Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

Blog

Fractured Finger Symptoms: How Do You Know When You Have a Fracture?

by Leave a Comment

Among individuals of varying ages and activity levels, finger fractures are one of the most common orthopedic injuries. When one or more bones in the finger joint break or crack, it is considered to be a fracture. While a broken finger is typically the result of acute trauma, weak or brittle bones may also set the stage for a fracture to occur. When experiencing finger discomfort, patients often wonder: How do I know if I’ve fractured my finger? Let’s review fractured finger symptoms and signs which may indicate you should seek medical attention for a finger injury.

Fractured Finger Symptoms: How Do You Know When You Have a Fracture?

Finger fractures often result from a fall, a blow to the hand or an accident such as getting a finger caught in a door. No matter what causes a broken finger, fractured finger symptoms will most likely include some or all of the following:

  • A popping or snapping noise at the time of injury
  • Rapidly developing pain, swelling and/or bruising
  • Pain & tenderness which are amplified when the area is touched
  • Inability to bend the finger
  • A change in finger shape
  • Abnormal numbness, coldness or paleness in part of the finger

If you are experiencing broken finger symptoms, it is advisable to see a sports medicine physician promptly.

How Is a Broken Finger Treated?

In order to facilitate proper healing, your doctor may need to put a splint on your fractured finger – or straighten it if the broken bone is crooked. If your fracture is accompanied by an open wound, additional treatment may be required to manage bleeding and prevent the wound from getting infected. In some cases, surgery may be needed to reposition broken finger bones and resolve symptoms.

Ultimately, the right course of treatment will depend on the severity and location of the fracture. Your provider can diagnose these using advanced imaging technologies such as X-ray or MRI. With professional treatment, finger fractures generally heal within 3-5 weeks, although recovery time may be longer for patients who undergo surgery.

Berks County Trusts Dr. Soffer for World-Class Orthopedic Care

Whether you’re a young athlete or an active senior, you’ll want to seek treatment from a skilled, compassionate sports medicine physician to ensure you receive the very best care & get the best treatment outcome. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Soffer specializes in both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for orthopedic injuries of all kinds, including finger fractures.

Drawing on years of experience and utilizing cutting-edge therapies, Dr. Soffer will help you heal so you can resume your normal lifestyle. To request an appointment, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Top Orthopedic Surgeon 2020

by Leave a Comment

We are proud to announce that Dr. Soffer has been chosen as a Top Orthopedic Surgeon 2020 by Pennsylvania Magazine! This honor recognizes Dr. Soffer’s expertise and dedication to improving the mobility and quality of life in his patients. Congratulations Dr. Soffer!

How Do I Know If I Tore My ACL? Typical Signs & Symptoms

by Leave a Comment

how do i know if i tore my acl

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. Responsible for controlling forward movement and rotation of the shin bone (tibia), the ACL is located in the center of the knee. When this crucial ligament is torn or sprained during activity, it can compromise the functionality of the entire knee joint. “How do I know if I tore my ACL?” is a common question among patients experiencing knee discomfort after physical activity. Let’s review symptoms which may indicate an ACL injury.

How Do I Know If I Tore My ACL?

Typically, ACL tears and sprains happen during activities which involve abrupt changes in direction, sudden stops, pivoting and/or jumping and landing. Football, basketball, soccer, downhill skiing and gymnastics are a few common sports which fall under this category.

So, how do I know if I tore my ACL? Here are the signs and symptoms which generally accompany an ACL injury:

  • A popping sensation in the knee, sometimes with a loud popping sound at the time of injury
  • Severe pain & swelling
  • Difficulty walking
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Knee instability (inability to bear weight)

If you are experiencing knee symptoms which interfere with your daily activities, it is important to seek prompt treatment from a sports medicine physician. This medical professional can diagnose your knee issue and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.

Depending on the severity of the injury and individual factors such as your age and activity level, nonsurgical therapies may be sufficient to resolve a torn ACL. However, ACL reconstruction surgery may be beneficial if you are a young, active individual wishing to return to athletic activities after healing, plus reduce your risk of reinjury and other complications.

Visit Dr. Soffer for Expert, Patient-Centered Orthopedic Care

Hopefully, this article has given you a clear answer to “how do I know if I tore my ACL?” If you are concerned that you may have sustained an ACL tear or another type of orthopedic injury, you can depend on Dr. Stephen Soffer to provide skillful, individualized care.

