If you are a Berks County resident who has experienced an acute injury or chronic pain in your tendons, muscles or joints, you are not alone. Over 28 million Americans suffer from musculoskeletal disorders each year, and many of them visit their doctors to find out if orthopedic surgery can help.

Orthopedic Surgery in Berks CountyDr. Stephen R. Soffer, in Wyomissing, is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained by the renowned sports surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. He is a leading expert in arthroscopy and specializes in the treatment of sports-related injuries, as well as the open and arthroscopic treatment of knee, shoulder and elbow injuries. He also performs artificial joint replacement for arthritis of the knee, shoulder and hip.

Dr. Soffer has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s Top Doctor listing for the last 5 years because of his orthopedic expertise. The listing features some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country and is based on peer nomination, extensive research, and a comprehensive screening process.

Finding a good orthopedic surgeon is crucial when you’re faced with the prospect of constant pain or loss of mobility.  When you can no longer get relief from medication and/or physical therapy, it may be time to contact Dr. Soffer for a consultation.

Common Orthopedic Surgery Procedures

Considering the fact that the human body consists of over 200 bones and at least 600 muscles, there are many treatments and surgical procedures related to the musculoskeletal system, but these are some of the most common:

Arthroscopic surgery – Orthopedic surgeons use a tube-like viewing instrument called an arthroscope to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside joints. Arthroscopy can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of many types of arthritis as well as cartilage tears, ligament strains and tears and other injuries. The procedure is commonly used to evaluate knees and shoulders, but can also be used to examine and treat conditions of the hips, wrist, ankles, feet, spine, and elbows.

Total knee replacement – This surgical procedure replaces a diseased knee joint with artificial material. It may be an excellent option for patients whose knee joints have been damaged by osteoarthritis, trauma, or other rare destructive diseases of the joint. Your orthopedic doctor will help you understand the risks and the benefits of total knee replacement.

Total shoulder replacement – This procedure can improve range of motion and restoring comfort to a shoulder joint that has grown dysfunctional due most often to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components.

Total hip replacement – Much like the replacement of the knee and shoulder above, the procedure involves the removal of the arthritic ball and joint and replacing it with a new ball and socket. It is most commonly done for patients with degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). There are several implant options including the type of artificial material, and how the implant is designed to work.

ACL reconstruction – ACL stands for the anterior cruciate ligament, which is the major stabilizing ligament of the knee. A tear of this ligament can cause your knee to give way during physical activity. Most injuries to the ACL occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, football and volleyball. ACL reconstruction surgery uses a tendon graft to replace the ligament.

Rotator cuff repair – The rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder joint, and tears can result in significant shoulder pain and limited arm motion. Surgical repairs most often involve reattaching the tendon to the head of humerus (upper arm bone). A partial tear, however, may only need to be trimmed or smoothed. During an arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff tendon, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera and tools through small incisions in the shoulder.

For cutting-edge orthopedic surgery in Wyomissing, Reading and throughout Berks County, get in touch with our office at 610-375-4949 for a consultation with Dr. Soffer.


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