Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

Blog

Meniscus Injury Prevention Tips

by Leave a Comment

The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped piece of cartilage that helps to cushion and stabilize the bones in the knee joint. While the meniscus is built to absorb shock, it can tear if the knee is suddenly & forcefully rotated or twisted. For patients of all ages, following meniscus injury prevention guidelines is advised to help strengthen the muscles which support the knee, thus protecting against meniscus tears. In this article, we’ll offer simple tips that can help lower your chances of sustaining a meniscus injury.

Meniscus Injury Prevention Tips

By incorporating the following meniscus injury prevention strategies into your daily routine, you can effectively reduce your risk of experiencing this common cartilage injury:

  • Don’t try to “push through” knee pain – If you experience knee discomfort, take time off from activities to rest. Attempting to work through knee pain/soreness can add inflammation and make the joint more susceptible to injury.
  • Add dynamic stretching to your routine – Before & after exercising, get in the habit of doing dynamic stretches. These are stretches which involve moving your muscles & joints through their full range of motion in a smooth, controlled fashion.
  • Choose your footwear wisely – Shoes worn for athletics should fit properly, have good traction and provide adequate support.
  • Increase the intensity of your workouts at an even pace – Trying to advance too quickly can put excessive strain on your muscles, potentially resulting in a meniscus tear or another orthopedic injury.

While taking steps to maintain strong, balanced knees can help prevent meniscus tears, they can still occur – especially during activities which involve running or jumping. Common indicators of a torn meniscus include a popping noise at the time of injury, persistent knee pain, swelling and difficulty bending/straightening the affected leg.

Reading, PA Patients Rely On Dr. Soffer for Exceptional Orthopedic Care 

If you believe you may have sustained a meniscus injury, you can count on Dr. Stephen Soffer to help you get on the road to recovery. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Soffer excels in performing arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery. He also offers advanced conservative treatments for orthopedic injuries, which may be sufficient to provide relief and promote healing in certain cases.

Whether or not your injury necessitates surgery, Dr. Soffer has the skills and experience needed to help you recover & resolve your symptoms. To determine the most appropriate course of treatment for you, he will take your age, activity level and the characteristics of your injury into account. Call our office today at 610-375-4949 to arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer – in person or via telemedicine.

Carpal Tunnel Release: Recovery Time and More

by Leave a Comment

carpal tunnel release recovery

Caused by pressure on the median nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by pain, numbness and tingling in the hand/arm. Often aggravated by spending long hours working on a computer, this condition can cause great discomfort and affect one’s ability to perform their job, hobbies and everyday tasks. Fortunately, a range of treatments are available to help alleviate symptoms, including carpal tunnel release surgery. When considering this treatment, it is important to be aware of what the recovery process entails. This article will outline the general carpal tunnel release recovery timeline and specify other important things to know.

Carpal Tunnel Release: Recovery Time and More

While carpal tunnel can often be effectively managed with nonsurgical methods like medication, physical therapy, steroid injections and activity adjustments, surgery is sometimes necessary. Here’s what you can generally anticipate for recovery, should you decide to undergo carpal tunnel release surgery:

  • 2 Weeks After Surgery – About 2 weeks after surgery, you will return to your orthopedic surgeon’s office to have your stitches & bandages removed. Your provider may recommend physical therapy to ease stiffness and improve range of motion in your operated hand. Additionally, you may be advised to wear a splint or wrist brace for a few weeks post surgery.
  • 2-4 Weeks After Surgery – In the first few weeks of carpal tunnel release recovery, it is normal to notice pain & soreness in your palm. Rest assured that this discomfort typically lessens significantly by the one-month mark. By this time, you should be able to gradually resume light daily activities, with permission from your doctor.
  • 4 Weeks After Surgery – You should be well on your way to regaining full mobility in your fingers. Working with a physical therapist, many patients are able to achieve this milestone within a month after carpal tunnel release surgery.
  • 6-8 Weeks After Surgery – By this point, your physician will likely have cleared you to resume work, hobbies and athletic activities. Keep in mind that you may still experience palm sensitivity & soreness at times. Grip strength is typically restored within 2-3 months after surgery, but it can take longer for some patients. As you regain full grip strength, you may have trouble opening doors or food jars.
  • 1 Year After Surgery – Most patients notice a dramatic improvement in their symptoms by this point. However, be advised that it could take longer to experience the full benefits of the surgery, especially if another condition such as arthritis also affects your operated wrist.

Ultimately, the carpal tunnel release recovery timeline will be slightly different for every patient. Factors which can affect one’s recovery include age, presence of other conditions, overall health status and adherence to post-operative guidelines.

See Dr. Soffer for Expert Orthopedic Care in Berks County

Carpal tunnel can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, this common condition is treatable. If you are experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms, it is important to see an orthopedic surgeon early on to prevent your condition from worsening and to expedite your recovery.

