The person in this video is a patient of Texas Orthobiologics and has signed a media release permitting us to publish this account. No payment, discount, free or reduced-cost treatment, or other benefit was given in exchange for it. Individual results vary, and one patient’s experience is not a prediction of anyone else’s.
This video features a follow-up appointment shared by Dr. Don Buford, focusing on the recovery of a baseball athlete after shoulder surgery.
Key Highlights:
- The Injury & Treatment: The patient, a competitive baseball player, suffered a type 2 SLAP lesion (a tear of the labrum where the bicep tendon attaches to the top of the shoulder socket). Given his age and athletic demands, Dr. Buford opted to surgically repair the tear.
- Current Progress: At roughly six to seven months post-surgery, the athlete reports that his shoulder strength is returning nicely and his mobility feels solid.
- Mobility Check: He demonstrates an excellent range of motion on camera, showing full overhead reach, outward rotation, and the ability to comfortably reach all the way up behind his back.
- Throwing Program: The patient has progressed to throwing at a distance of 60 feet, completing sets of 75 throws. Notably, he isn't just doing soft toss—he is successfully throwing hard line drives.
- Timeline: Dr. Buford notes that they are right on track to have him fully ready to return to competitive play by January.
Questions about this treatment
- What is a Type 2 SLAP lesion?
- A Type 2 SLAP lesion is a tear or detachment involving the superior portion of the shoulder labrum and its attachment to the biceps tendon.
- Does surgery work for a Type 2 SLAP lesion?
- Surgery can provide good results for appropriately selected patients with persistent pain or dysfunction from a Type 2 SLAP lesion. The specific surgical approach depends on the patient's individual condition.
- What type of surgery can be used for a SLAP lesion?
- Depending on the patient's age, symptoms, activity level, and associated injuries, surgical treatment may include arthroscopic SLAP repair or another appropriate procedure involving the labrum or biceps tendon.
- What are common symptoms of a Type 2 SLAP lesion?
- Common symptoms can include shoulder pain, clicking or catching, weakness, pain with overhead activities, and reduced shoulder function.
- Can a SLAP lesion be treated without surgery?
- Some patients may improve with non-surgical treatment such as activity modification, physical therapy, and other conservative options. Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist or when the injury requires surgical stabilization.
- Who treats Type 2 SLAP lesions at Texas Orthobiologics?
- Shoulder conditions including Type 2 SLAP lesions 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.
