Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

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What Is Involved in Rehab After Knee Replacement?

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rehab after knee replacement

Chronic knee conditions such as osteoarthritis can often be effectively managed with nonsurgical methods. If first-line treatments fail to offer sufficient relief from symptoms, however, a patient may consider knee replacement surgery. Following the surgeon-recommended guidelines for rehab after knee replacement is essential to speed recovery and maximize the chances of getting excellent long-term results from surgery.

What Is Involved in Rehab After Knee Replacement?

Before committing to partial or total knee replacement surgery, patients should understand what the rehabilitation process will entail. Here is the standard post-operative timeline:

  • The First 24 Hours After Surgery: Rehab after knee replacement should start shortly after surgery, while you are still in the hospital. It is crucial to begin strengthening your operated knee as soon as possible. Within 24 hours, you will be instructed to stand and walk using an assistive device.
  • Discharge from the Hospital: Within 1-2 days, you should begin to gain some strength and range of motion in your knee. As this occurs, you should aim to gradually increase your activity level and reduce reliance on your assistive device. Before being discharged to your home or a rehab facility, you should ideally be able to perform simple daily tasks on your own, walk with minimal assistance and bend your knee well.
  • Weeks 3-6: Once discharged, you will be instructed to perform physical therapy exercises which are specifically designed to further improve your knee strength and flexibility. During this period, you should be able to start walking longer distances and performing more activities without an assistive device. Assuming you’ve stuck to the suggested plan for rehab after knee replacement, you can expect to be experiencing far less swelling and inflammation by this point.
  • Weeks 7-11: As your knee strength continues to improve, you will likely be able to resume low-impact activities such as biking and swimming. Your physical therapist will assess your progress and adjust your exercise plan as needed.
  • Week 12 & Beyond: At the 12-week mark, you may very well feel fully or almost fully recovered, with little to no knee pain remaining. However, it is still important to keep in touch with your surgeon and physical therapist, at this point and moving forward. Be sure to get clearance before resuming more demanding activities, and don’t hesitate to let your doctor know if you begin to experience significant knee discomfort.

While no two patients will have the exact same recovery timeline, hopefully this gives you a general idea of what you can expect during rehab after knee replacement.

Discuss the Right Knee Treatment for You with Dr. Soffer

If you are suffering from persistent knee pain that is interfering with your life, Dr. Stephen Soffer can help you get relief. He excels in all of the latest knee treatments, including nonsurgical options as well as arthroscopic and open knee surgery.

When you visit him, Dr. Soffer will carefully consider your circumstances and use advanced diagnostic techniques to determine whether you are a good candidate for knee surgery at this time. If you are ready to schedule an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you regain healthy, normal knee function so that you can get back to living your life.

Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Rotator Cuff Tears?

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does stem cell therapy work for rotator cuff tears

Stem cell therapy is an up-and-coming treatment with proven efficacy in relieving symptoms associated with a wide range of orthopedic injuries and conditions. Shoulder osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tears are among the shoulder issues which may be treated using stem cell therapy. If you are investigating treatment options for a torn rotator cuff, you might wonder: How does stem cell therapy work for rotator cuff tears, and am I a good candidate for this therapy?

Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Rotator Cuff Tears?

If first-line methods like rest, medication and physical therapy do not provide adequate relief from rotator cuff symptoms, a patient might consider stem cell therapy. This treatment is often a viable choice for active individuals looking to avoid surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Here is a brief overview of what stem cell therapy entails and how it can help treat some rotator cuff tears:

  • How does stem cell therapy work for rotator cuff tears? This therapy involves the removal of stem cells from the patient’s own body, typically from bone marrow in the hip. The healing agents in the bone marrow are then combined and injected into the affected rotator cuff. This process may reduce pain and may improve shoulder function in those with partial rotator cuff tears. It does not heal full thickness rotator cuff tears to the bone. Only surgery achieves that.
  • Is stem cell therapy safe? Because it uses the patient’s own stem cells, stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears carries low risk of tissue infection or rejection. Furthermore, there is minimal chance of serious or long-term side effects with this treatment option.
  • What is the difference between stem cell therapy and PRP injection? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is another nonsurgical treatment which may be used to reduce pain and improve shoulder function in those patients with rotator cuff tears. While similar, these two methods have some noteworthy differences. Namely, PRP therapy uses enriched blood platelets instead of stem cells.

