This video features a clinical check-in shared by Dr. Don Buford, documenting a patient’s mobility after stabilizing surgery for an unstable left shoulder.
Key Highlights:
- The Surgeries: The patient underwent an arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction combined with a remplissage procedure. A Bankart reconstruction repairs the torn labrum at the front of the shoulder socket, while a remplissage fills in a bone defect on the back of the humeral head (a Hill-Sachs lesion) by securement of the adjacent infraspinatus tendon. Together, these procedures work to prevent recurring shoulder dislocations.
- Mobility Testing: Dr. Buford has the patient demonstrate his range of motion on camera to assess recovery. The patient comfortably displays full, pain-free overhead elevation, abduction (lifting the arm out to the side), and reaching behind his back.
- Symmetry: The patient confirms that the joint feels completely free and loose, showing excellent, symmetrical outward rotation between both arms.
- Next Steps: Dr. Buford notes that they will use an in-office ultrasound machine to visually inspect the healing remplissage site at the back of the shoulder.
Questions about this treatment
- What are the results of shoulder dislocation or instability surgery?
- Results vary by patient, but successful shoulder stabilization surgery can restore shoulder stability, range of motion, and function. In this clinical check-in, the patient demonstrated full, pain-free overhead elevation, abduction, reaching behind the back, and symmetrical outward rotation.
- What surgery was performed for this unstable shoulder?
- The patient underwent arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction combined with a remplissage procedure to stabilize the unstable left shoulder.
- What is a Bankart reconstruction?
- A Bankart reconstruction repairs the torn labrum at the front of the shoulder socket. It is commonly performed to help restore stability after shoulder dislocation or recurrent instability.
- What is a remplissage procedure?
- A remplissage procedure is an arthroscopic technique used to address a Hill-Sachs lesion by securing the adjacent infraspinatus tendon and posterior capsule into the defect, helping stabilize the shoulder.
- Can you regain shoulder motion after instability surgery?
- Many patients can regain substantial shoulder motion after stabilization surgery with appropriate healing and rehabilitation. Recovery varies depending on the injury, surgical procedure, patient factors, and rehabilitation.
- How is shoulder stability surgery recovery evaluated?
- Recovery can be assessed through shoulder range of motion, pain, strength, functional activities, physical examination, and when clinically appropriate, imaging such as ultrasound.
- Who treats shoulder instability in Dallas?
- Shoulder instability and related orthopedic 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.
