Orthopedic shoulder surgery shouldn’t be scary, and working with an experienced shoulder specialist can help ensure you feel comfortable and confident at each stage of the process. Residents of Wernersville, PA, looking for an expert orthopedic shoulder surgeon should schedule their first appointment with Dr. Michael Bercik at our Lancaster Orthopedic Group Ephrata location.

Dr. Michael Bercik received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School following his graduation Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University. He completed his orthopedic residency at the Rothman Institute in Philadephia, PA. He was honored with the annual Orthopaedic In-training Examination award to achieve the highest score in his residency. He later returned to New Jersey to complete his fellowship in Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery before completing two international fellowships to learn advanced techniques to treat the shoulder and elbow conditions.

Outside of his fellowship and practical experience, Dr. Bercik is dedicated to pushing forward the field of orthopedic shoulder care. He has published several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and continues to engage in academic pursuits. When you trust Dr. Bercik with your care, you are trusting someone dedicated to your success, the utilization of the latest science, and continuing to improve outcomes for each of his patients.

When Should You Seek Shoulder Treatment?

Having shoulder surgery can seem overwhelming and scary, but there is nothing to worry about. When you come in for a visit, your orthopedic surgeon will guide you through the process. While you should follow your intuition of when to seek care, we’ve put together a general guideline for when to seek medical treatment so you can feel confident going into the process with the necessary information.

Signs to Look For

Shoulder injuries most commonly result from ligament, tendon, or muscle issues. Generally, they result from repetitive shoulder use and ignoring early warning signs. Because of how often the shoulder is used in daily life, overuse injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain.

When you start feeling pain in the shoulder, here is what you should look for and what it means:

• Shoulder pain with difficulty breathing or pain in the chest: Seek medical attention immediately.
• Immediate, intense pain, swelling, deformity, or inability to use the joint: Seek medical attention immediately.
• Gradual swelling, moderate pain, or warmth around the joint: Ice at home, take pain relievers and schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as you are able.
• Minor pain: Rest the shoulder, ice the area, and take anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. If pain persists after rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication, schedule a doctor’s appointment to check out the area.

When you visit an orthopedic doctor, they will categorize your injury as one from overuse, traumatic causes, or other. This will inform the treatment type and timeline to ensure you are on the best path to recovery.

Ready to Begin?

We are ready when you are! The earlier you receive treatment, the easier your recovery will be when it comes to shoulder pain. To get started today with Dr. Bercik, Wernersville, PA, residents should schedule an appointment with Lancaster Orthopedic Group. This can be done by using the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or calling (866) 564-1000.