Berkshire Orthopedics LLC
A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC
Dr. Soffer participated in the Shoulder Replacement meeting last week in NYC. He discussed the improving results of current replacements, the use of computer analytics to assist us in performing surgery, and new advances in shoulder replacements.
Characterized by inflammation in the tendons linking the elbow and forearm muscles, elbow tendonitis may develop due to repetitive use/overuse of the forearm muscles. The resulting symptoms may include pain, stiffness and tenderness in the affected elbow. Often, discomfort is particularly bothersome in the morning, at night or when performing motions like grasping something or rotating the wrist. Upon recognizing these symptoms, one may wonder: How long does it take elbow tendonitis to heal?
The rate and success of rehabilitation will largely depend on individual factors, including the extent of the condition and the steps a patient takes to address it. Let’s discuss strategies to promote quick and total healing of elbow tendonitis.
For the most optimal outcome, it’s advisable to see an orthopedic expert as soon as possible if you’re experiencing symptoms of elbow tendonitis. The best doctor for elbow pain is an orthopedic surgeon, as this professional has extensive, specialized knowledge of orthopedic issues and the ability to perform the full range of elbow treatments.
Dr. Stephen Soffer is a trusted provider of orthopedic care for patients of all ages in the Reading, PA area. Seeing him for evaluation and treatment at the first sign of elbow tendonitis symptoms is wise to accelerate healing and prevent the condition from worsening. Failure to seek prompt and professional treatment increases your risk of elbow tendonitis becoming prolonged, more extensive or more complex to treat.
First-line treatments which may be prescribed for elbow tendonitis include:
Because patients often have success with these treatments, surgery is rarely necessary for elbow tendonitis. However, surgical intervention may be recommended if significant improvement is not seen after several months of conservative treatment.
As a practiced orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Soffer is qualified to perform both arthroscopic (minimally invasive) and open elbow surgery when needed. As a testament to his knowledge and experience, he coauthored the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the U.S. alongside Dr. James Andrews.
Hopefully this overview has helped you understand why the answer to “how long does it take elbow tendonitis to heal?” varies based on how the patient proceeds after noticing symptoms. For professional and compassionate assistance with resolving your elbow issue as quickly as possible, schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer by calling our office at 610-375-4949.
Providing cushion to the shoulder and helping to maintain fluid movement in the joint, the labrum is an important piece of supportive cartilage. Thus, damage to the labrum can result in reduced shoulder stability/functionality. Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior injury, or SLAP injury, involves both the front and back parts of the labrum. It is one of the most common labrum issues. Let’s review some possible indicators that you may have sustained a SLAP tear.
There are numerous potential causes of a SLAP tear, ranging from overuse to acute injury to aging-related wear and tear. Engaging in activities that require repetitive overhead motion – such as baseball, weight lifting or swimming – is often linked to SLAP injury. This shoulder problem can also result from a fall or a car accident, or develop as the labrum weakens later in life.
Regardless of the cause, SLAP tear symptoms might include:
To help relieve these symptoms and promote healing of the labrum, an orthopedic expert may suggest resting the shoulder, taking medication to reduce pain & swelling and/or performing physical therapy exercises.
If conservative, nonsurgical treatment methods fail to solve the issue, arthroscopic labral repair – a minimally invasive procedure in which torn tissues are reattached – may be the next step in treatment. When considering this procedure, it’s important to be under the care of an experienced orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Stephen Soffer, who can properly diagnose your condition and provide whatever level of treatment is needed to help you make a full recovery.
Trusted by patients throughout Berks County and the surrounding area, Dr. Soffer excels in performing minimally invasive labrum tear surgery, as well as in evaluating and advising patients on nonsurgical options. He has undertaken extensive orthopedic training, including a sports medicine fellowship with renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. For attentive, individualized orthopedic care, call our office at 610-375-4949 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.
A common knee injury among both athletic and less active individuals, meniscus tears can cause discomfort, knee instability, stiffness, swelling and a popping/catching sensation. Experiencing any of the above may lead a patient to wonder about the meniscus tear diagnosis process, the meniscus tear recovery timetable and what type/level of treatment may be needed to resolve their symptoms. Ultimately, the answers will depend on the individual case; but, there are some general things you can expect when recovering from a meniscus injury. Let’s go into more detail.
