Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

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What Is the Best Doctor for Elbow Pain?

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best doctor for elbow pain

If you’re living with a painful elbow condition like arthritis – or you’re experiencing lingering symptoms of an elbow injury such as tennis elbow – it may be time to see an orthopedic surgeon. In this article, we’ll explain why this type of doctor is the best doctor for elbow pain of any kind, and explore some possible treatment options for elbow issues. 

What Is the Best Doctor for Elbow Pain?

Acute elbow injuries and chronic elbow conditions alike can range from mild to severe in terms of the symptoms that accompany them. To prevent issues from worsening, it’s important to see an orthopedic specialist promptly for elbow pain, stiffness, restricted motion, swelling or other lingering symptoms. And, to ensure you receive top-notch care with the full range of elbow treatment options available to you, choosing an orthopedic surgeon is the superior option. 

As the best doctor for elbow pain, this type of specialist can offer conservative, nonsurgical elbow treatments as well as surgical procedures (in case your elbow issue is severe or does not respond to first-line therapies). Elbow treatments provided by an orthopedic surgeon may include:

  • Physical therapy, to strengthen the elbow and improve range of motion
  • Time off from activities, to provide time for the elbow to heal and prevent the issue from getting worse
  • Medications for short-term pain management, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections & pain relievers
  • Elbow arthroscopy, a type of minimally invasive elbow surgery with proven benefit for numerous elbow issues
  • Elbow fracture surgery, in the case of a severe elbow fracture 
  • Tendon repair surgery, to reattach a torn biceps or triceps tendon to the bones and restore elbow functionality 

While many elbow problems can be effectively treated using conservative methods alone, it may be necessary to consider surgery in some cases. Being under the care of an esteemed orthopedic surgeon known to provide patient-centered elbow care means you’ll already be in the right place if surgery is needed to fully resolve your elbow issue.

Receive a Comprehensive Diagnosis & Treatment Plan from Dr. Soffer 

If you’re suffering from elbow pain, stiffness and discomfort that isn’t getting better on its own, the best doctor for elbow pain in the Wyomissing, PA area is Dr. Stephen Soffer. As a leading elbow expert, Dr. Soffer coauthored the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the US in collaboration with Dr. James Andrews. 

Bringing a compassionate approach to treating patients of all ages, Dr. Soffer truly cares about helping each individual find the best course of treatment for their lifestyle, condition and rehabilitation goals. To schedule an appointment to get started on solving your elbow issue with help from Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Carpal Tunnel: Treatment Options and More

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Carpal tunnel is a common condition that’s marked by pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling in the wrist, hand and/or lower arm. Discomfort from carpal tunnel typically comes and goes. It often flares up from activities that put strain on the median nerve, such as typing on a computer. If symptoms bother an individual in their day-to-day life, they may wish to explore carpal tunnel treatment options. In this article, we’ll discuss both conservative and surgical methods which may be recommended to help ease symptoms and resolve this painful condition.

Carpal Tunnel: Treatment Options and More

Depending on the severity of your case, an orthopedic doctor may suggest a number of different carpal tunnel treatment options. Generally, first-line treatments are prescribed to start, with surgical options being a last resort. Methods which may be effective in abating carpal tunnel symptoms include:

  • Doing Physical Therapy – Working with a physical therapist can be highly beneficial for anyone with carpal tunnel. This professional can teach you exercises that will increase the strength of your wrist and hand muscles, as well as suggest adaptations you can make in your occupation & hobbies to reduce the amount of stress put on your wrist region.
  • Wearing a Wrist Brace – For those with mild or moderate cases of carpal tunnel, it can be helpful to wear a wrist brace at night and while performing activities that trigger symptoms.
  • Taking Corticosteroids – Administered via shots or pills, corticosteroids can help to lessen pain and swelling related to carpal tunnel. However, they will only provide short-term relief and thus aren’t a permanent solution.
  • Having Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery – If you’ve been trying conservative treatment strategies for 6 months or longer with little or no success, your orthopedic doctor may recommend carpal tunnel release surgery. This procedure is designed to take pressure off the median nerve and may be performed via open or arthroscopic surgery, depending on the individual case.

