European champions La Rochelle will be without loosehead prop Thierry Paiva for the next three to four months, coach Ronan O'Gara said on Thursday.
The 27-year-old underwent surgery on Wednesday on the shoulder he dislocated after just 10 minutes of the 7-3 Champions Cup win over Ulster last weekend.
"It's time to leave him alone for a bit," said O'Gara.
"It's a difficult time for him, he has a bit of work to do. This injury must be an opportunity for him to come back even stronger."
With Reda Wardi named in Fabien Galthie's extended France squad for the Six Nations, La Rochelle may find themselves short of props and in need of a medical joker.
O'Gara's side, who have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, travel to Northampton on Saturday for the fourth round of group stage matches.