Whether you deal with chronic shoulder separation or have recently experienced your first event, finding treatment from an experienced orthopedic surgeon can be the difference between an effective recovery and lifelong discomfort. For residents of Lancaster, PA, Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group can help you improve your symptoms and get back to the activities you love..

Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is passionate about helping patients with ailments of the shoulders and elbows achieve their best results. As the son of an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bercik found his passion early in life and has spent years developing the tricks of the trade. Outside of his successful academic career, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University and scoring highest in his post-medical school residency program, Dr. Bercik has pursued numerous experiences designed to help him master advanced techniques to perform complicated surgeries. Through experiences in France and Australia, Dr. Bercik has studied under some of the most influential shoulder surgeons in the world, including Dr. Gilles Walch at the Centre Orthopédique Santy and Professor Simon Bell at the Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University.

In addition to his practical experience, Dr. Bercik has demonstrated his empathetic bedside manner with patients, garnering recognition of this quality through the Mark D Chilton award for outstanding patient care. When you trust Dr. Michael Bercik with your care, you are in the hands of an experienced professional who is truly dedicated to helping you achieve your best results.

How are shoulder separations treated?

Shoulder separations are often identified through deformity of the shoulder. However, if a shoulder separation is suspected but there is no deformity present, X-rays are often taken to identify the cause of pain and discomfort. Patients are sometimes asked to hold a weight during X-rays to make potential shoulder separations more apparent.

Treatment for shoulder separations

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Medication, ice therapy, and slings are often recommended for patients who have experienced a shoulder separation as the first line of treatment. Patients are generally able to recover from shoulder separations through nonsurgical treatment methods, even in the case of professional athletes and extremely active patients. However, injury to the cartilage, arthritis, and abnormal bone contact can exasperate symptoms and increase recovery time. Recent research has indicated that nonsurgical treatment options may lead to better recovery than surgical methods, but individual results will vary and an experienced orthopedic surgeon can ensure you have the right treatment plan for you.

Surgical Treatment Options

If nonsurgical methods are proving ineffective for your symptoms or in case of severe deformity, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery. Surgery may be used to trim the collarbone to prevent rubbing with the shoulder blade, reconstructing ligaments, or otherwise reducing deformity within the shoulder. These procedures may be performed arthroscopically or with open surgery. Plates are often used to assist in surgery and are typically removed once the shoulder is healed.

Ready to Begin?

If you have experienced a shoulder separation, seeking treatment quickly after your injury can help to improve results and speed recovery time. Dr. Bercik has years of experience helping patients recover from this type of injury and can guide your through your recovery journey. For Lancaster, PA residents, schedule your first appointment by using the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.