Do you have pain in your muscles, tendons or joints? Don’t let a chronic problem stop you from participating in the activities you love. Orthopedic surgery, a less invasive treatment or physical therapy in Reading, PA may be the solution.
Orthopedic surgery is a branch of surgery that deals with injuries and diseases of your body’s musculoskeletal system in an effort to alleviate your pain or restore your mobility after an injury or accident.
Musculoskeletal disorders affect nearly 30 million Americans each year. They include problems such as knee, shoulder and back pain, joint injuries, bursitis, tendinitis, and injuries caused by overuse. They can cause temporary or even permanent disability, leaving some people unable to get around easily.
Orthopedic surgeons, such as Dr. Stephen Soffer, specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. They handle everything from minor issues (e.g., sprained ankles) to broken bones to joint conditions (e.g., arthritis) to complex surgeries (e.g., hip replacement). Many orthopedic doctors focus their practices on specific areas, such as hand, shoulder, knee and spine injuries and conditions.
About Dr. Stephen R, Soffer
Dr. Soffer practices orthopedic surgery at Berkshire Orthopedics, a division of Keystone Orthopedics, in Wyomissing. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and performed his orthopedic residency at Union Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is fellowship trained by the renowned sports surgeon, Dr. James Andrews.
Dr. Soffer specializes in arthroscopy and the treatment of many 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.
In addition to his medical practice, he lectures locally, nationally and internationally, has published journal articles on many topics, including ACL Reconstruction, Knee Arthroscopy, and Shoulder Surgery, and has worked as team physician for sports teams involving professional, college, high school and youth athletes. He is currently team physician for Reading United Soccer Team (Philadelphia Union), Albright College and Governor Mifflin High School.
When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon
If you have any type of pain in your hands, elbows, shoulder, hips, knees, or back, you should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon. Symptoms to look for include:
– Instability, such as when standing or walking
– Pain in muscles, tendons or joints that won’t let up
– Pain so severe that it wakes you at night or keeps you awake
– Difficulty performing ordinary tasks, like climbing stairs or rising from a chair
– Limited range of motion, such as the inability to straighten your back
– Swelling or bruising around the joint or injury
– Any signs of infection, such as inflammation, redness or fever
– An untreated or changing joint deformity
– An untreated or changing degenerative disease such as arthritis or osteoporosis
As a general rule of thumb, consult your orthopedic doctor at the first sign that you are having trouble using any part of your musculoskeletal system or, of course, following an injury. The sooner you get advice about an orthopedic issue, the sooner you can have the problem treated before it gets worse.
For most doctors, orthopedic surgery is a last resort for musculoskeletal issues. They will do everything possible to delay surgery in favor of minimally invasive treatments. To reach us in Reading, PA, call 610-375-4949 to find out about your treatment options.
