strasburger must prove he successfully completed a chemical dependency treatment program and complied with recommended aftercare treatment, including relapse counseling and attendance at support group meetings, before his license is reinstated.

This isn't the first time Dr. Strasburger has struggled with substance abuse. In October 2013, according to the health department, administrators at Nebraska Orthopedic and Sports Medicine in Lincoln requested that he take a drug test, which revealed the presence of a controlled substance. Dr. Strasburger completed 1 month of residential addiction treatment for healthcare professionals and submitted to 1 year of professional aftercare, health department records show.

But on July 8, 2014, notes the health department, Dr. Strasburger failed another drug test conducted at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. His surgeries and clinic appointments were cancelled, and he resigned from the facility's medical staff.

Dr. Strasburger played defensive end for the University of Nebraska's football team from 1981 to 1984 and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 10th round of the 1985 NFL draft. The Cornhusker website lists him as the team's physician. A university spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

In February 2014, he opened the Strasburger Orthopaedics center in Lincoln. A call to the clinic seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Daniel Cook