Residents of Ephrata, PA, looking for an experienced orthopedic shoulder specialist near them should look no further than Dr. Michael J Bercik at Lancaster Orthopedics. Dr. Bercik has been helping Pennsylvania residents heal from a broad range of shoulder conditions for many years, and we are confident we can help you reach your goals.

Dr. Bercik completed his medical degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School before moving abroad to complete two international fellowships. The goals of these fellowships were to expand his skill set to offer patients here in Pennsylvania the best treatment methods available, including state-of-the-art techniques. For these fellowships, Dr. Bercik studied under Dr. Gilles Walch at the world-renowned Centre Orthopédique Santy in France, as well as with Professor Simon Bell at the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University.

Because of these fellowships, Dr. Bercik can approach ailments of the shoulder in creative ways that go beyond traditional orthopedic care. This allows treatment methods to be further specialized to the patient’s exact condition and further promotes quick healing and reduction of symptoms.

When Should You Consult a Shoulder Surgeon?

Any type of shoulder pain you experience for more than a couple of days should be looked at by an experienced orthopedic shoulder specialist. Common feelings requiring the care of a shoulder doctor include:

• Difficulty moving the arm or shoulder
• Weakness of the shoulder
• Shoulder numbness
• Shoulder aching
• Shoulder instability
• Popping or grinding
• Trouble sleeping
• Shoulder pain
• Clavicle pain
• Shoulder bump

When you feel a certain sensation in your shoulder, it can be difficult to tell what is going on. While a shoulder doctor will be able to competently diagnose and treat your injury or condition, common sensations and their associated injuries are as followed:

Popping in the Shoulder

Popping in the shoulder is often correlated with severe pain and shoulder weakness. This is generally due to a rotator cuff tear or an AC joint separation, and it is important to seek help from a medical professional as quickly as possible.

Shoulder Weakness

Rotator cuff tears or ruptures are the most common cause of sudden shoulder weakness. This is typically due to a sudden force on the area, such as a collision in sports or an automobile accident. The weakness will be evident when trying to lift your arm.

Shoulder Instability

Shoulder instability often results from shoulder dislocations. The shoulder may immediately slide back into place or may stay dislocated. When this happens, the surrounding soft tissues are weakened. It is important to speak with your shoulder doctor about how to best prevent subsequent dislocations.

Painful Clavicle

A painful clavicle can mean a clavicle fracture, and there may be a bump and severe pain in the area. This is likely due to a sudden fall on the shoulder which can put force on the clavicle and lead to a fracture in the area. A doctor can stabilize the area and ensure the clavicle and shoulder heal correctly.

Shoulder Bump

This likely indicates an AC joint separation and leads to a bump on the top of the shoulder. This will come with severe pain. Most AC joint separations do not require surgery, but an orthopedic specialist can assess the condition and determine the severity of the separation and necessary treatment.

Ready to Go?

If you live or work in Ephrata, PA, contact our team at Lancaster Orthopedics to make your first appointment with an orthopedic shoulder specialist. Click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website to schedule an appointment or call (866) 564-1000. We look forward to working with you!