Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Shoulder and Knee

A good physician is more than a technician. I look at the patient as a person—not just the injury or disease. Orthopaedic surgery gives me the opportunity to have an immediate impact on someone’s quality of life. Patients have become more educated and active. They are less willing to settle for a bad knee or shoulder if it has the potential to alter their lifestyle.

With over 17 years of experience focused on sports medicine, arthroscopy and reconstructive procedures of the shoulder and knee, Dr. Brandon works with a wide patient demographic. “I interact with kids, young adults and older folks. There is tremendous satisfaction in seeing someone with an arthritic knee eventually leave my care pain-free. At the same time I may see an injured athlete whose mindset is not simply eliminating their pain, but getting back on the field and performing at a higher level. I can identify with the distress and drive in both situations. ” Having been a patient himself, Dr. Brandon understands the effects a medical condition can have on patients and their families. Diagnosis and treatment are only part of the equation. “Superior care depends upon good communication. Most patients are anxious to learn how they might help themselves get better. Surgery is not a magic bullet. We can do the best surgery in the world, but the outcome will be compromised if the patient doesn’t actively participate in their recovery.” Dr. Brandon stresses surgery is not always the answer. In fact, the majority of the conditions he sees are healed or improved with exercise, medication and proper levels of activity.

Looking back on almost two decades, Dr. Brandon has been at the forefront of some of the most revolutionary orthopaedic techniques. He was one of the first surgeons to perform arthroscopic reconstruction of torn knee ligaments, minimally invasive knee replacements and arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears and shoulder dislocations. He was also the first surgeon on the eastern shore to offer the new reverse total shoulder replacement procedure that works for patients without a functioning rotator cuff.

In addition to refined surgical techniques and the contribution of technology, sub specialization has also had a profound impact on Orthopaedics. According to Dr. Brandon, the specialty is changing so rapidly, it is impossible to stay abreast on the forefront of the whole body.

“One thing people don’t understand about Orthopaedics is the extent to which the diversity and complexity of the conditions we treat require areas of specialization. It’s impossible to do everything well. Better outcomes and fewer complications are often a function of the degree to which a surgeon has specialized.”

“With continued advances in less invasive surgery, the explosion in biotechnology for transplants, and exciting developments in biogenetic engineering to stimulate healing and even prevent arthritis---this specialty will touch almost all of us sometime in our lives. I’m thrilled to be part of it.”