If you live or work in Lebanon, PA, Dr. Michael J Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group provide access to the best shoulder care in the state. Those looking for a shoulder doctor can trust their care to experts in the field that employ state-of-the-art methods using high-level techniques. Contact our Mt. Joy location to book an appointment today.

Shoulder Doctor Lebanon, PADr. Michael Bercik was awarded the Mark D Chilton award for outstanding patient care, demonstrating his commitment to serving his patients with compassion, dedication, and respect. We ensure that every patient feels informed and confident at every stage of the process. Dr. Bercik was also recognized for his academic prowess through the Orthopaedic In-training Examination award, awarded to the resident who scored the highest throughout the residency.

Dr. Bercik can look beyond traditional orthopedic treatment options and develop solutions that address the heart of the problem in ways that minimize recovery time and maximize results. He studied under world-renowned surgeons Dr. Gilles Walch and Professor Simon Bell, bringing a broad range of experience and techniques to his patients in the United States. He completed fellowships in New Jersey, France, and Australia to learn the latest evidence-based methods in shoulder care. 

Most Common Golf Shoulder Injuries

Golf is often considered a low-to-moderate risk activity, but many people overlook the potential for shoulder injuries in this sport. Poor technique, overuse, and aging can all contribute to shoulder pain and tears. When looking closely at the golf swing, it requires coordination of muscles in the shoulder, back, hips, arms, core, and legs to generate high-speed and precise hits (sometimes over 100mph!). If there is an imbalance of strength or poor technique, the shoulder can often take the brunt of the load and become damaged by high-stress levels. 

For golfers, the most at-risk shoulder is the lead shoulder. This means that the left shoulder is most vulnerable for “righty” golfers and vice versa. The most common shoulder injuries in golf include:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Bicep tendon injuries (usually to the long head)
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder joint instability

Because of the nature of golf injuries, it is more common to rehabilitate shoulder injuries through non-surgical methods. This is because tears are often caught early and are smaller than tears from other sports with high levels of physical impact. To treat shoulder injuries, we recommend strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, stabilizing exercises, implementing a pre-game warm-up routine, and ensuring the golf swing has proper technique. A skilled shoulder doctor will walk through all of these recommendations with you and ensure you are on the best road to recovery.

If pain persists, we often recommend scaling back to only practicing swings for a few days per week to offer the shoulder rest while still maintaining skill. After 3-4 weeks, patients can often go back to complete a full round of golf with minimal discomfort.

How Do You Get Started?

If you live or work in Lebanon, PA, and feel you need a skilled shoulder doctor, Dr. Michael J Bercik and our expert team at Lancaster Orthopedics can help. We employ the latest evidence-based methods with state-of-the-art equipment so you can feel confident you are receiving the best treatment available. To get started, contact us today.