EXPERT
Dr. William Stetson, MD
Orthopedist
Dr. Stetson attended the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship where he was a two-time NCAA All-American in volleyball, a member of the NCAA National Championship Volleyball Team in 1980, captain of the 1982 team, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He was a five-time Gold Medalist with the US Open National Volleyball Championship Team Nike and played professionally in the United States and Germany. He attended the USC Keck School of Medicine and completed his Residency at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He completed his Fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, is Board Certified, and has been in private practice since 1995.
35 years
Experience
Dr. William Stetson, MD
- Burbank, CA
- USC Keck School of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
Rotator Cuff Injuries and How To Treat Them
Dr. Stetson explains a Rotator Cuff Repair on “The Doctors” TV show. Click here to watch the video. What is the Rotator Cuff? The rotator cuff comprises four separate muscles...
SLAP (Superior Labral Anterior to Posterior) Tears of the Shoulder
What is a SLAP tear? The term SLAP tear refers to a tear of the superior labrum of the shoulder. The labrum is a piece of fibrous tissue made of cartilage, called fibrocartilage,...
Surgical question (distal bicep tendon)?
The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to repair surgically. If you do not get it repaired, you will most likely lose some strength in your forearm and hand including with READ MORE
The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to repair surgically. If you do not get it repaired, you will most likely lose some strength in your forearm and hand including with rotation of the forearm.
Fractured wrist
You should still go in for an evaluation. X-rays are sometimes necessary to determine if there is a fracture and if that is done, they will place a lead shield over your belly READ MORE
You should still go in for an evaluation. X-rays are sometimes necessary to determine if there is a fracture and if that is done, they will place a lead shield over your belly to protect your baby from radiation.
Should I get it checked out
I am sorry to hear about your fingers, you need to go in right away to get an x-ray to make sure there are no fractures.
Should a broken arm be on a cast?
Fractures of the arm bone or humerus can be treated in different ways depending on where the arm is broken. For humerus fractures in the mid-portion or what we call the diaphysis READ MORE
Fractures of the arm bone or humerus can be treated in different ways depending on where the arm is broken. For humerus fractures in the mid-portion or what we call the diaphysis of the humerus bone, they are typically NOT treated in a cast, but rather with what is called a fracture brace. This brace gives compression of the arm and then with movement of the elbow, flexion and extension, the fracture will start to realign and heal. The majority of the time these fractures heal without surgery. Even if the bone heals a little crooked, you won't even notice it and you should regain full motion and strength of that arm!
Hope this helps!
Dr. Stetson
Hope this helps!
Dr. Stetson
How do you strengthen your elbow ligaments?
You really cannot strengthen your ligaments of your elbow but what you can do is to strengthen the muscles that surround the elbow and this will help protect the ligaments surrounding READ MORE
You really cannot strengthen your ligaments of your elbow but what you can do is to strengthen the muscles that surround the elbow and this will help protect the ligaments surrounding the elbow.
What is the best exercise if you have bad knees?
If you have "bad knees", you should avoid any impact activities and stick to non-impact like a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer or swimming for aerobic activity. However, READ MORE
If you have "bad knees", you should avoid any impact activities and stick to non-impact like a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer or swimming for aerobic activity. However, it has been my experience that people with "bad knees" often have other reasons for their knee pain. I would strongly recommend seeing an orthopaedic surgeon for a full evaluation before starting on any exercise regimen.
Will a heating pad help tennis elbow?
Good question! A rule of thumb: "Warm-up and then cool down." Warm or heat on the elbow or any body part is just fine to get it going before you use it. This dilates the blood READ MORE
Good question! A rule of thumb: "Warm-up and then cool down." Warm or heat on the elbow or any body part is just fine to get it going before you use it. This dilates the blood vessels and gets blood to the sight allowing you to start using it. After using it, working out or after a long day of use, cool it down or ice it. For tennis elbow, a heating pad (not too hot) for 10 minutes is fine and then for icing, take small paper cup (Dixie cup), fill it with water, put it in the freezer. When frozen, take it out and peel back the edges and do an ice massage on the sore part of the elbow for 10 minutes, that is the best way to ice for tennis elbow. Hope this helps!
Does tennis elbow require surgery?
If treated properly, over 80% of the time tennis elbow gets better without surgery but in stubborn cases, it can take 6-8 months. Proper treatment includes rest, physical therapy, READ MORE
If treated properly, over 80% of the time tennis elbow gets better without surgery but in stubborn cases, it can take 6-8 months. Proper treatment includes rest, physical therapy, possibly a one time injection of cortisone or PRP (platelet rich plasma). A forearm band is also helpful to take pressure off of the area. Good luck!