Explore Shoulder Treatment Options with Dr. Soffer

Stem cell therapy has helped many patients get relief from treatment-resistant rotator cuff tears and other shoulder issues – without the need for surgery. If you are experiencing lingering shoulder discomfort, Dr. Soffer can help you find the best course of treatment for you. Specializing in all the most advanced surgical and nonsurgical shoulder treatments, including stem cell therapy, Dr. Soffer helps patients return to a pain-free lifestyle.

Are you ready to discuss your shoulder care options with our skilled and compassionate orthopedic doctor? Call us at 610-375-4949 to schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment.

Partial Tear of Rotator Cuff: Diagnosis and Treatment

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Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common orthopedic injuries, particularly among active individuals. When a patient sustains a partial or complete rotator cuff tear, it can result in pain, weakness and restricted range of motion in the shoulder. Fortunately, the symptoms of a full or partial tear of rotator cuff tendons can often be alleviated with conservative methods.

Diagnosing a Torn Rotator Cuff

The appropriate course of treatment for a torn rotator cuff will depend on the nature of the tear, including its size, location and severity. In order to determine where rotator cuff damage is present and how severe it is, a sports medicine physician may use a number of diagnostic techniques. These include:

  • A thorough shoulder examination. The doctor will move and press on the shoulder in various areas to assess mobility, strength and overall functionality of the rotator cuff muscles.
  • Imaging such as an MRI or ultrasound. This will help the physician to determine precisely where damage is present and whether the rotator cuff tear is partial or complete.

Possible Treatments for a Partial Tear of Rotator Cuff

Generally speaking, patients who have sustained a partial tear of rotator cuff are typically able to get relief from their symptoms without surgery. There are a number of non-invasive treatment options which can help to promote healing of the rotator cuff.

For many patients, performing physical therapy exercises is a key step in making a full recovery from a partial thickness rotator cuff tear. Steroid injections and anti-inflammatory medications can also be of use for pain reduction and shoulder rehabilitation.

In the event that conservative methods fail to resolve a patient’s discomfort and restore strength/mobility to the shoulder joint, however, surgery may be suggested. In most cases, partial rotator cuff tears can be addressed with minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. Depending on what percentage of the tendon is torn, surgical rotator cuff repair may or may not be needed.

Concerned About Lingering Shoulder Symptoms? See Dr. Soffer

If you suspect that you may have torn your rotator cuff, you’ll want to seek medical attention from a skilled orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Stephen Soffer in Reading, PA. Specializing in the diagnosis of shoulder issues and creation of effective treatment plans, Dr. Soffer is a qualified choice for your care.

Whether your rotator cuff injury can be treated conservatively or requires surgery, you can count on Dr. Soffer to help you make a fast and full recovery. To schedule an appointment with him, call our 24-hour sports injury hotline at 610-375-4949.

How Can I Tell If I Tore My MCL? Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

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how can i tell if i tore my mcl

Commonly known as the MCL, the medial collateral ligament is a crucial component of the knee joint which provides stability and prevents the joint from becoming overly mobile. While this ligament is quite resilient, it can be torn through significant impact to the inside of the knee. MCL tears are common among athletes – especially those who play sports such as football or basketball. If you are experiencing knee discomfort following physical activity, you might ask: How can I tell if I tore my MCL?

How Can I Tell If I Tore My MCL? Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

The symptoms of a torn MCL will vary from patient to patient. However, there are some general signs which are characteristic of this common knee injury. An individual with an MCL tear may notice the following:

  • A popping sound when the injury is sustained
  • Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee
  • Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out
  • Knee stiffness
  • Trouble bending and straightening the affected leg
  • Swelling, which may spread to other parts of the knee joint

In case of a severe blow to the knee, other ligaments may be affected in addition to the MCL. For instance, the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), located on the outside of the knee, may also be damaged. Further, it is possible to sustain a combination anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and MCL injury. If multiple ligaments are damaged, the patient will likely experience pain in various parts of the knee joint.

