Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

Dr. Soffer

Knee Arthroscopy for Torn Meniscus: Recovery Time and More

by Leave a Comment

meniscus arthroscopy recovery

In the knee joint, a torn meniscus can cause decreased range of motion, pain in the middle or on the side and a feeling of instability, popping or locking. If experiencing these symptoms, you might naturally wonder whether surgical meniscus repair is necessary in your case and, if so, what you can anticipate in terms of knee arthroscopy for torn meniscus. 

Knee Arthroscopy: Recovery Time and More

To successfully heal a damaged meniscus, the best course of treatment will depend heavily upon the specifics of the injury, including its severity, location and size. Meniscus injuries can manifest in numerous forms:

  • Acute (also known as traumatic) tears, which happen when the meniscus is twisted or hyperflexed during athletics or basic daily activities like walking
  • Degenerative tears, which stem from progressive wear and tear over many years

To arrive at the best treatment pathway, an orthopedic specialist like Dr. Stephen Soffer will consider the nature of your injury, your set of symptoms and any coinciding factors, such as the simultaneous occurrence of an ACL tear. 

  • If your knee pain is interfering with your ability to walk or go about your daily routine, or if it is located on the inner edge of the meniscus where blood does not reach, Dr. Soffer might suggest arthroscopic surgery. 
  • Pursuing surgery to get rid of damaged tissue may also be an appropriate option for athletes aiming to return to sports as soon as possible. 

While each patient’s recovery journey will be unique, most are able to resume their normal lifestyle within six weeks to three months. Patients can expect to begin physical therapy to regain range of motion immediately following surgery and to use crutches from anywhere between one day (for partial meniscectomy) to four weeks (for meniscal repair, which is more uncommon). 

Assuming the knee has been successfully restrengthened, returning to work and physical activity is typically possible in about 4-6 weeks, with approval from the orthopedic surgeon.

Create Your Personalized Knee Care Plan 

As a seasoned Berks County orthopedic surgeon trained under Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer has a proven track record of bringing about positive outcomes for many patients through arthroscopic repair. To discuss your knee injury treatment options, call our office at 610-375-4949 to get scheduled with Dr. Soffer. We look forward to hearing from you!

Top-Rated Specialist for Tennis Elbow: Dr. Soffer

by Leave a Comment

specialist for tennis elbow

Not just limited to tennis players, tennis elbow is a painful condition which can impact people of many different ages and lifestyles. Straining or overuse of the elbow can happen while playing sports, performing your occupation or even doing chores around the house. If your elbow is bothering you and has not improved with rest, then it may be time to visit a local specialist for tennis elbow like Dr. Stephen Soffer.

Top-Rated Specialist for Tennis Elbow: Dr. Soffer

If you are eager to achieve lasting relief from elbow discomfort, a critical first step is visiting a knowledgeable orthopedic professional to receive a pinpointed diagnosis. Leveraging advanced diagnostic technologies at his office in Wyomissing, PA, Dr. Soffer skilfully evaluates elbow issues of all sorts, including tennis elbow. 

Based on his careful assessment of your elbow symptoms and factors such as your age and typical activities, he will put together an individualized treatment plan. Depending on the severity and other specifics of your elbow injury or condition, he may suggest first-line care strategies such as:

  • Taking time off from activities that irritate your elbow
  • Following a regimen of physical therapy exercises
  • Managing discomfort by taking medication as directed 

If elbow pain, swelling, stiffness or dysfunction persists after trying these conservative therapies, Dr. Soffer may recommend considering surgical repair of your elbow. 

As a practiced orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Soffer co-wrote the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the U.S. To speed healing speed, minimize scarring and promote optimized patient outcomes, he prioritizes the use of this minimally invasive surgical method whenever possible. Dr. Soffer also performs open surgery as needed.

Schedule a Meeting with Dr. Soffer

If you are ready to resolve your elbow symptoms with a trained specialist for tennis elbow, look no further than Dr. Soffer. As a trusted choice for elbow surgery and other advanced orthopedic treatments near Reading, PA, Dr. Soffer is dedicated to helping patients of all ages get back to a pain-free lifestyle as quickly as possible. 

