Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

Dr. Soffer

Can Arthritis Be Removed From Knee Joints?

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Can arthritis be removed from knee

Among individuals in various phases of life, arthritis in the knee or other joints is a common complaint. This condition can cause significant pain and drastically reduce mobility, prompting many patients to wonder: “Can arthritis be removed from knee joints?” Today, our Reading, PA orthopedic specialist is here to provide some helpful information on this topic.

Can Arthritis Be Removed From Knee Joints?

If knee discomfort, stiffness or instability is affecting you in your daily life, seeing an orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Stephen Soffer is the crucial first step to arrive at a solution. This professional can provide an in-depth evaluation and accurate diagnosis of your condition, followed by a personalized treatment plan.

So, can arthritis be removed from knee, and if so, how? Here are a few possible ways to proceed:

  • If arthritis or other damage is limited to a certain portion of the knee joint, a partial knee replacement may be sufficient to resolve it. 
  • In some cases, loose bone or cartilage may be taken out through arthroscopic knee surgery, a minimally invasive option which can speed healing time, improve outcomes and prevent the need for a knee replacement.
  • To address more extensive damage in the knee joint, a total knee replacement (also called arthroplasty) may be recommended. This procedure involves removal of the diseased joint, after which a durable orthopedic implant is inserted to help restore healthy, comfortable knee function and movement.

Ultimately, the suitability of surgery will depend on the specifics of the patient’s knee condition, along with their age, activity level and recovery goals. For some, arthritis can be effectively managed over time with medication or other conservative options. Others may opt to pursue surgical treatment with a qualified expert like Dr. Soffer.

Explore Individualized Knee Treatment Options 

As a board-certified knee surgeon with fellowship training by world-leading sports medicine physician Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer takes pride in providing top-quality knee care to patients throughout Berks County, PA. 

After using advanced techniques to diagnose your unique issue, Dr. Soffer will walk you through appropriate nonoperative or operative treatment options and help you make the best decision for you. To schedule an appointment with him, call our office at 610-375-4949!

Who Are the Best Knee Replacement Doctors Near Me?

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best knee replacement doctors near me

Knee pain and dysfunction can hold you back from enjoying the hobbies you love, getting around on a daily basis or performing tasks for your job. In the face of this hurdle, you may wish to consult the best knee replacement doctors near me who can advise on the right treatment option for your unique situation. In Berks County, PA, Dr. Stephen Soffer is an esteemed choice for any level of orthopedic care, ranging from conservative to surgical treatment.

Who Are the Best Knee Replacement Doctors Near Me?

If you’re concerned about decreasing knee functionality and related symptoms such as discomfort, swelling/inflammation and lost range of motion, it’s in your best interest to seek out professional evaluation and treatment as promptly as possible. Here are a few possible routes which your specialist may suggest to address a bothersome knee condition:

— Nonoperative therapies – In some cases, a simple routine of resting the affected knee, applying ice, performing targeted physical therapy exercises and taking anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed can offer significant relief from knee pain. 

— Knee replacement surgery – In the event that symptoms persist after trying first-line treatments, knee replacement surgery may be recommended. This procedure enables the removal of damaged cartilage and bone, after which the surgeon inserts implants to replace these structures.

For many patients facing knee joint degeneration or another complex issue, surgery can provide a pathway to better mobility, less pain and higher all-around quality of life. In order to achieve the most favorable outcome, it’s important to partner with a qualified knee surgeon who you can trust, such as Dr. Soffer.

See Dr. Soffer for a Personalized Knee Treatment Plan

If you’ve been researching the best knee replacement doctors near me, in and around Reading, PA, look no further than Dr. Soffer. With a long-standing reputation for providing compassionate and skillful care, he is board certified and holds expertise in offering all manner of knee treatments. Among his diverse training experience and achievements, he completed a fellowship with Dr. James Andrews, an acclaimed sports medicine surgeon.

To get on your way to opening up new possibilities for what you can do with restored knee functionality, reach out to Dr. Soffer’s office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment!

