The world needs more surgeons willing to say that surgery isn’t the answer

[@scottschemmel9851]

I wish the internet was around for my 35 years of Sports Medicine and arthroscopy career. I would have been able to follow you and be encouraged and or validated in my efforts to educate and support my patients that were too often sabotaged within days after I had spent an hour explaining why they didn’t need surgery. Patient leaves office informed, reassured and confident that they are being taken care of by a knowledgeable, experienced surgeon only to have there neighbor , chiropractor, friends son who is an equipment rep tell them “ you have to have surgery for that! “ All my efforts were for naught. I was discouraged and I could have been consoled by your videos/ twitter posts!

[@harorider96]

I love this message. I suspect I have a slap tear and looked up if I need surgery. I appreciated you seeing in most cases it is not needed and that the pain is likely caused by something else. Thanks and hope your practice continues going well.

[@JacquelineGillen]

Thank You Dr. Luks for your intelligent, thoughtful, comments on this subject. I've been following you for a while now and you've encouraged me to Think about what I need to do to keep my mechanical body functioning optimally. I'm cruising into my 82nd year and doing that mostly without pain.....a little discomfort occasionally, but you've shown me how to deal with that. I consider you my PCP and grateful for your advice.

[@HowardLuksMD]

Wonderful!

[@suzannebaker9307]

I totally agree... I had a complete full rupture of my ACL last Oct. (2023) from jumping off my horse. I was so scared at first, I was under the impression that I would have to have surgery. After MUCH research, I decided not to have surgery and see how things would go. I'm a firm believer in the power of Prayer and am super active. It was a bit slow going at first, but I'm SO pleased to report that I'm doing great. I can run, ride the Peloton, ride our horses and much more. I'm so thankful you're willing to put this very valuable information out there. It is so helpful & important. Thanks so much!

[@glenng725]

Fantastic! 100% agree. Would you repeat the name of the Dr you refered to? Dr Gubi?

[@Greeksoopaman]

This is terrific messaging from a terrific Dr., but it can be frustrating to hear if you were lean and fit when your pain began. Barbell Medicine and Greg Lehman videos might be a good fit for those people.

[@thatdudesalim]

So much wisdom here, wow. Partially tore my acl two years ago, went without surgery and am still skateboarding. Thx Doc!

[@Kakhagha]

Gr8 talk loved listening to you

[@archanaskanda]

U r really genius sir.. I m following u n got ur suggestion 6 years back for meniscus tear.. I didn't go for any surgery.. I'm really fit n fine now.. thk u

[@HowardLuksMD]

:-)

[@nichellewinfield414]

Im 44 with complete acl rupture and meniscus tear. 7 months of therapy and In 80% normal. One surgeon said i need surgery or else TKR in years to come. The other surgeon said keep rehabbing. No pain instability so keep strengthening. Now Im torn. This vid helped

[@petergoldstein5831]

Tore my acl and mcl at 46. My Doctor recommended PT and no more basketball. Now 63, can run, bike, play tennis, no pain. Keep active and continue doing PT exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles.

[@derekstarchok3438]

Dr luks great videos I’m having issues with my R shoulder 5 mm superspinatus and 12 mm infraspinatus just had my 3rd injection yesterday and my question is with the size of those tears do you think surgery is required?also physical therapy wasn’t much help. I. A hockey player and want to continue to play . I’m a 52 year old male and the other question is can what showed up on the mri be normal wear and tear and is it possible the shoulder pain is coming from elsewhere. Thank you

[@passportboat]

Thank you Dr.Luks for your insight! What advice would you give to a young med student/aspiring orthopod that’s considering physiatry as a specialty as regenerative medicine is on the rise? Do you think going through orthopedic training will be worth it in the next 5/10/15 years?

[@HowardLuksMD]

Great question. True, the concept of regenerative medicine is on the rise, however, for now it's not well respected, nor is it truly regenerative. I was involved in cartilage regenerative research as a fellow. Well... I'm now at the tail end of my career and we're not much closer to regenerating cartilage :-). There will always be a need for Ortho... people will always fall from a roof, tear this and that from activities or accidents, and so on. Ortho is one of the few subspecialties that will continue to exist for quite a long while. Good luck

[@derekstarchok3438]

Big fan Dr Luks.I had shoulder decompression 4 years ; 2 years later injured the same shoulder playing hockey; mri showed a 5 mm tear of the supraspinatus and a 12 mm tear of the infraspinatus did pt with not much luck and had a 3rd cortisone injection today ; the doctor believes I have scapular dyskinesia and that may be my problem for my shoulder . Question is I guess are those rotator cuff tears the issue ? are those tears normal wear and tear for a 52 year oLd male or is scapular dyskinesia the real problem? Thanks

[@jarppa7689]

That's the difference between places like the US where hospitals are mainly private and countries with mainly public hospitals. In public hospitals the situation is vice versa, they want to do as little operations as possible. Obviously with public healthcare it can happen that the patient doesn't receive care, or that the care is given too late. Orthopedics is a good example. Queues to back operations can be six months or more, after which people are left with permanent nerve damage. I got my operation at a private hospital, had to wait for 2 weeks, and was only left with a numb pinky toe.

[@scottschemmel9851]

Their neighbor