Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic shoulder surgeon near Mountville, PA. To schedule your first appointment, contact Lancaster Orthopedic Group today.

As the son of an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bercik has a special connection with his practice. He has learned under some of the greatest minds in the field, continually seeking learning opportunities that build and develop his skill set. After his orthopedic surgery residency, Dr. Bercik completed a fellowship in traumatology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. In this fellowship, Dr. Bercik mastered advanced techniques needed to treat complications such as nonunions, malunions, infections, and arthritis. He then completed two international fellowships, one of which was at the Centre Orthopédique Santy in France and the other was at the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University. In these fellowships, Dr. Bercik worked with leaders in the field to learn complex and advanced techniques. Because of this, Dr. Bercik is able to combine modern knowledge with traditional methods to develop creative solutions to treat complicated conditions. 

Not only is Dr. Bercik a lifelong learner, but he is committed to pushing forward the field of orthopedics. He is active in research and education and has been published in several peer-reviewed publications. At Lancaster Orthopedic Group, we are committed to ensuring our patients receive the very best.

Orthopedic shoulder surgery recovery: Early stages 

Depending on the severity of your shoulder surgery, recovery can vary greatly. Factors such as age, general health, genetics, condition, and lifestyle can all be important factors in recovery time. The type of surgery also affects recovery time. Arthroscopic surgeries generally have shorter recovery times than open procedures. However, with most patients, recovery time ranges from 3 to 6 months. 

The first two phases you will experience immediately after surgery are as follows:

Phase 1: Immediately after surgery

The time period immediately after surgery is a critical time for most patients. During this time, your orthopedic shoulder surgeon will work closely with you to monitor your surgical incisions, pain levels, and movement ability. Most patients are able to go home on the same day as surgery but will have a follow-up appointment soon after. Patients are also usually given at-home care instructions and signs to monitor that may indicate any complications.

Patients will focus on reducing swelling, pain, and setting themselves up for a faster recovery time during this period. Cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medication are common during this stage.

Phase 2: Immobilization 

During the 6-8 weeks following surgery, it is likely that your shoulder will be immobilized. This is usually done by wearing a sling and preventing movement that may extend recovery time. Depending on your injury, your doctor may advise gentle physical therapy sessions or stretches during this period in which the sling is removed. This is done to keep muscles and ligaments flexible during recovery and prevent any scar tissue or stiffness from building. However, this will vary depending on the individual.

Ready to begin?

Dr. Michael Bercik is an experienced orthopedic shoulder surgeon who has helped hundreds of patients recover from complex injuries and return to the activities you love. Mountville, PA, residents can find convenient access to high quality care at Lancaster Orthopedic Group. To schedule your first appointment, click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.