What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis in the Shoulder?

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One of the leading causes of shoulder pain and immobility in older adults, shoulder arthritis can be very disruptive to one’s daily routine. This prompts many to wonder, “What is the best treatment for arthritis in the shoulder?” Ranging from conservative modalities to different types of surgery, the right treatment for this condition will depend on a patient’s individual set of factors — age, lifestyle, type and extent of arthritis, recovery goals, etc. Read on to learn more about the possible options.

What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis in the Shoulder?

As is generally true for any orthopedic condition, a physician will typically recommend trying nonoperative options before considering surgery for shoulder arthritis. First-line therapies may include:

  • Modifying one’s activities
  • Icing/heating the affected shoulder
  • Getting corticosteroid injections
  • Taking an anti-inflammatory medication
  • Performing physical therapy exercises to improve range of motion

If these treatments prove to be inadequate to address shoulder symptoms, their doctor may at this point suggest some kind of shoulder surgery, such as:

  • Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), also known as total shoulder replacement – In many cases, the damaged bone and cartilage caused by shoulder arthritis can be removed using this surgical option, thereby alleviating discomfort and improving range of motion. 
  • Reverse shoulder replacement – For patients with cuff tear arthropathy, a full or unresolved rotator cuff injury and/or a previous ineffective shoulder replacement, this procedure may be a better match.

Again, in terms of what is the best treatment for arthritis in the shoulder, the most appropriate answer will be determined by the type and severity of the individual’s arthritis, as well as other life factors. In turn, it’s important to see a qualified expert who will take a holistic view of your circumstances to arrive at the best-matched option.

Ease Shoulder Arthritis Pain with Targeted Treatment

If you’re eager to pursue personalized treatment for shoulder pain in the Reading, PA area, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Stephen Soffer brings a proven track record in successfully performing cutting-edge shoulder surgical procedures with favorable patient outcomes, as well as prescribing effective conservative treatment plans for those who are not good candidates for surgery. He is proud to maintain board certification and to be fellowship trained by Dr. James Andrews, an esteemed sports medicine surgeon.

To learn more about Dr. Soffer and schedule a consultation, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Find Expert Tennis Elbow Surgeons Near Me: PA

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tennis elbow surgeons near me

Caused by overuse of the elbow — whether it stems from literally playing tennis or other sports, performing one’s occupation or doing a combination of activities — tennis elbow can be very painful and limiting. If this condition is interfering with your life, you may wonder about the best PA tennis elbow surgeons near me and how they might be able to help you. Read on for more information on these topics! 

Find Expert Tennis Elbow Surgeons Near Me: PA

Throughout the Berks County, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer is respected as a leading orthopedic surgeon with proven capability to treat conditions affecting the elbow, knee, shoulder, and other joints.

For those experiencing tennis elbow symptoms such as stiffness, weakness, swelling, limited range of motion and discomfort, Dr. Soffer may initially recommend nonsurgical treatments. These might include:

— Taking time off from activities involving the elbow

— Icing the joint

— Managing inflammation with medication

— Wearing an elbow brace

— Getting steroid injections

— Doing physical therapy exercises

In the event that a conservative treatment plan fails to successfully resolve tennis elbow, it’s beneficial to already be under the care of a practiced orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Soffer. 

Through careful examination and consideration of your unique case, Dr. Soffer can help you determine whether surgical treatment is a wise course of action for you. Tennis elbow surgery can often be done arthroscopically, offering the advantages of minimal scarring and trauma to the joint to promote a faster recovery.

Discuss Your Elbow Concerns with Dr. Soffer

Receiving certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, co-authoring a textbook on elbow arthroscopy with Dr. James Andrews and lecturing around the world to advance orthopedic medicine are just a few of Dr. Soffer’s accomplishments. For patients of all ages, he prioritizes minimally invasive procedures whenever possible and aims to deliver maximum results catered to personal circumstances. 

If you’re seeking tennis elbow surgeons near me who you can trust, look no further to receive compassionate, world-class care! To learn more about elbow treatment options available at Dr. Soffer’s office and make an appointment with him, call 610-375-4949. 