Thigh pain?
I would first have an evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon and get an x-ray to make sure you do not have an osteoarthritis of your hip!
Knee question?
It sounds like tendinitis. I would get an evaluation from an orthopaedic surgeon. You do not want to run the risk of rupturing the quadriceps tendon which is the thigh muscle READ MORE
It sounds like tendinitis. I would get an evaluation from an orthopaedic surgeon. You do not want to run the risk of rupturing the quadriceps tendon which is the thigh muscle connection to the knee cap or patella.
How long does it take to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?
Most people recover within 4 to 6 weeks from routine knee arthroscopic. However, some people do take longer if there is more damage than anticipated. For example, if there is READ MORE
Most people recover within 4 to 6 weeks from routine knee arthroscopic. However, some people do take longer if there is more damage than anticipated. For example, if there is any significant osteoarthritis of the knee, the surgeon may have to scrape it or do a significant "chondroplasty" which can delay recovery to 2-3 months.
Which is better ankle fusion or ankle replacement?
With new technology, ankle replacement now has become a better option for osteoarthritis of the ankle. Depending on your activities, some ankle and foot orthopaedic surgeons will READ MORE
With new technology, ankle replacement now has become a better option for osteoarthritis of the ankle. Depending on your activities, some ankle and foot orthopaedic surgeons will still recommend an ankle fusion (e.g. if you do hard, manual labor) while more and more are recommending an ankle replacement. Just remember, an ankle replacement will not last forever and if you have it done at age 39, there is a high likelihood that it will wear out and you may have to have another one done in your lifetime.
How long is physical therapy after ankle surgery?
Depending on what surgery is done, most patients will do physical therapy twice per week for 6 weeks after ankle surgery and then convert to a home program.
How do you know if your Achilles tendon is torn or ruptured?
I hate to say it but torn and ruptured are the same thing when it comes to an achilles tendon tear (rupture). I know because I have ruptured (torn) both of mine! The achilles READ MORE
I hate to say it but torn and ruptured are the same thing when it comes to an achilles tendon tear (rupture). I know because I have ruptured (torn) both of mine! The achilles tendon tears/ruptures down near the heel bone (calcaneus) and typically needs surgery whereas a calf strain (muscle attached to the achilles tendon) is higher up and heals without surgery.
How long does it take for your knee to heal after meniscus surgery?
Depending on what is done at the time of arthroscopic knee surgery, most patients return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks after surgery. If there is more extensive osteoarthritis READ MORE
Depending on what is done at the time of arthroscopic knee surgery, most patients return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks after surgery. If there is more extensive osteoarthritis or loose articular cartilage, the recovery can take 2-3 months. More information can be found on my website at: www.sportsmedicinedr.com/patient education
How long does it take to recover from a dislocated ankle?
It can take 3-4 months to recover from a dislocated ankle as often times there are significant ligament injuries that need to heal.
Does a dislocated elbow require surgery?
A dislocated elbow should be first put back in place immediately. This is often done in the emergency room under sedation. Once the elbow is reduced, it is immobilized in a splint READ MORE
A dislocated elbow should be first put back in place immediately. This is often done in the emergency room under sedation. Once the elbow is reduced, it is immobilized in a splint and sling for a week to 10 days then range of motion is started. Most people will not require any further surgery on their elbow as long as they regain their motion and there are no other significant ligament injuries or fractures.
Can a dislocated elbow heal itself?
A dislocated elbow should be first put back in place immediately. This is often done in the emergency room under sedation. Once the elbow is reduced, it is immobilized in a splint READ MORE
A dislocated elbow should be first put back in place immediately. This is often done in the emergency room under sedation. Once the elbow is reduced, it is immobilized in a splint and sling for a week to 10 days then range of motion is started. Most people will not require any further surgery on their elbow as long as they regain their motion and there are no other significant ligament injuries or fractures.
How do you reduce swelling after ankle dislocation?
Rest, elevation, ice and compression (RICE). The best way to ice is to put ice into a bucket half full and then fill the bucket with water and submerge your foot in the ice bucket. READ MORE
Rest, elevation, ice and compression (RICE). The best way to ice is to put ice into a bucket half full and then fill the bucket with water and submerge your foot in the ice bucket. The first two minutes hurt but after that, it will get numb and keep it in for no longer than 15-20 minutes.