Create a Carpal Tunnel Treatment Plan with Orthopedic Expert Dr. Soffer

Carpal tunnel can make it difficult and painful to perform your job and enjoy your favorite pastimes. If you’re experiencing lingering wrist discomfort, Dr. Stephen Soffer is here to help you find the right course of treatment to address your symptoms. Having completed a fellowship in sports medicine with renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer is highly qualified to perform carpal tunnel release surgery or advise on the right nonsurgical treatments.

To schedule an appointment to make a carpal tunnel treatment plan with Dr. Soffer at our Wyomissing, PA office, call us today at 610-375-4949.

How to Diagnose Rotator Cuff Injury

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Rotator cuff injuries affect everyone from young athletes to elderly individuals. Depending on the specific case, a rotator cuff problem may arise due to an acute injury or degeneration of the shoulder muscles over time. In terms of how to diagnose rotator cuff injury, it’s helpful to know the typical symptoms of this common shoulder issue. In this article, we’ll offer advice on how to recognize a rotator cuff injury and what to expect when seeing an orthopedic physician for diagnosis & treatment.

How to Diagnose Rotator Cuff Injury

Indicators which may signal you’ve sustained a rotator cuff injury include:

  • Shoulder/arm pain and weakness
  • A dull aching feeling in your shoulder
  • Trouble reaching behind your back or above your head
  • Disrupted sleep and trouble performing daily activities

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to see an orthopedic expert promptly to prevent the issue from getting worse. When it comes to how to diagnose rotator cuff injury professionally, your sports medicine physician will likely use a combination of the following methods:

  • Performing a thorough exam by moving the affected shoulder into various positions and pressing on it in different spots to evaluate its strength, mobility and overall functionality.
  • Conducting an MRI or ultrasound imaging to pinpoint the location of rotator cuff damage and determine its severity.

Using these techniques, an experienced orthopedic doctor will be able to accurately diagnose your rotator cuff issue and advise on the best course of treatment to resolve it.

Get the Prestigious, Compassionate Orthopedic Care You Deserve 

If you suspect that you may have sustained a rotator cuff injury, it’s key to visit a skilled sports medicine specialist as soon as possible. For patients in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Soffer is the top-rated provider of patient-centered, state-of-the-art orthopedic care.

Having completed a sports medicine fellowship with world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer is now recognized as one of America’s Top Doctors. He proudly offers a comprehensive range of surgical & nonsurgical treatments to address shoulder issues such as rotator cuff injuries. To learn more about his credentials and schedule an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949.

How to Find the Best Knee Replacement Surgeons Near Me

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best knee replacement surgeons near me Knee replacement surgery is among the most common orthopedic procedures performed in Berks County and across the US each year. When nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief for patients who suffer from ongoing knee discomfort and dysfunction, this procedure can be a viable option. To maximize the benefits and outcomes, it’s absolutely crucial to locate one of the best knee replacement surgeons near me. So, what should you look for to confirm that you’ll be under the care of a highly skilled surgeon who cares about your comfort and rehabilitation? Let’s discuss some of the top qualities that a superior orthopedic surgeon will display.

How to Find the Best Knee Replacement Surgeons Near Me

If you’re considering total or partial knee replacement surgery, choosing a surgeon you trust is of paramount importance. Here are a few questions to ask when comparing orthopedic specialists in your area:

  • Does the surgeon maintain board certification? Achieving board certification indicates that a medical professional has passed an exam verifying their skills, knowledge and overall mastery of their specialty. Dr. Stephen Soffer maintains board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, with ongoing certification in the treatment of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries affecting the knee, shoulder and elbow.
  • Has the surgeon completed in-depth training? Choosing a distinguished, experienced orthopedic surgeon is key to get the best possible results from knee replacement surgery. To help him become the leading orthopedic expert he is today, Dr. Soffer completed a sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship with world-famous orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. For many consecutive years, Dr. Soffer has been recognized for his outstanding ability to perform both open and arthroscopic knee surgery with a high success rate.
  • Is the surgeon known to demonstrate good bedside manner? You can learn a lot about a medical professional’s attitude and care philosophy by looking at patient testimonials online. Take the time to do your research and make sure your surgeon can be relied upon for compassionate, patient-centered care – from diagnosis through recovery – as Dr. Soffer has a long-standing reputation for providing.