Known as the orthopedic doctor Berks County patients can depend on, Dr. Stephen Soffer provides cutting-edge treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome and other orthopedic conditions. Drawing on years of experience, Dr. Soffer is determined to help every patient find a personalized solution for their orthopedic issues. If you are eager to resolve your symptoms and get back to doing what you love, call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.

Why Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist for Shoulder Pain?

by Leave a Comment

orthopedic doctor for shoulder pain near me

Painful shoulder conditions can develop as a result of overusing the joint, sustaining a sports injury or even injuring the joint during an everyday activity such as cleaning. As one ages, osteoarthritis (aka degenerative joint disease) can also affect the shoulder. If you are experiencing lingering shoulder discomfort accompanied by symptoms such as limited range of motion, swelling and stiffness, you are likely eager to find a solution. Visiting a qualified orthopedic doctor for shoulder pain near me is the first step in getting lasting relief from your shoulder symptoms. Let’s discuss why an orthopedic specialist is the right type of doctor to see for shoulder pain.

Why Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist?

Common shoulder pain sources such as frozen shoulder, bursitis, rotator cuff tears and labrum tears can greatly interfere with one’s quality of life. If you are experiencing signs of a shoulder issue, here’s how a skilled orthopedic physician can help:

  • Prevent the issue from worsening – For shoulder conditions of all sorts, prompt treatment is key to avoid further cartilage damage and more severe shoulder symptoms. An experienced orthopedic doctor is equipped with specialized skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal medicine. Thus, he or she can be trusted to provide an accurate diagnosis and guide you to the most appropriate course of treatment for your individual case.
  • Ensure access to the full range of treatment options – Generally, an orthopedic physician will recommend trying conservative shoulder treatment methods to start out. If first-line therapies such as medication and physical therapy fail to provide full relief, however, operative procedures may be considered as a next step. By choosing an orthopedic doctor who specializes in shoulder surgery, you will already be under the care of the right medical professional, should your shoulder issue require surgical treatment.

Whatever the cause of your ongoing shoulder pain, seeing an orthopedic specialist is the best course of action to ensure you receive cutting-edge care.

Orthopedic Doctor for Shoulder Pain Near Me: Reading, PA | Berkshire Orthopedics, LLC

When in need of an orthopedic doctor for shoulder pain of any type, patients throughout the Reading, PA area select Dr. Stephen Soffer. Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Soffer offers all of the most advanced treatments for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. In addition to possessing expertise pertaining to nonsurgical shoulder therapies, he is a master of performing both arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery.

If you are ready to resolve your shoulder pain with the help of a compassionate professional, call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.

What Is Involved in Wrist Fracture Treatment?

by Leave a Comment

wrist fracture treatment

A number of scenarios may lead to a wrist fracture, including automobile accidents and falls. Having weak bones (such as caused by osteoporosis) can also make an individual more susceptible to wrist breaks. As with any orthopedic injury, the type & severity of a wrist fracture will play a role in determining the right course of treatment. This article will provide an overview of commonly used wrist fracture treatment methods and explain when each might be appropriate.

What Is Involved in Wrist Fracture Treatment?

A wrist fracture is typically accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain and swelling. Often, it will be difficult or impossible for the patient to move or use the injured hand, although this is not always the case. Let’s explore how the most appropriate wrist fracture treatment might vary from patient to patient, depending on the type and severity of the break:

  • Splint/Cast – If the bones do not move out of place when the wrist is fractured, it is known as a non-displaced break and will typically be considered stable. Conversely, when one or more bones are displaced, the wrist will need to be “set” to facilitate proper healing. In either scenario, the fracture may be stable enough to be treated with a splint or cast. A padded splint is often worn initially to help alleviate pain, align the bones and support the wrist. For a fracture that is displaced but stable, a cast may be used to keep the wrist correctly positioned once the bone has been set.
  • Surgery – For more severe, unstable wrist fractures, surgery may be necessary to hold the bones in place and prevent shifting. A number of devices may be used to repair a broken wrist, including screws, plates, pins and external fixators. A tiny camera called an arthroscope may sometimes be utilized to help the orthopedic surgeon get a detailed view of the injured wrist.

Ultimately, the right treatment(s) will depend on the nature of the break, plus other individual factors including the patient’s age, their overall health and whether the affected hand is their dominant one. Recovery time for a broken wrist will also differ from patient to patient, based on these same factors. The fractured bone is usually healed in 4-6 weeks, but the soft tissues may take longer to fully heal.

Rely On Dr. Soffer for World-Class Treatment in Berks County

If you believe you may have sustained a broken wrist, Dr. Stephen Soffer is here to help you heal by providing cutting-edge care. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as well as training from world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer offers all the most advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatments for wrist fractures and other orthopedic injuries. To arrange an in-person or telemedicine appointment with him, call our office today at 610-375-4949.

