This video shares the clinical progress of a patient six months following surgery to repair a massive rotator cuff tear.
Key Highlights:
- The Treatment: Due to the severe size of the tear, Dr. Don Buford augmented the standard rotator cuff repair with a BioBrace implant—a biocomposite scaffold designed to reinforce the tendon repair, stimulate new tissue growth, and promote faster healing.
- Range of Motion: At the six-month mark, the patient exhibits excellent functional recovery. He easily demonstrates the ability to lift his arm straight up overhead and reach comfortably behind his back.
- Strength: Dr. Buford tests the patient's arm strength by applying downward pressure while the patient pushes upward, confirming that he has regained solid, functional strength.
- Outcome: Dr. Buford expresses great satisfaction with the overall clinical results and mentions that they are also reviewing the patient's updated ultrasound images to track the structural healing of the tendon.
Questions about this treatment
- Can I get shoulder motion back after a rotator cuff repair?
- Many patients can regain substantial shoulder motion after rotator cuff repair with appropriate healing and rehabilitation. Recovery varies based on the size and severity of the tear, surgical repair, patient factors, and rehabilitation progress.
- What does this patient show six months after rotator cuff repair?
- The video shows a patient six months after repair of a massive rotator cuff tear demonstrating excellent functional shoulder motion, including lifting the arm overhead and reaching behind the back, along with functional strength.
- What is a massive rotator cuff tear?
- A massive rotator cuff tear is a large or complex tear involving the shoulder's rotator cuff tendons. It may cause significant pain, weakness, and loss of shoulder function.
- What is BioBrace used for in rotator cuff repair?
- BioBrace is a biocomposite scaffold that can be used to reinforce selected soft-tissue repairs. In this case, Dr. Don Buford used a BioBrace implant to augment the repair of a massive rotator cuff tear.
- How long does it take to regain shoulder motion after rotator cuff surgery?
- Recovery varies by patient and by the severity of the rotator cuff injury and repair. Shoulder motion is typically restored progressively through a structured rehabilitation program, with activity advancement based on healing and clinical evaluation.
- How is recovery after rotator cuff repair evaluated?
- Recovery may be evaluated using shoulder range of motion, strength testing, symptoms, functional ability, physical examination, and when clinically appropriate, imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.
- Who treats rotator cuff tears at Texas Orthobiologics?
- Rotator cuff tears and related shoulder conditions are evaluated and treated by Don Buford, MD and the Texas Orthobiologics team in Dallas, Texas.
Every patient is different, and a video is not a promise of the same result. If you want to know whether an orthobiologic or surgical option fits your own injury, that starts with an exam and imaging — not a video.
