Hernando County Residents Now Have Access to Advanced Shoulder Care Locally

Florida Springs Surgery Center became the first freestanding outpatient surgery facility in the world to offer Mako® robotic-arm assisted shoulder arthroplasty, beginning April 1, and the surgeon leading that milestone is already a familiar name to Hernando County patients. Dr. Dragomir Mijic is a fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow orthopaedic surgeon with advanced training in shoulder and elbow replacement and arthroscopic surgery, treating all types of orthopaedic injuries with a special emphasis on shoulder and elbow disorders including arthritis, rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, sports-related injuries, and fractures. For residents who have long managed chronic shoulder pain, this combination of world-first technology and a locally based specialist represents a meaningful shift in what care is available without leaving the county.

When the shoulder becomes the problem

Most people don't think much about their shoulders until one stops working the way it should. When pain, stiffness, or weakness begin to interfere with sleep, daily tasks, or the activities you enjoy, it can be both frustrating and limiting. Orthopedic specialists typically look for a cluster of warning signs before recommending escalating treatment: chronic pain that doesn't resolve with rest, significant loss of motion, and weakness that undermines ordinary tasks like reaching overhead or lifting everyday objects.

The clinical path usually begins conservatively. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid or other injections remain appropriate first-line options for many shoulder conditions, and Dr. Mijic's patient-centered approach emphasizes that non-surgical treatment is still the right course for a large portion of patients. The decision to pursue surgery follows only after conservative measures have been exhausted or when the degree of joint damage makes non-operative management unlikely to provide lasting relief.

Who is a candidate for shoulder replacement

For patients with advanced arthritis, severe rotator cuff damage, and limited shoulder function, shoulder replacement surgery often becomes the most effective path back to comfort and function. Two primary surgical options exist depending on the nature and extent of the damage. A total shoulder replacement works well when the rotator cuff is intact but the joint surface is severely worn. A reverse shoulder replacement, where the ball and socket components are switched in position, is the preferred choice when the rotator cuff is significantly torn or non-functional, allowing the deltoid muscle to compensate and drive movement.

Candidacy also depends on a patient's overall health profile. Comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or bone quality issues factor into surgical planning and perioperative risk assessment. Advances in implant design and improvements in anesthesia and postoperative protocols have expanded the pool of patients who can safely benefit from shoulder replacement, including older patients who might previously have been considered poor surgical candidates.

The Mako robotic system: what it means for patients

The introduction of the Mako® robotic-arm assisted platform at Florida Springs Surgery Center elevates the precision available during shoulder arthroplasty. Robotic-arm assistance allows the surgeon to work within a pre-planned three-dimensional model of each patient's unique anatomy, improving implant positioning and reducing variability. The result is a procedure tailored specifically to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

This advancement represents more than just new technology; it marks a significant step forward in bringing highly advanced orthopedic care directly to Hernando County and the surrounding region. Performing these procedures at an outpatient surgery center rather than a hospital also means shorter facility stays and a more streamlined recovery experience for appropriate patients. Patients across Hernando, Citrus, and Pasco counties now have access to a capability that, until now, existed only in large hospital systems, often requiring travel to metropolitan centers.

Dr. Mijic's experience and local standing

The surgeon behind this milestone brings exceptional volume and specialization to Hernando County. As a fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeon with nearly a decade of independent practice, Dr. Mijic's career is focused on treating complex shoulder conditions and providing patients with cutting-edge solutions. He performs close to 200 shoulder replacements each year, placing him among the highest-volume shoulder surgeons nationally.

Dr. Mijic has been actively involved in advancing the field of orthopedic surgery through orthopedic research and education, having authored multiple orthopedic textbook chapters and journal articles and presented research at several national meetings. That academic engagement, combined with high surgical volume, means local patients are being treated by a physician operating at the frontier of his specialty, not just practicing it. The Hernando Sun's readers have voted Dr. Mijic the best orthopedic surgeon in Hernando County, a recognition that reflects both his clinical results and his reputation within the community he serves. He sees patients at the Center for Bone and Joint, with offices in both Brooksville and Hudson.

What recovery looks like

The goals of shoulder replacement surgery are straightforward: meaningful pain relief and the restoration of functional range of motion. Rehabilitation following surgery is a structured process that begins quickly, often within days of the procedure, with gentle range-of-motion exercises advancing to strengthening work over subsequent weeks. The full recovery arc for shoulder replacement typically spans several months, with most patients experiencing the greatest functional gains in the first three to six months postoperatively.

Having local physical therapy providers who are already familiar with post-surgical shoulder protocols is one of the underappreciated advantages of receiving care close to home. Continuity between the surgical team and the rehabilitation team shortens the feedback loop and allows adjustments to the recovery plan without the delays introduced by distance.

Taking the next step

Persistent shoulder pain that disrupts sleep, limits work, or prevents activities that once came easily is a signal worth acting on sooner rather than later. Early evaluation by an orthopedic specialist can distinguish conditions that will respond to conservative care from those that will progress without intervention, and that distinction matters for long-term joint health. "My goal is to always provide compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered care of the highest quality. This begins with carefully listening to my patients," Dr. Mijic has said, a philosophy that extends from the initial consultation through surgical planning and into postoperative recovery.

With Mako robotic-arm technology now operating at Florida Springs Surgery Center and one of the country's highest-volume shoulder specialists based right here in Hernando County, residents living with advanced shoulder disease have more reason than ever to seek a local evaluation rather than endure pain or travel elsewhere to find answers.