When shoulder injuries occur, it is important to seek treatment quickly to prevent any additional damage to the area. Following treatment, your orthopedic doctor will recommend exercises and physical therapy to strengthen, stretch, stabilize, and mobilize the shoulder for effective rehabilitation. Because of the steps required for a quick and effective shoulder recovery, choosing an experienced orthopedic surgeon is important. Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group are specialized in ailments of the shoulder and will walk you through each stage of the rehabilitation process. Mt Joy residents should waste no time in making their first appointment.

Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in shoulder and elbow surgeries and orthopedic traumatology. He has completed extensive training both domestically and abroad, learning complex techniques for treating acute fractures and post-traumatic complications such as malunions, nonunions, infections, and arthritis.

When studying abroad, Dr. Bercik trained under Dr. Gilles Walch at the Centre Orthopédique Santy in France, who is largely considered to be one of the most influential shoulder surgeons in the world. Under his instruction, Dr. Bercik was able to learn state-of-the-art techniques to enhance recovery times for patients and improve the quality of results. By combining these techniques with skills learned in residency and fellowship training, Dr. Bercik is able to offer patients innovative solutions for complex conditions.

Does Rotator Cuff Surgery Always Work?

In most cases, rotator cuff surgery provides patients with long-lasting, painless results that restore full functionality of the shoulder. However, a small proportion of patients experience pain or shoulder stiffness after surgery. Symptoms such as these often resolve over time, but sometimes a second repair may be done to achieve optimal results.

These second repair surgeries, known as revision surgeries, can be performed if there is sufficient shoulder tissue remaining in the area. Sometimes, revision surgeries are also performed to remove scar tissue that is causing pain or discomfort after the initial surgery.

Repair surgeries are more suited to pain reduction than improving functionality. However, positive improvements in functionality have been seen for patients entering surgery with healthy deltoid muscles, healthy rotator cuff tissue, and a larger range of motion.

What Are Common Shoulder Surgery Complications?

While most surgeries are complication-free, a very small percentage of patients may experience mild to severe post-surgical complications. The rates of these complications occur in less than 1% of patients (for example, only 0.52% of shoulder surgery patients experience blood clots), and you should discuss any concerns with your medical provider.

Common complications are also different depending on the type of procedure. For different shoulder procedures, the most common complications of each are:

• Rotator cuff repair: Tendon doesn’t fully repair or heal. This occurs in less than 5% of patients and is more likely in older adults.
• Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization: Dislocation after surgery. This is most likely in younger athletes that play contact sports. This occurs in 5-20% of patients, and rates of this complication significantly increase if post-operative instructions are not followed.
• Latarjet Procedure: Dislocation after surgery. This occurs in 2-5% of patients.
• Shoulder replacement: Loosening in the shoulder—may need revision surgery. This occurs in less than 5% of patients over an 8 year period.

Why Choose Us?

Complications after shoulder surgeries are rare, but a skilled shoulder doctor can further decrease this risk. When trusting someone with your care, it is important to choose a specialist who understands the common complications and employs advanced techniques to reduce the risk. Dr. Michael Bercik specializes in conditions of the shoulder and employs expert skills to improve patient outcomes. If you live or work in Mt Joy, PA, and are ready to get started, contact us by scheduling your first appointment using the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or calling (866) 564-1000.