Dr. Craig W. Goodhart

It depends on the type of tear ( simple or complex) and amount of arthritic changes. Weight and general health are also factors. Simple tear, average weight, good health then 6-12 weeks. Complex tear and arthritis, over weight and poor health will continue to have problems. Discuss these issues with you physician and he/she should be able to give you an appropriate answer. Do what you have control over. Reasonable weight, appropriate exercises, regular core, leg stretching and strengthening. Good luck.

This is very difficult to answer without knowing what activities you like, symptoms, radiographs, and MRI. Need to know how close to cortex, any evidence of stress fracture, etc. This is all best addressed with your orthopedic spine surgeon or neurosurgeon.
Sorry I cannot give you a better answer. Good luck!

Yes, the joints in the finger can be compressed (jammed). If the finger is not deformed, but just painful, tender, stiff, and swollen, then ice the finger, buddy tape to adjacent finger for protection until finger is close to or back to normal. If deformed or painful without much improvement after 7-10 days, I would recommend an X-ray. Your age could have growth plate involvement or small fracture requiring different care.
Good luck!

This depends on the degree of instability of the elbow following the dislocation. After the dislocation is reduced(put back in place) the stability is checked and if relatively stable then bracing is all that is necessary and sometimes therapy. If the elbow is very unstable then usually a confirmatory MRI Is helpful in Pre operative planning. If any fracture is present along with instability then surgery usually will give you the best result.. Good luck.

Usually this is repair or reconstruction (make a new ligament) to make the ankle less loose. Generally very successful for people who have had multiple sprains or one major injury.

This depends on the surgery performed. The short answer is yes you will get better faster and with better results going to a therapist. Even a little direction from the therapist and a dedicated patient can get good results. Doing it entirely on your own if dedicated can get you good results but will take longer. Professional athletes get better faster with less risk of reinjury due to the daily work with trainers and therapists. Good luck

Pain in a hip can occur for many reasons. I would need much more information to give an accurate reason. It may be back , pelvic or hip related. Can be muscular, skeletal, nerve related. Can very much depend on age, weight, activities. If it has been present for over 6 weeks you should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon and have appropriate diagnostic tests (radiographs, MRI etc). Good luck

This depends on the extent of injury, previous history of injury, general health and other reasons. Most simple ankle sprains heal in 3-6 weeks. However some take longer. First get rid of tenderness, swelling and general pain. Then work on range of motion and general strenghthening. Finally balance and return to sports. A good therapist is a valuable asset. If after 6 weeks no improvement should definitely see an orthopedic surgeon if you have not. Good luck.

As you are aware chondromalacia is an abnormality of the Cartlidge behind the kneecap. The list of possible causes is extensive. Before any surgery should be performed each of these should be addressed. In general it is believed that this softening of the Cartlidge is a result of either a muscular in balance or skeletal imbalance which leads to alteration in the Cartlidge overtime. It also may be a result of direct trauma damaging the Cartilage. The main form of treatment is trying to Avoid activities which caused the pain and also an extensive course of therapy under the guidance of a therapist both at home and with the therapist. If after 3 to 6 months of working diligently with therapy as well as medications and activity modification there’s no improvement than surgery may be indicated. In each case the physician will individualize your treatment and you will undergo therapy following this. Surgery may be an author scopic procedure to simply remove flaps or fragments of Cartilage or may involve elevation of the tibial tubercle all to improve alignment and remove or alter pressure. This is a very complicated problem and I would have several opinions before any surgery is performed. Good luck I hope this has been helpful.

This depends on bone quality and fixation. The better of each the less time until weight bearing. Your decision will depend on your surgeon and the other factors. However most surgeons will have you six weeks no weight and then progress to full weight based on radiologic findings. Good luck.

After 4 weeks your fracture is like being glued together but not firm like cement. If pain resolves within day or two should be no worries. If becoming more severe or just not going away see your doctor and get follow up radiographs to make sure fracture is healing appropriately. Good luck.

The straighter the elbow the les tension on the lateral epicondyle. I would also suggest some light wrist and elbow stretching prior to bed and also 5 minutes of ice massage. Good luck

There are many fine Podiatrists and Orthopedic surgeons who have had foot and ankle specialty training. In general if you have any significant additional medical problems (diabetes, vascular, neural) then you should go to the Orthopedic surgeon. They have much more training with this. For minor problems a Podiatrist or Orthopedic surgeon with foot/ ankle or sports medicine will be able to assist you with the problem. For more complex ankle injuries or foot alignment problems (arthritis, a vascular necrosis, childhood alignment issues) I would recommend the Orthopedic foot/ankle. Obviously I have some bias’s as I am an Orthopedic surgeon. My partners, who are foot and ankle trained took care of poor outcomes from both Orthopedic surgeons and Podiatrists. If you want to see just one, in general go to an Orthopedic surgeon with 5 or more years of experience who is fellowship trained in foot/ankle. In all cases, except trauma, I would get several opinions if surgery is required. Good Luck.

Most people that have an ankle replacement are in constant pain and have difficulty walking. Ankle replacements have improved over the years and currently patients generally walk with less pain and with improved function. So yes you can walk and generally better. Should you run, jump or play aggressive sports—Probably not. Longevity due to loosening is still a problem in someone as young as you. If all else has failed replacement is a reasonable option. Make sure you see a foot/ ankle orthopedic specialist who has a good deal of experience. Ask for his/her results. Get a patient name or two that you might call or look for a forum discussing these. Good luck

Most patients have a limp prior to a fusion due to the pain and altered mechanics of the ankle. Some also have foot, knee, hip and back issues. In my experience, patients still will have some limp or altered gait after a fusion. It may only be subtle and improved, but still there. The pain usually greatly improves and often other joints are saved or improved.
Good luck.

This is a subject which has no real scientific answer. So you may get different answers from different physicians. Some patients with flat feet develop pain due to muscle weakness so exercise structured and walking without shoes can be helpful. Some have constant pain and an orthotic and supportive shoe is helpful. So I would suggest both and see which works best for you. Good luck.

Unless you have severe instability (knee gives out when you get up), I would suggest not wearing a brace. If you have swelling in the knee and the fact that you're not moving the leg, you may increase your risk of a blood clot. Wear the brace for compression and stability when you are moving.
Good luck.

If the toes are not straight due to soft tissue abnormality such as tendon shortening or muscle weakness you can try appropriate shoe wear (proper fit and non-constricting) and exercises for foot. If it is truly a bone abnormality then it is likely to require surgery. I would suggest an evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot/ankle or a good podiatrist to evaluate your feet. Good luck.

Just depends on the type of arthroscopic surgery you have. If you have a simple arthroscopy for a small meniscal tear this can be done successfully with the home program. Often times a single session to make sure you’re doing the appropriate exercises helpful. Generally you’ll return to activities faster and safer with a well structured physical therapy program. For more complex procedures such as Cartlidge implantation and meniscal repair’s more extensive therapy may be indicated. Good luck

This is a difficult question to answer it is based on many factors. The short answer is you should illuminate all possible non-surgical options prior to a spinal fusion. This would include weight loss, routine therapy and back exercises, use of anti-inflammatory medicines but avoid narcotics. I would also recommend The possibility of injections into the facet joints or epidural injections. You’re following all this your quality-of-life is poor and besides chronic back pain you’re having any type of neurologic symptoms that a spinal fusion would be indicated. My best advice if you’ve done all these other things would also to get several opinions prior to any surgery. Good luck