To get started with a consultation, call our office at 610-375-4949!

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn MCL or ACL?

by Leave a Comment

What are the symptoms of a torn MCL or ACL

Affecting everyone from children to professional athletes to on-the-go seniors, ACL and MCL tears can cause extreme knee pain and instability. In turn, individuals suffering from these injuries often find it difficult or impossible to bear weight and walk normally, signaling a clear need for prompt and professional treatment. Read on for more information on two common FAQs: What are the symptoms of a torn MCL or ACL, and how are these conditions addressed?

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn MCL or ACL?

In the course of playing sports such as football, soccer and basketball, ACL and MCL injuries frequently happen independently, and sometimes in combination with each other. Injuries to either ligament will typically result in the following:

  • Inflammation
  • Swelling
  • Severe pain
  • Loss of knee functionality 
  • Bruising around the knee 

One way to differentiate ACL and MCL tears is that with ACL tears, a popping sound/feeling typically occurs at the time of the injury, whereas this recognizable symptom does not usually accompany an MCL tear. However, it is impossible to know for sure the type and extent of the knee injury you have sustained without seeing an expert for diagnosis. 

Depending on the variety, grade (severity level) and other details of your unique injury, the best course of treatment will vary. Commonly prescribed modalities for ACL & MCL tears and sprains include taking time off from activities, wearing a knee brace, performing physical therapy exercises and possibly reconstruction surgery.

Find the Right Treatment for Your Knee Injury 

If you are curious to know what are the symptoms of a torn MCL or ACL, it may be time to visit an expert such as Dr. Stephen Soffer. As an orthopedic surgeon fellowship-trained by Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer offers the latest diagnostic technologies and treatments at his office in Reading, PA. He is proud to be a leader in arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive solution that offers excellent results for many patients facing knee injuries.

For compassionate and swift knee care you can count on, call Dr. Soffer’s office at 610-375-4949.

Find the Best Elbow Orthopedic Surgeon

by Leave a Comment

best elbow orthopedic surgeon

Located at the intersection of the upper arm and forearm bones, the elbow is made up of several important joints that help to enable arm movement and rotation. In turn, wear and tear or injury to the elbow can greatly impact elbow mobility and function. If you are struggling with an elbow issue, you may seek out the best elbow orthopedic surgeon to diagnose and help you overcome it.

Best Elbow Orthopedic Surgeon

In the Reading, PA area, Berkshire Orthopedics has a long-running reputation for providing world-class elbow care of both operative and nonoperative varieties. Generally speaking, initial care suggestions for an elbow problem will include conservative treatments such as:

  • Icing and resting the affected elbow as much as possible
  • Taking pain-reducing medications as prescribed
  • Performing physical therapy exercises as directed

While these therapies can be effective in addressing the pain, swelling and limited range of motion associated with many elbow conditions and injuries, they may not be a cure-all in every case. Some patients may still have symptoms after trying first-line methods, prompting them to explore elbow surgery options such as:

  • Elbow arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that can allow an orthopedic expert to pinpoint the origins of elbow symptoms, address cartilage damage, remove bone spurs in early-stage elbow arthritis and more.
  • Elbow replacement (aka arthroplasty), which may be recommended in the case of advanced elbow arthritis or a severe fracture.
  • Elbow fracture repair, which may be used to realign bones following an elbow fracture.

Naturally, the best-suited modality for an elbow issue will depend on an individual’s unique situation, which is why it’s important to see a qualified professional for precise diagnosis and personalized treatment. Having trained and coauthored a textbook on elbow arthroscopy alongside Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer is a leader in advanced elbow care.

