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Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

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Specializes in: Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery

Professional interests include: injuries, dislocation, sprains, and more.

1241 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive E
Lehighton, PA 18235

(570) 386-9910

Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT is in Lehighton, PA specializing in orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT is affiliated with Lehigh Valley Health Network and ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES OF ALLENTOWN.

Office Locations

Address:

1241 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive E
Lehighton, PA 18235

Address:

250 Cetronia Road Second Floor
Second Floor, PA 18104

Address:

250 Cetronia Road Suite 303
Allentown, PA 18104

Some issues Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT can help you with:

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove a small sample of cells for testing. The cells are examined in a laboratory to check for disease, or sometimes to see how badly a known disease is affecting them. Biopsy can be performed on any part of the body.

Although biopsy is most often associated with cancer, it can also be used to check for other diseases, such as infections. A biopsy sample can be scraped, cut, collected with a needle, taken with a machine that punches out a tiny piece, or removed with the tiny tools in an endoscope.

In most cases, a biopsy is a simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as blood thinners. It is important for patients to tell doctors if they are pregnant, as certain biopsies require the use of x-rays to guide the needle to the right location. There is usually very little pain associated with a biopsy. Patients will have to wait a few days to hear the results.

Joint Aspiration

A joint is any area of the body where two bones connect. Due to injury or disease, the space between the two bones can sometimes become swollen and inflamed, which leads to pain and a loss of mobility. Injection and aspiration are two tools that physicians use to treat joint pain locally without needing to perform surgery.

Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.

In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.

Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.

In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.

Musculoskeletal Problems

The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

decompression surgery	26
excision	24
joint surgery	118
lower extremity surgery	33
minimally invasive procedures	65
reconstructive surgery	53
upper extremity surgery	85

**Gender**
Male	43
Female	50

**Age**
From 65 to 74	46
From 75 to 84	24
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	32
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	29
decompression surgery	35
excision	34
joint surgery	183
lower extremity surgery	46
minimally invasive procedures	117
reconstructive surgery	66
upper extremity surgery	137

**Gender**
Male	44
Female	75

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	29
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	27
decompression surgery	28
excision	27
joint surgery	161
lower extremity surgery	38
minimally invasive procedures	98
reconstructive surgery	63
upper extremity surgery	123

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	140

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	60
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	32
decompression surgery	34
excision	31
joint surgery	193
lower extremity surgery	51
minimally invasive procedures	120
reconstructive surgery	73
upper extremity surgery	142

**Gender**
Male	54
Female	71

**Age**
From 65 to 74	71
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	38
decompression surgery	42
excision	39
joint surgery	272
lower extremity surgery	96
minimally invasive procedures	177
reconstructive surgery	95
synovectomy	18
upper extremity surgery	176

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	155
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	18
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	34
decompression surgery	39
excision	37
joint surgery	269
lower extremity surgery	111
minimally invasive procedures	145
reconstructive surgery	124
synovectomy	13
upper extremity surgery	158

**Gender**
Male	79
Female	102

**Age**
From 65 to 74	120
From 75 to 84	42
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	9

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	27
decompression surgery	29
excision	29
joint surgery	239
lower extremity surgery	94
minimally invasive procedures	116
reconstructive surgery	123
upper extremity surgery	145

**Gender**
Male	78
Female	95

**Age**
From 65 to 74	108
From 75 to 84	49
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	23
decompression surgery	23
excision	22
joint surgery	198
lower extremity surgery	87
minimally invasive procedures	81
reconstructive surgery	117
upper extremity surgery	111

**Gender**
Male	61
Female	100

**Age**
From 65 to 74	103
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT treated as in Lehighton, PA were joint surgery, upper extremity surgery, reconstructive surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

aspiration	83
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	29
decompression surgery	31
doctor visit	54
excision	29
injections	83
joint surgery	231
lower extremity surgery	94
minimally invasive procedures	114
musculoskeletal imaging	36
reconstructive surgery	117
synovectomy	15
upper extremity surgery	136
X-rays	36

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT.

**Gender**
Female	72
Male	51

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	15
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	0
75 to 84	33
Less than 65	0
65 to 74	74

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	10
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	19
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Dementia	0
Cancer	7

Education & Training

She has a state license in Pennsylvania.

Licensed In: Pennsylvania

Affiliations & Hospitals

Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Lehigh Valley Health Network

ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES OF ALLENTOWN

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Patti S. Connolly, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Novus Surgical Consultants	$37 $37
ERMI LLC	$19 $19

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$55

Biography

Ms. Patti Connolly works as an orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Her clinical interests include steroid injections, frozen shoulder, and general orthopedics. Ms. Connolly is affiliated with Lehigh Valley Health Network.