Can Cartilage Be Restored? Ask an Orthopedic Surgeon

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can cartilage be restored

At the joints where our bones meet lies smooth connective tissue known as articular cartilage. When this cartilage is healthy, it helps to facilitate fluid movement and prevent friction so that our joints can flex and bend easily. On the other hand, when this tissue becomes damaged due to acute injury or degeneration over time, it can lead to ongoing joint pain and dysfunction. This begs the question, can cartilage be restored? Our orthopedic expert is here to provide clarity on what’s currently possible.

Can Cartilage Be Restored? Ask an Orthopedic Surgeon

Swelling, stiffness and a grinding sensation in the affected joint(s) are common complaints associated with cartilage wear. Fortunately, owing to advancements in orthopedic treatment, there are now numerous minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures available to help address cartilage defects. For example:

  • A piece of healthy cartilage may be transplanted or grafted onto an area where cartilage is deficient (as an important note, replacement cartilage may have a shorter lifespan than the original tissue).
  • Small holes may be made in damaged cartilage and the underlying bone in order to promote new cartilage growth that will cover the defect or fill in the gap.

When seeking more information on how can cartilage be restored and considering procedures to enable this, keep in mind that results will vary from patient to patient. Additionally, there are certain cases where it will not be possible to repair, restore or regenerate damaged cartilage, in which case another treatment approach may be needed. For example, addressing cartilage degradation related to knee arthritis that has been developing over many years may require knee replacement surgery.

Explore Effective Treatment Methods for Cartilage Damage

At his practice in Wyomissing, PA, Dr. Stephen Soffer proudly provides a range of cutting-edge treatment options for orthopedic issues, all centered around alleviating pain and restoring joint and cartilage functionality. 

Equipped with fellowship training from sports medicine specialist Dr. James Andrews and other high-level experience, Dr. Soffer is qualified to offer both operative and nonoperative treatments. To learn more and find out whether you are a good candidate for a particular cartilage restoration procedure, reach out to our office at 610-375-4949. 

What Kind of Doctor to See for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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what doctor for carpal tunnel

A common side effect of jobs requiring long hours of computer work and other tasks involving frequent hand actions of similar variety, carpal tunnel syndrome can be very painful. If symptoms in the hand, wrist and/or arm begin to interfere with one’s daily activities, an individual may wonder about what doctor for carpal tunnel is the best choice. Let’s look into the reasons why an orthopedic surgeon is the right answer here.

What Kind of Doctor to See for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For a patient experiencing carpal tunnel impacts, there are several nonsurgical treatment options which can potentially be helpful in alleviating discomfort. These first-line therapies may include:

  • Taking time off from or adjusting activities
  • Steroid injections
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy exercises

However, these conservative treatments don’t provide a full solution for every case of carpal tunnel. For patients with persistent or more severe symptoms, a procedure called carpal tunnel release surgery may be considered. In turn, it’s best to start out under the care of an orthopedic surgeon in case your personal treatment pathway leads to this surgery.

Following this procedure, patients should closely follow their surgeon’s instructions in order to minimize discomfort while healing and optimize their long-term results. Partnering with a physical therapist will also most likely be advised to facilitate restoration of finger mobility and grip strength while addressing stiffness in the operated hand. When adhering to their personal treatment guidelines, most patients experience significant reduction in their carpal tunnel symptoms within a year following this surgery. 

Handle Hand Pain with Advanced Treatment from Dr. Soffer

Now that you know what doctor for carpal tunnel is the most well-equipped choice, you may be eager to schedule an appointment with a provider who fits the bill. As an orthopedic professional serving patients throughout the Berks County, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer has proven expertise in treating carpal tunnel with both operative and nonoperative methods. 

Fellowship-trained in sports medicine by specialist Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer takes pride in offering compassionate, top-level care for orthopedic issues of all sorts. To discuss your unique situation with him, call our office at 610-375-4949 and request an appointment.

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