Connect with Berkshire Orthopedics, LLC

Whether your elbow discomfort is the result of a fracture, damaged cartilage or a condition such as tennis elbow, Berkshire Orthopedics has the right resources and expertise to accurately evaluate and effectively resolve it. To schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with this best elbow orthopedic surgeon, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Treating a Frozen Shoulder: An Orthopedic Surgeon Explains

by Leave a Comment

treating a frozen shoulder

Often nicknamed “frozen shoulder” for the disabling impact it can have on the joint, adhesive capsulitis is a shoulder condition linked to aging and injuries or surgeries that cause the shoulder to be immobilized for a significant period of time. While it may resolve on its own within a few years’ time, individuals facing this condition may understandably not want to wait this long. Especially if symptoms are debilitating, patients will benefit from exploring ways of treating a frozen shoulder with an orthopedic specialist.

Treating a Frozen Shoulder: An Orthopedic Surgeon Explains

As is standard practice across orthopedic conditions, nonsurgical treatment will generally be recommended first for a frozen shoulder. Conservative options which may help to restore range of motion while reducing discomfort and stiffness in the affected shoulder include:

  • Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Physical therapy exercises

Typically, treating a frozen shoulder is easier earlier on, before symptoms advance and become more complex to address. If first-line therapies do not provide full relief — or if symptoms are particularly severe — surgical treatment may be suggested. 

Dr. Stephen Soffer is a top-rated orthopedic surgeon with expertise in performing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. This minimally invasive procedure offers an effective method to loosen the joint and get rid of scar tissue which can contribute to worsening frozen shoulder, with the surgeon utilizing a tiny scope and instruments inserted through a small incision.

Learn More About Frozen Shoulder Treatments

If you are struggling with shoulder immobility, it is in your best interest to see an experienced orthopedic doctor sooner rather than later. Fellowship trained by Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Stephen Soffer favors minimally invasive treatments whenever possible, although he is well qualified to perform both open and arthroscopic surgery. 

His comprehensive treatment offerings combined with his compassionate demeanor appoint Dr. Soffer as the Reading, PA area’s leading choice for precise diagnosis and personalized treatment of shoulder issues, including frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears and beyond. 

To find out more about how Dr. Soffer can help you bounce back from shoulder dysfunction with targeted treatment, call our office at 610-375-4949 and schedule a consultation!

Top-Rated Rotator Cuff Surgeons: Berkshire Orthopedics

by Leave a Comment

rotator cuff surgeons

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that help to stabilize the shoulder joint. This structure can be damaged either through acute injury or wear and tear that compiles over time. If you’ve been experiencing discomfort and loss of mobility in your shoulder, it could be related to rotator cuff damage. In this case, you’ll want to seek out the best Reading, PA rotator cuff surgeons to help you assess and treat the issue promptly. This is where Dr. Stephen Soffer comes in.

Top-Rated Rotator Cuff Surgeons: Dr. Stephen Soffer

If pain, reduced range of motion or other symptoms related to a shoulder injury are impacting your quality of life, it’s key to see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible. Here’s why:

  • Obtaining professional rotator cuff treatment sooner rather than later — before the situation potentially becomes more complex or difficult to address — can help to lower your chance of needing surgery. 
  • In the event that shoulder surgery is recommended based on your diagnosis, already being in the care of an orthopedic surgeon will promote swift, successful treatment. 

As a general rule, more severe rotator cuff injuries are more likely to require surgery, while milder ones can more often be fully resolved with conservative methods like medication and physical therapy. However, the proper course of treatment will also depend on numerous other factors, including the patient’s age, their overall health status and their objectives for recovery. 

Get Rid of Shoulder Pain with Dr. Soffer

With a fellowship alongside Dr. James Andrews among his many training experiences, Dr. Soffer brings the expertise needed to offer a full range of rotator cuff treatment options. Individuals from all age groups and walks of life trust him to create personalized treatment plans for joint issues, whether operative or nonoperative modalities are most appropriate given their unique circumstances.

His vast capabilities coupled with the compassionate, patient-centered care he offers make Dr. Soffer the Berks County area’s preferred choice among local rotator cuff surgeons. To learn more about his credentials and set up an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949!

Schedule An Appointment With Us ›