• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
Sports Medicine

You MUST have surgery

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 17, 2021 Read time: 2 mins

Featured image placeholder

“You must have surgery … “

20 something years ago I was faced with a very important decision.  What specialty would I choose to pursue as a physician?   There were many specialties that attracted me … but in the end, I chose Orthopedic Surgery.  And why not? As a child I knew my Orthopedist better then my pediatrician … he was a happy gent and really seemed to enjoy what he was doing.  I liked sports, I like anatomy … it felt like a natural fit.

20 years later I do not regret my career path.

One of the many benefits (for me) of being an Orthopedic Surgeon is that I rarely have to drop really bad news on someone.  There are very very few Orthopedic emergencies and most injuries, if we wait long enough, get better.

Working in a tertiary referral center has been particularly rewarding. No two trauma patients are exactly alike.  The clinical thinking necessary to plan someone’s recovery is always interesting.

As a tertiary surgeon I am also asked to see many second opinions — a role I enjoy and take very seriously.

Over the years, as reimbursement levels have diminished, I have noticed a distinct correlation with the number of second opinions I wholeheartedly disagree with.

Some patients unfortunately think that because something is torn it must be fixed.  Some physicians feed into that premise by stating that surgery is necessary without even examining someone.  Heck, you can email your spine MRI to someone and they will tell you if you are a surgical candidate — Really ???

Our literature is quite clear … a multitude of injuries can safely be treated without surgery … and with a very high confidence level that the you will be able to return to your desired level of activity.

Folks, the world of high tech-low touch medicine is upon us.  If you tell someone that X hurts and they immediately choose to MRI the area and then recommend surgery because of a finding on the MRI — all the while without examining you, speaking to you about your goals, and educating you about your alternatives — I strongly recommend getting up and getting another opinion.  There are still a number of great docs out there.

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

Lots has changed in 20 years …

Categories: Sports Medicine, Surgery, Surgery Tags: shared decision making

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

second opinions
Why Second … Or Third Opinions Are Important
should I have surgery
Sometimes our joints just hurt, and it’s ok not to know why
Bowed legs and medial knee pain
High Tibial Osteotomy For Knee Arthritis Pain In Active People
should I have surgery
Elective Surgery Optimization: A Paradigm Shift

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bill

    May 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I had shoulder pain and my PCP’s physical exam immediately showed a problem. He had x-rays and MRI’s taken.

    Went to a ortho and he never even looked at my shoulder, just the x-ray & MRI. Told him that my activities included water skiing. His comment was “why would you want to do that”.

    Then he said I could not have surgery or have surgery and be as good as new after 3 weeks.

    I got out of there FAST!

  2. CarolMorton

    Jan 18, 2015 at 2:59 am

    I agree with you Dawn, his patients are very fortunate. I had to make a decision re knee surgery and after reading Dr Luks honest clinical point of view about surgery, I weighed up the options, and decided against the surgery. Should my condition deteriorate….I may think about the surgery then. I thank you Howard, for helping me to make an informed decision. Wish all surgeons were as people focussed as you.
    Carol.

  3. Dawn

    Jan 6, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    As a NICU nurse, over the years I have worked with hundreds of physicians from just as many disciplines.

    Rarely, however, have I encountered such a thoughtful, self-aware doc. Your nursing team, as well as your
    patients are very fortunate.

    Thank you.

    Dawn

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      Jan 9, 2015 at 3:23 pm

      :-) Thank you!

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. What's Next... Substack
    Sports Medicine
    What's Next... Substack
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.