This video highlights an impressive long-term post-operative follow-up shared by Dr. Don Buford, checking in with a military veteran eight years after a shoulder repair.
Key Highlights:
- The Condition & Surgery: Eight years prior, the patient underwent surgery to address chronic biceps tendinopathy that had failed to improve with conservative, non-surgical treatments. Dr. Buford performed a subpectoral biceps tenodesis through a small incision in the armpit area.
- Recovery & Durability: Following the initial healing and rehabilitation phase, the patient regained 100% of his range of motion and had zero complications.
- Return to Duty: The surgery was so successful that he was cleared to return to active duty in the military, completely handling all heavy gear and physical demands. He even completed another deployment tour from 2019 to 2020.
- Eight Years Later: At this long-term checkpoint, the patient notes that his shoulder still functions flawlessly. In fact, he mentions that both of his shoulders feel so good and symmetrical that he sometimes struggles to remember which side was actually operated on (Dr. Buford confirms it was the left shoulder).
Questions about this treatment
- What surgery is featured in this patient testimonial?
- The testimonial features an eight-year postoperative follow-up after subpectoral biceps tenodesis and shoulder repair performed for chronic biceps tendinopathy.
- Why was a subpectoral biceps tenodesis performed?
- The patient had chronic biceps tendinopathy that had not improved with conservative, non-surgical treatment. A subpectoral biceps tenodesis was performed to address the affected biceps tendon.
- What is a subpectoral biceps tenodesis?
- Subpectoral biceps tenodesis is a surgical technique in which the affected long head of the biceps tendon is secured lower on the upper arm through an incision near the armpit area.
- How was the patient's shoulder functioning eight years after surgery?
- At the eight-year follow-up, the patient reported that the shoulder continued to function very well. The page reports that he regained 100% of his range of motion and experienced no complications.
- Did the patient return to military duty after shoulder surgery?
- Yes. The patient was cleared to return to active military duty and was able to handle heavy gear and physical demands. The testimonial also notes that he completed another deployment tour from 2019 to 2020.
- Can shoulder function remain good years after biceps tenodesis?
- Long-term outcomes vary between patients. This testimonial describes one patient's experience eight years after surgery, with sustained shoulder function and range of motion.
- Who performed the biceps tenodesis and shoulder surgery?
- The surgery was performed by Don Buford, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Texas Orthobiologics 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.
