When you have served in the U.S. Navy, physical toughness and mental grit are second nature. For retired military specialist Mac McDevitt, those qualities helped him endure years of chronic shoulder pain due to severe arthritis. But when the pain became too much to ignore, he knew he needed a surgeon with the same level of precision and discipline he’d come to value during active duty.
That’s exactly what he found in Dr. Brian Vickaryous, an orthopedic surgeon at Greater Orlando Orthopedic Group.
“I was referred to Dr. Vickaryous by someone I golf with. Our military backgrounds are very similar, and we hit it off immediately,” says McDevitt.
Dr. Vickaryous performed two total shoulder replacement surgeries on McDevitt—one on each shoulder, four years apart. Before his first procedure, Mac couldn’t lift his left arm past his neck. Simple tasks like placing items on a shelf became impossible.
By the time his second shoulder needed treatment, it had deteriorated into a bone-on-bone condition with no cartilage left. The pain was constant and debilitating.
Thanks to Dr. Vickaryous’s surgical precision and a carefully tailored recovery plan, both surgeries were a complete success. Mac regained 98–100% shoulder capacity, and 100% range of motion and was able to stop using over-the-counter pain medications.
“I started my physical therapy the same day as surgery—before I even left the hospital,” says McDevitt.
Unlike the standard protocol of doing therapy twice a day, McDevitt committed to rehab every three hours. His dedication—and Dr. Vickaryous’s expert guidance—paid off.
“Dr. Vickaryous typically doesn’t clear patients to golf until 26–28 weeks post-op. I was back on the course in just eight weeks,” says McDevitt.
“Mac’s recovery is a testament to what happens when surgical excellence meets total patient commitment. His military discipline helped him stick to the plan—and then some. That’s why he was back on the golf course in record time,” says Dr. Vickaryous.
McDevitt’s results were so impressive, he began referring fellow golfers and friends to Dr. Vickaryous.
“I’ve recommended at least eight people to him. Nearly all of them are back on the golf course swinging longer, better, and faster.”
McDevitt is back to his active lifestyle—cycling, swimming, golfing, scuba diving, and even doing 15 hours of yard work per week. Both shoulders are back to 100% full strength.
Dr. Vickaryous isn’t just known for his surgical skill—he’s also recognized for his compassionate care and clear communication.
“He has an outstanding bedside manner and breaks down everything in layman’s terms. He listens, explains your options, and recommends what’s best for you,” says McDevitt.
At Greater Orlando Orthopedic Group, Dr. Vickaryous combines cutting-edge orthopedic techniques with a personalized, patient-first approach to help individuals like Mac McDevitt get back to doing what they love—pain-free. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vickaryous call (407) 977-4130.
Learn more about Dr. Vickaryous here: https://greaterorlandoorthopedicgroup.com/doctor-brian-vickaryous/
Learn more about shoulder surgery options: https://greaterorlandoorthopedicgroup.com/shoulders/