Explore Cutting-Edge Knee Treatment Options with Dr. Soffer

For Reading, PA area patients looking for the best knee replacement surgeons near me, Dr. Soffer is an esteemed and dependable choice. When you entrust him with your orthopedic care, he will take your individual symptoms and circumstances into careful consideration. Further, he’ll use advanced diagnostic techniques to formulate the most appropriate and effective treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms.

Offering a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for knee pain, Dr. Soffer can help you return to an active, enriching lifestyle. To schedule an appointment with him, please call our office at 610-375-4949.

Exactech Clinical Evaluator Meeting 2021

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Today, Dr. Soffer is at the Exactech Clinical Evaluator meeting in Asheville, NC working with the designers and engineers at Exactech to develop new and better shoulder replacements for patients.

Doctors give them input on improving instruments for insertion, designing better structure and function of shoulder replacements and using computer navigation to help surgeons be more accurate in the operating room.We’re proud of Dr. Soffer’s important contributions!

What to Expect from Orthopedic Elbow Surgery

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what to expect from orthopedic elbow surgery The elbow consists of three joints located where the forearm bones meet the humerus bone of the upper arm. When the elbow is injured or affected by a condition like arthritis, it can interfere with the mobility and function of the entire arm. If you are experiencing elbow pain/swelling, or having trouble moving your arm, conservative treatments like rest, medication and physical therapy may help. However, elbow surgery may be necessary for full rehabilitation, depending on your individual case. When considering surgical treatment, knowing what to expect from orthopedic elbow surgery is very helpful. This way, you can plan ahead and set yourself up to achieve the best possible outcome.

What to Expect from Orthopedic Elbow Surgery

Depending on the type of elbow problem, its severity and other factors specific to the patient, the most appropriate elbow surgery option can vary. Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery can be effective in the treatment of numerous elbow problems, including tennis elbow and early elbow arthritis. Meanwhile, open surgeries like elbow fracture repair or joint replacement are generally more beneficial for elbow fractures or advanced arthritis.

While recovery time and results will vary for each procedure and patient, here is some general information on what to expect from orthopedic elbow surgery:

  • After completing surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will place a bandage over your wound and stitches. Your orthopedic surgeon will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your wound and ease any discomfort, such as by icing your arm or taking pain relievers. You may need to wear an elbow splint for around 7-10 days to stabilize your arm as it heals.
  • Once you are cleared to remove your splint, you’ll be instructed to start performing exercises designed to increase your elbow strength, flexibility and mobility. These motions may be painful at first, but they should gradually feel more comfortable as your elbow becomes stronger within approximately 3-6 months.
  • After elbow surgery, most patients are able to return to their daily activities in 2-6 weeks and can resume work in 6-12 weeks, with accommodations made if necessary. As for returning to athletic activities, most patients are advised to wait around 4-24 weeks to make sure the operated elbow has healed enough to participate in sports without a high risk of reinjury.

The majority of elbow surgery patients report a significant improvement in their symptoms, with minimized pain and greater mobility typically achieved six months to one year after surgery. Keep in mind that your personal experience will ultimately depend on your body’s healing rate, the type of surgery you undergo, how closely you follow post-operative instructions and other individual factors.

Depend On Dr. Soffer for State-of-the-Art Elbow Care

If you are experiencing ongoing elbow discomfort, it may be time to explore treatment options with an orthopedic specialist such as Dr. Stephen Soffer in Reading, PA. Earlier in his career, Dr. Soffer completed a fellowship and co-authored the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the U.S. with Dr. James Andrews. Today, he is widely recognized as a distinguished, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of elbow, knee and shoulder issues.

If you are ready to find relief for an orthopedic condition or sports injury, call our office today at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer.

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