Whether your injury necessitates surgery or it can be effectively managed with first-line treatments, Dr. Soffer will help you heal using cutting-edge therapies. Prioritizing minimally invasive approaches whenever possible, he is committed to helping patients make a full recovery and resume a fulfilling lifestyle. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Rotator Cuff Surgery: What to Expect During and After the Procedure

by Leave a Comment

rotator cuff surgery what to expect

Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common causes of shoulder discomfort. While many rotator cuff tears respond well to conservative therapies, surgery may be needed to fully resolve symptoms and restore shoulder function in some cases. Patients considering surgical rotator cuff repair should be well informed about what the procedure and its recovery process entail. Read on for a detailed overview of rotator cuff surgery: what to expect if your orthopedic physician determines that you are a good candidate and you elect to have the procedure.

Rotator Cuff Surgery: What to Expect During and After the Procedure

  • The day of surgery – The surgeon will provide preoperative instructions to prepare for rotator cuff surgery. The procedure is typically done under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting. It may take up to a few hours, depending on the severity of the tear and the extent of repair work needed. Once the surgery is complete, the operated arm is placed into a sling, and the patient is moved to a postoperative recovery room. Generally, patients are able to return home the same day.
  • The days after surgery – In the days following rotator cuff surgery, it is normal to experience pain and swelling in the shoulder region. Pain relievers, intermittent icing and resting with the arm in an elevated position can help ease any discomfort.
  • The weeks after surgery – To avoid buildup of scar tissue and inflammation, use of the operated arm should be limited for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Generally speaking, patients are able to remove their sling and begin physical therapy around this time. Performing physical therapy exercises as instructed is crucial to regain shoulder strength & mobility and prevent reinjury.
  • The months after surgery – While every patient’s rehabilitation timeline will be slightly different, most recover within 4-6 months. Ultimately, the severity of the patient’s injury and their body’s natural healing rate will dictate how long it takes to return to normal activities after surgical rotator cuff repair.

For patients deciding whether to undergo rotator cuff surgery, what to expect during and after the procedure is pertinent information. Knowing what to anticipate will help you make an educated choice and set you up for a successful recovery.

Find the Right Shoulder Treatment for You with Dr. Soffer

A rotator cuff injury can greatly impact a patient in their day-to-day life. If you suspect that you may have a torn rotator cuff, it is vital to seek prompt treatment in order to avoid worsening injury. Patients in the Reading, PA area count on Dr. Stephen Soffer for world-class shoulder care with a personalized approach.

Specializing in minimally invasive arthroscopic rotator cuff repair as well as nonsurgical treatment methods, Dr. Soffer will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment for your unique case. To request an appointment with him, contact our office at 610-375-4949. We look forward to helping you resolve your shoulder issue so that you can get back to doing what you love.

Ankle Fracture Treatment: What to Expect

by Leave a Comment

ankle fracture treatment

When one or more bones in the ankle joint break, it is known as an ankle fracture. Symptoms of a fractured ankle may include severe pain, tenderness, bruising, swelling and difficulty moving or bearing weight on the affected ankle. If you believe you may have broken your ankle, you should seek ankle fracture treatment from a skilled orthopedic doctor as soon as possible.

Ankle Fracture Treatment: What to Expect

In order to diagnose an ankle injury, an orthopedic physician will generally start by performing a physical examination. They may also use advanced imaging techniques such as an X-ray, an MRI scan or a CT scan to get a more detailed view of the injured joint.

Depending on the location, type and severity of the fracture, the right course of treatment for a broken ankle will vary. Ankle fracture treatment methods may include:

  • Icing the affected ankle to decrease swelling and discomfort
  • Wearing a cast, splint or walking boot to stabilize the ankle bone while it heals
  • Using crutches to keep weight off of the injured ankle
  • Undergoing ankle surgery to realign the broken bone(s) and facilitate proper healing (used only for severe fractures)

How Long Is Recovery for a Fractured Ankle?

For more minor ankle fractures that can be treated without surgery, the typical recovery timeline is somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks. If a broken ankle is severe and requires surgery, however, it may take 12 weeks or longer to heal completely. Aside from the specifics of the injury, several other factors will also play a role in determining how long recovery takes. These include the patient’s age and overall health status.

Regardless of which ankle fracture treatment methods are prescribed, it is important to visit your orthopedic doctor for regular checkups throughout the recovery process to ensure your ankle is healing correctly. Furthermore, you should get approval from your physician before returning to your normal activities.

Visit Dr. Soffer for Expert Ankle Care & Rehabilitation

If you are experiencing pain and other symptoms of a broken ankle, it is advisable to see a qualified orthopedic doctor right away. As a highly ranked orthopedic specialist, Dr. Stephen Soffer offers the full spectrum of treatments for ankle fractures, including cutting-edge nonsurgical and surgical options.

Whether your ankle injury is mild or severe, you can depend on Dr. Soffer to carefully diagnose it and provide effective, individualized treatment. To request an appointment with our foot and ankle specialist, call our 24-hour sports injury hotline at 610-375-4949.

Schedule An Appointment With Us ›