How To Choose an Arthroscopic Knee Surgeon

by Leave a Comment

arthroscopic knee surgeons near me

Commonly associated with orthopedic conditions such as knee arthritis, chronic knee pain can be bothersome at the very least, and debilitating at worst. While non-surgical therapies can often help to resolve knee discomfort, surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases. If you have tried conservative methods for knee pain with limited success, perhaps you are now searching for arthroscopic knee surgeons near me. As for any medical procedure, it is vital to choose your surgeon wisely in order to maximize your chances of having a speedy recovery and a favorable long-term outcome. In this article, we’ll discuss tips for selecting a qualified knee surgeon.

How To Choose a Knee Surgeon

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that is commonly used to repair damaged knee cartilage. Whether knee tissue damage occurs as the result of an acute injury such as a meniscus tear, or it develops over time due to a degenerative condition like arthritis, arthroscopy has a high success rate.

A skilled knee surgeon can help you determine whether knee arthroscopy or another type of knee surgery is appropriate for you, given your symptoms, age, activity level and other individual factors. When comparing arthroscopic knee surgeons near me, it is important to consider the following:

  • Is the orthopedic surgeon board certified?
  • What type of educational background and training does the surgeon possess?
  • Does the surgeon have vast experience in completing arthroscopic knee surgery?
  • Are there positive testimonials for the surgeon which attest to his qualifications?
  • Does the surgeon use cutting-edge technologies & prioritize minimally invasive methods whenever possible?
  • Is the surgeon’s practice known for a compassionate, patient-centered treatment approach?
  • Is the provider recommended by one or more other medical professionals whom you trust?

Arthroscopic Knee Surgeons Near Me: Reading, PA

When patients in the Reading, PA area search for “arthroscopic knee surgeons near me,” Dr. Stephen Soffer stands out as the most experienced and qualified choice. Specializing in arthroscopic knee, shoulder and elbow treatment, Dr. Soffer is board certified and fellowship trained by Dr. James Andrews, a world-renowned sports surgeon.

Drawing on years of expertise, Dr. Soffer is proud to provide individualized care for every patient, utilizing a range of advanced surgical & nonsurgical orthopedic techniques and treatments.

If you are experiencing lingering knee pain, you can depend on Dr. Soffer to recommend the most appropriate course of treatment and help you resume an active, fulfilling lifestyle. If you’re ready to get on the road to recovering from your knee issue, call our office at 610-375-4949 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.

When Is Labrum Tear Surgery Necessary?

by Leave a Comment

labrum tear surgery

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that is stabilized & reinforced by several different tissue structures, including the labrum. Although this fibrous piece of tissue is quite resilient, the labrum can be torn as a result of overuse or acute injury. While labral injuries such as SLAP tears often respond well to conservative treatment, labrum tear surgery is sometimes needed to fully resolve symptoms. In this article, we’ll provide examples of cases in which surgical labrum repair may be necessary.

When Is Labrum Tear Surgery Necessary?

The most appropriate course of treatment for a torn labrum will vary from person to person, depending on the size & nature of the tear along with the severity of the patient’s symptoms. Experiencing one or more of the following may indicate a labral tear:

  • Shoulder pain & aching, ranging from mild to severe
  • A feeling of looseness in the shoulder joint
  • A sensation of popping/catching/clicking when the shoulder is moved

Initially, a conservative treatment approach is likely to be taken for a labral tear. Nonsurgical therapies such as rest, physical therapy and medication are generally prescribed as first-line treatments. In the event that conservative care fails to alleviate a patient’s symptoms, however, surgical labrum repair may be recommended as the next step.

If a small labral tear does not improve with nonsurgical treatment, arthroscopic labrum tear surgery can offer a viable solution for certain patients. During this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) into the injured shoulder. This device gives the surgeon a detailed view of the injury, allowing them to remove the labrum’s frayed edges and any loose tissue which may be interfering with normal shoulder movement & function.

Arthroscopic surgery is also the preferred method when surgical repair is needed for a larger, more severe labral tear. In this scenario, arthroscopy provides a minimally invasive way to reattach torn labrum tissue and stabilize the shoulder joint, thus facilitating healing. As compared to open shoulder surgery, arthroscopic labral repair typically offers a significantly shorter recovery time, since it does not involve cutting through the muscles to reach the torn tissue.

Visit Dr. Soffer for Top-Tier Shoulder Care

If you are experiencing lingering shoulder symptoms, it may be time to see an orthopedic surgeon. Offering cutting-edge shoulder care to patients who live, work or play in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer is an esteemed arthroscopic surgery expert. In fact, Dr. Soffer educates other surgeons on this technique as a Master Instructor in shoulder arthroscopy for the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Additionally, he provides the full range of nonsurgical treatments for shoulder injuries.

Eager to explore your treatment options with a skilled, compassionate shoulder specialist who is dedicated to helping you heal? Call 610-375-4949 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Soffer.

Schedule An Appointment With Us ›