Orthopedic elbow doctors have years of specialty training specifically treating conditions of the shoulders and elbows. At Lancaster Orthopedic Group, Dr. Michael Bercik is a specialized orthopedic elbow doctor dedicated to helping residents of Lancaster, PA, look, move, and feel their best.

Orthopedic Elbow Doctor LancasterDr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with years of experience helping patients achieve outstanding results with minimal recovery time. Following completing his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Bercik completed his residency at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Bercik’s passion for patient success and academic prowess began to shine through, and he was awarded both the Mark D Chilton award for outstanding patient care and the Orthopedic In-training Examination award for scoring the highest in his residency program. He continued to hone in on his advanced skills through completing orthopedic fellowships, including a trauma-focused fellowship to learn advanced techniques to treat nonunions, malunion, infections, arthritis, and other post-traumatic complications.

In addition to practical experience, Dr. Bercik has remained active in academic research and education. He has published several journal articles and book chapters, and he is dedicated to continuing to find new techniques to bring amazing results to his patients.

Surgery for Elbow Arthritis

When the cartilage in the elbow joint wears down or becomes damaged, the bones in the elbow can begin to rub together. This can cause pain, inflammation, and loose bone fragments to occur within the elbow. When this is the case, surgery can be needed to remove bone fragments, damaged tissue, and repair issues in the joint. In severe cases, elbow joint replacement might be needed to further eliminate symptoms.

Elbow Rheumatoid Arthritis

One of the most common types of elbow arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis is different from typical types of arthritis: instead of gradual degradation, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder that leads the body to attack its own tissue, such as soft tissues that typically cushion the joint.  This can lead to painful swelling and irritation in the joint, as well as bone degradation and abnormalities.

Because it is an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis often affects multiple joints and systems in the body at once. Early treatment and medication are recommended to reduce the spread of RA and potential associated symptoms.

Nonsurgical treatments like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy are often recommended to help treat RA of the elbow. If these treatments are not sufficient to reduce symptoms, surgical intervention can decrease pain and increase positive outcomes. In some cases, it restores full movement of the joints previously affected by RA.

Surgical options will vary depending on the severity of your condition and the recommendations by your orthopedic surgeon. Typically, potential options include:

Synovectomy: Removal of the inflamed synovium or joint lining

Joint fusion: Often an alternative to joint replacement, this surgery can help stabilize the joint.

Tendon repair: For conditions involving loose tendons, tendon repair can help increase stability.

Total joint replacement: For severe cases, replacing the affected joint with artificial components can help bring relief.

Let’s Begin!

An experienced orthopedic elbow doctor, such as Dr. Michael Bercik, can accurately diagnose your condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan to meet your goals. For residents of Lancaster, PA, schedule your first appointment by clicking the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or calling (866) 564-1000.