Are you experiencing shoulder pain and unsure how to take your next step? Shoulder specialists, such as Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group, are here to help you understand your injury and how to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals. For residents of Shillington, PA, look no further than Dr. Michael Bercik at Lancaster Orthopedic Group to get started.

Dr. Michael Bercik is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in elbow surgery, shoulder surgery, orthopedic traumatology, and fracture care. Following his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Bercik completed his residency and three fellowships to advance his subspecialty knowledge and offer his patients innovative care techniques. During his Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Bercik learned advanced techniques to treat post-traumatic complications and acute fractures such as nonunions, malunions, infections, and arthritis. 

Following this fellowship, Dr. Bercik studied abroad under two of the most influential shoulder surgeons of their time. These fellowships took place at the Centre Orthopédique Santy in France and Melbourne Shoulder and Elbow Centre and Monash University under Dr. Gilles Walch and Professor Simon Bell, respectively. By dedicating his studies to learning international techniques and advanced methods, Dr. Bercik has been able to offer his patients solutions that are unique combinations of advanced skills that produce outstanding results. 

Which shoulder injuries are most common for volleyball players?

Volleyball is a sport many people enjoy in both casual and competitive settings. Whether you are playing with a few friends on the beach or on your school’s varsity team, several common injuries can set you back. Understanding common injuries can help you take preventative measures, look out for early symptoms, and make the most of your volleyball experience. 

Because volleyball typically involves overhead movements such as serving, setting, spiking, and blocking, injuries often stem from these movements. If you hit a ball with a high amount of force, it is possible to have a traumatic injury to the shoulder. These injuries typically include dislocations, subluxations, separations, and rotator cuff tears. 

Cumulative injuries, on the other hand, result over time. These injuries are from continual overloading of the soft tissues in the shoulder and may show early symptoms such as soreness and pain. The most common cumulative injuries include shoulder impingement syndrome, shoulder bursitis, and rotator cuff tendonitis. To help avoid these injuries, be sure to warm up properly and stretch the shoulder before playing.

If you have suffered from a cumulative or acute shoulder injury, the best thing you can do is rest the area. Depending on the severity of the injury, icing, medication, and stretching may help to alleviate symptoms. If your pain and symptoms persist, scheduling an appointment with a shoulder specialist can help to rule out any complications and ensure you are taking appropriate steps toward healing. A shoulder specialist may take images of the area and will perform a physical assessment to understand your condition. Following this, you will be prescribed a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. 

Ready to begin?

Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group are here to help Shillington, PA, residents restore their movements and minimize pain. To get started today with your first shoulder specialist appointment, use the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.