If you have knee pain and other possible meniscus tear symptoms that aren’t going away with rest, it’s important to see an orthopedic expert as soon as possible. Getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for your knee condition will prevent it from getting worse and becoming harder to treat, whether it’s a meniscus tear or something else.
If your orthopedic physician determines that you have sustained a meniscus tear, you may ask if it can heal on its own or whether surgery may be required.
Your personal meniscus tear recovery timetable and treatment plan will be based upon the severity of your injury and other factors like your age and activity level. Here are a few things to know:
Taking into account your individual situation, an orthopedic professional can give you a more precise idea of what to expect in terms of your recovery time and post-procedure restrictions you may have if you opt to have meniscus surgery.
If you’re eager to understand the cause of your knee pain and find an effective, individualized solution, Dr. Stephen Soffer is here to help. To offer his world-class orthopedic services to patients in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Soffer draws on the latest, most advanced technologies and his extensive experience. His training included a sports medicine fellowship with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, helping Dr. Soffer to become a top orthopedic surgeon himself.
To learn more about operative and nonoperative knee treatments offered by Dr. Soffer and schedule an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949.
The shoulder is a complex ball-and-socket joint made up of bones, tendons, muscles and ligaments. If any of the structures in the shoulder are damaged, it can lead to discomfort and decreased functionality. For baseball players in particular, overuse or injury can result in shoulder pain when throwing baseball. If you experience this, then these tips from leading Reading, PA area orthopedic expert Dr. Stephen Soffer may be of value to you.
To understand why shoulder abnormalities can cause shoulder pain when throwing baseball, it’s helpful to learn more about what happens in the joint during a throwing motion. All of the following are involved:
In order to throw successfully and comfortably, all of these interconnected shoulder structures must function in harmony. If issues arise with one of them – for instance, if the labrum is injured and the joint loses stability – then throwing is likely to become painful and difficult. Reduced strength, pain extending down the arm or pain at night may also be signs of a shoulder problem.
So, how do you know what is causing your shoulder troubles? Visiting an orthopedic surgeon for an examination (and possibly imaging like an MRI) is the most effective way to pinpoint where the issue is stemming from so you can get the proper treatment to resolve it.
Whether you’re a young athlete, a weekend warrior or an active senior, orthopedic issues shouldn’t hold you back from doing the activities you love. Skillful diagnosis and treatment from Dr. Soffer can help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
For decades, Dr. Soffer has been working with patients of all ages, providing world-class, individualized orthopedic care through both operative and nonoperative treatments. As part of his training, Dr. Soffer completed a sports medicine fellowship with esteemed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. To learn more about Dr. Soffer’s credentials and schedule an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949.
Resulting from repetitive gripping and/or overuse of the elbow joint, tennis elbow can affect more than just tennis players. The pain and tenderness caused by this condition may be isolated to the elbow, or it may extend to the wrist and other parts of the arm. From patient to patient, symptom severity and tennis elbow healing time can vary. Let’s explore factors which might impact one’s recovery timeline from this condition and strategies to speed up the healing process.
For more mild cases of tennis elbow, conservative treatment may help to resolve symptoms within days or weeks. Treatments you may try to start out include:
If these first-line treatments do not provide full relief, you may discuss steroid injections or tennis elbow surgery with an experienced orthopedic surgeon. For those in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer is a trusted provider of both nonsurgical and surgical treatment for tennis elbow.
If considering operative treatment, it’s important to know what to expect in terms of tennis elbow healing time following surgery. In our past blog post, you can find a detailed overview of what rehabilitation from this procedure generally entails – information which will help you decide if it’s right for you.
If you’re experiencing elbow pain that isn’t improving with rest, it may be time to make an appointment with leading orthopedic specialist Dr. Soffer. Among his achievements, Dr. Soffer coauthored the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the US with Dr. James Andrews. He has vast knowledge and experience in the treatment of elbow issues of all sorts, and he is dedicated to helping patients find the best solution for their unique situation. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.
