This video covers a five-month post-operative follow-up with Dr. Don Buford and Kevin, a 15-year-old patient who underwent a unique combined procedure for multiple knee injuries sustained at age 14. To treat Kevin's ACL tear and a stable medial meniscus tear, Dr. Buford opted out of traditional grafts or implants, instead directly injecting the patient's own bone marrow-derived stem cells. However, because Kevin also suffered a widely displaced grade 3 MCL disruption, that specific ligament required a traditional open surgical reconstruction rather than stem cell therapy alone.
During the evaluation, Kevin reports that he is completely brace-free and has successfully returned to playing casual soccer and basketball with friends. He emphasizes that he experiences zero pain, buckling, or instability, and feels entirely unlimited in his activities. A physical examination confirms that Kevin has regained equal flexion in both knees, exhibits excellent leg strength with no concerning muscle atrophy, and demonstrates a solid, stable joint endpoint typical of a healthy recovery.
Questions about this treatment
- What injury is featured in this patient success story?
- The patient story focuses primarily on an ACL tear along with a stable medial meniscus tear and a grade 3 MCL disruption.
- What treatment was used for the ACL tear?
- For the ACL tear and stable medial meniscus tear, Dr. Don Buford used the patient's own bone marrow-derived stem cells rather than a traditional ACL graft or implant.
- Did the patient require surgery for the MCL injury?
- Yes. Because the patient had a widely displaced grade 3 MCL disruption, that specific ligament required traditional open surgical reconstruction.
- How was the patient doing at the follow-up?
- At the follow-up, the patient was brace-free, had returned to casual soccer and basketball, and reported no pain, buckling, or instability. Examination showed equal knee flexion, good leg strength, and a stable knee endpoint.
- Who provided the orthopedic regenerative treatment?
- The treatment and follow-up were provided by Don Buford, MD 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.
