Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

Dr. Soffer

How Long Does It Take Elbow Tendonitis to Heal?

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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.

How Long Does It Take Elbow Tendonitis to Heal?

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:

  • Avoiding activities which exacerbate symptoms
  • Icing the affected area to reduce inflammation
  • Taking anti-inflammatory and/or pain relieving medications
  • Wearing an elbow brace
  • Performing stretching exercises to promote mobility and healing

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.

See Dr. Soffer for Comprehensive Orthopedic Care You Can Rely On

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.

SLAP Injury Symptoms to Watch For

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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.

SLAP Injury Symptoms to Watch For

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:

  • A sharp or dull aching pain felt deep in the affected shoulder
  • Shoulder pain upon raising your arm, lifting, reaching overhead or throwing 
  • A grinding/popping/clicking sensation when moving the shoulder 
  • Reduced range of motion in the shoulder 

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.

Find the Right Treatment for Your Shoulder Issue with Dr. Soffer

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.

Meniscus Tear: Recovery Timetable

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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.

Meniscus Tear: Recovery Timetable

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:

  • Smaller, less severe meniscus tears are more likely to be resolved with nonoperative treatments, such as taking pain relievers and taking time off from activities. Still, it’s best to be under the care of an orthopedic surgeon in case conservative treatment fails to provide full relief. 
  • For a larger, more severe or treatment-resistant meniscus tear – or one that’s located on the inner edge of the meniscus, which receives minimal blood supply – surgical meniscus repair may be recommended.
  • Depending on the type of meniscus procedure you undergo, rehabilitation time can vary. If a portion or all of your meniscus is removed through meniscectomy, you can anticipate a recovery time of around one month. 
  • The rehabilitation period following surgical meniscus repair may be a bit more lengthy – generally, it takes around three months for a patient to complete their recovery after this procedure. 

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. 

Get to the Bottom of Your Knee Issue with Dr. Soffer

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.

Shoulder Pain When Throwing Baseball? Advice from a Top Orthopedic Surgeon

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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.

Shoulder Pain When Throwing Baseball? Advice from a Top Orthopedic Surgeon

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:

  • Shoulder blade
  • Rotator cuff muscles and tendons
  • Shoulder joint (labrum & other cartilage)
  • Nerves controlling muscle function 

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. 

Reading, PA Area Patients Seeking Relief from Shoulder Pain Trust Dr. Soffer

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.

Tennis Elbow Healing Time, Treatments and More

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tennis elbow healing time

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.

Tennis Elbow Healing Time, Treatments and More

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:

  • Taking time off from activities to rest your elbow
  • Using anti-inflammatory medications to manage pain 
  • Applying ice to reduce swelling 
  • Performing exercises to reduce stiffness & restore normal range of motion
  • Wearing an elbow strap to prevent further strain/injury to the joint

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.

Find Relief from Elbow Pain with Help from Dr. Soffer 

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.

How to Determine Rotator Cuff Injury: Common Signs 

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how to determine rotator cuff injury

If you’re experiencing bothersome shoulder pain, aching, weakness or limited function, there is a chance you may have injured your rotator cuff. This can happen due to an acute incident or age-related shoulder muscle degeneration. In either case, it’s important to know how to determine rotator cuff injury so you can get the necessary treatment as soon as possible, before the issue gets worse or more complex. This article will go into more detail on how to identify a rotator cuff injury and how to get a professional diagnosis and skilled care.

How to Determine Rotator Cuff Injury: Common Signs 

Rotator cuff injuries may cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the severity. The spectrum of side effects from rotator cuff damage can include:

  • Pain and weakness in the affected shoulder or the entire arm
  • A dull aching sensation in the injured shoulder 
  • Reduced range of motion 
  • Trouble lifting and reaching overhead/behind your back
  • Disrupted sleep 
  • Limited ability to perform your occupation or hobbies 

If you’re dealing with one or more of these symptoms, the best method for how to determine rotator cuff injury is to see an orthopedic specialist. This professional can perform a physical examination and other testing on your shoulder to pinpoint whether a rotator cuff injury or something else is causing your discomfort. From there, they can diagnose your condition and its severity, then recommend an appropriate course of treatment based on these particulars.

Find an Answer to Persistent Shoulder Pain with Dr. Soffer 

For any sort of rotator cuff injury, seeking treatment early on will help to avoid further complications. In many cases, rotator cuff damage can be treated effectively without a need for surgery, if it is addressed promptly. Still, some patients require rotator cuff repair surgery to completely resolve this type of injury. Regardless of the level of treatment you need, you’ll be able to trust that you’re in good hands by choosing Dr. Stephen Soffer for your shoulder care. 

Dr. Soffer is known to offer individualized, highly skilled care, enabled in part by his completion of a sports medicine fellowship with one of the world’s leading sports surgeons, Dr. James Andrews. To learn more about Dr. Soffer’s credentials and schedule an appointment, call our Wyomissing, PA office at 610-375-4949.

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