If You Suspect an MCL Tear, Seek Care from Dr. Soffer

“How can I tell if I tore my MCL?” Our orthopedic surgeon is frequently asked this question. As outlined above, there are certain signs and symptoms which can point to an MCL tear. Ultimately, however, only a skilled sports medicine doctor can accurately diagnose a torn MCL. After all, the symptoms of an MCL tear may overlap with those of other knee conditions and injuries.

If you or your child is experiencing persistent knee discomfort, it is important to promptly seek care from an orthopedic expert. For world-class care in the Reading, PA area, patients rely on Dr. Stephen Soffer.

Through the use of cutting-edge techniques, Dr. Soffer will identify the injury or condition which is causing your symptoms. Then, he will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment based on your individual circumstances. Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Soffer specializes in MCL repair surgery as well as nonsurgical treatment methods.

If you would like to set up an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you get on the road to recovery.

We Are Now Offering Telemedicine

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Given the Coronavirus Pandemic, there is a need for non-traditional patient-physician encounters. Therefore, Dr. Gill, Dr. Canner, Dr. Nord, and Dr. Soffer are now performing telemedicine in addition to seeing patients in the office.

Many patients desire a virtual encounter rather than an office visit during this time for obvious reasons. Our goal is, as always, to provide exceptional, cutting-edge and state-of-the-art orthopedic care to each patient so that they may return to an active, rewarding and pain-free life. Please call our office at 610-375-4949 for an office or telemedicine appointment. Hope all stay safe and healthy!

Who Is a Candidate for Reverse Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery?

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reverse shoulder joint replacement surgery

The shoulder is a complex joint consisting of a ball (the upper part of the arm bone) and a socket (the shoulder blade). Surrounding the shoulder joint is the rotator cuff, a group of tendons and muscles which help to stabilize the upper arm bone and facilitate shoulder motion. When any of these essential parts of the shoulder become damaged, discomfort and reduced range of motion may result. If shoulder symptoms are severe and other treatment options are not viable, reverse shoulder joint replacement surgery may be recommended.

Who Is a Candidate for Reverse Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery?

Reverse shoulder replacement is a revolutionary procedure in that it can help patients for whom other treatments have not offered adequate relief from their shoulder symptoms. By reversing the normal positioning of the ball and socket in the joint, this procedure can help to alleviate shoulder pain and increase range of motion.

Here are some of the factors which will influence whether a patient is a suitable candidate for this surgery:

  • Type & Severity of Shoulder Damage – There are a number of circumstances in which a patient may benefit from reverse shoulder replacement. This procedure may be suggested for individuals with severe arthritis (cuff tear arthropathy), irreparable damage to the rotator cuff, significant shoulder pain/immobilization or a previous failed shoulder replacement.
  • Age & Activity Level – Generally speaking, this shoulder surgery is more commonly recommended to older patients than younger ones. Since older individuals tend to be less active, they will have an easier time with recovery. Recovery is typically at least four months. Furthermore, an older patient will most likely put less strain on their operated shoulder than an active young person.

These are a few important considerations when deciding if reverse shoulder joint replacement surgery is a good option for you at this time. Ultimately, your orthopedic surgeon will need to examine your shoulder and ask you a series of questions in order to determine whether you are a candidate.

Depend on Dr. Soffer for Personalized, Experience-Backed Shoulder Care

If you are seeking quality care for lingering shoulder symptoms, Dr. Stephen Soffer is a choice you can rely on. Recognized as one of the top doctors in the U.S. in the field of orthopedic surgery and artificial joint replacement, Dr. Soffer possesses significant expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder conditions. Through state-of-the-art treatments such as reverse shoulder joint replacement surgery, he helps patients get lasting relief from shoulder pain.

Whether your shoulder issue necessitates surgery or can be treated with conservative methods, Dr. Soffer will focus on helping you get back to normal as quickly as possible. To arrange a consultation, please call our office at 610-375-4949.

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