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Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
40 Answers
0 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Pain, bruising, edem: Pain, bruising, swelling (edema), numbness due to swelling, inability to bear weight or full weight , iniability to wear a shoe due to to above. Som... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Makes it worse: Rest used to be the treatment for most back issues but recent studies have shown it to be detrimental, causing further weakness, weight gain, sleep pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
"radiating pain": If refers to radiating pain from a specific nerve distribution - usually from an upper region to a lower region, i.e. Back down th leg, or neck to the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Sleeping habits: Yes, sleeping positions and pillow conditions can negate all pt and medical help. Try an orthopaedic non allergenic pillow.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Pain with breathing: 1) pain when sneezing coughing, laughing, going to the bathroom, twisting, getting dressed, pain with breathing.
2) note - many other things can m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Be sure its a gang: A ganglion is a benign outpouching of fluid from a joint. There are many other 'lumps ' that can form over joints so get checked. However regarding... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Must rule out kidney: Have your primary md be sure you do have have a kidney problem. Otherwise heat, rest, no lifting or rotation and make sure you recheck in with prima... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
?weak ligaments: 1) injury recently? 2) could be loose ligaments or a stress fracture. Mri is very helpful if this does not respond to rest, ice, elevation and t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Need physical esam: While most of thes type of complaints are minor, self limiing (but annoying), pleased get examined to ensure you do not have a pinched nerve in your n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Quite important: As with all medical problems, patient expectations can positively or negatively affect clinical outcomes. Back pain, by definition, has so may causes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Severe: Not all back problems are created equal but elderly patients have to also worry about osteoporosis, arthritis , generalize weakness and muscle decondi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Surgery is usually the last resort for most back problems except major trauma. Therapy, postural exercises, yoga, weight loss and/or exercise, gait... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Wrists, ankles, feet: Ganglions are benign outpouches of joint fluid usually found on the wrists , feet and ankles, where there is a lot of repetitive stress and motion. (... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Badly: Biomechanically, a large abdomen causes the spine to curve, causes the posture to significantly alter and places major stress of all of the trunk and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Motion , ice, agilit: It can vary based on the severity of the sprain. Typically, rehab involves range of motion (sprains tend to stiffen the affected joints), ice (to rel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Bike: Generally, impact such as running, treadmill, stairmaster causing axial compression (downward pressure) on the back and disc and not recommended. Sta... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
NOT norma.l: Not normal. Can be as simple as a strained rib muscle or serious like a cardiac problem or breast issues. Please see a primary md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Great questions. A major reason why patients do not improve is due to sitting and posture issues (even as i sit here working on the computer, i can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Motion , ice, agilit: It can vary based on the severity of the sprain. Typically, rehab involves range of motion (sprains tend to stiffen the affected joints), ice (to rel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
?scoliosis: If you have a curvature of the spine , as we get older this can affect the rib cage and give the visual impression that the ribs are uneven and protru... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Point tenderness: Each ligament is in a specific location so the pain will be at that specific location. However -- fractures and other injuries can present the same w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
RICE: Rest, ice elevation, wrapping (compression to for swelli, patients are usually given crutches based on pain level) x-rays are often done to ensure the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Common: The vein that is punctured for the test will often clot and form a lump of sorts.-- especially if the phlebotomist missed vein or went thru it with th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Many reasons: 1) faulty, lumpy or loose matress that causes the spine to curve in your sleep (without you knowing it)
2) sleeping patters - many folks think the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
YES: Weak core muscles cause excess pressure and stress of all of the spinal structures, including the discs, bones, ligaments and muscles. Core training ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
X rays: A bad contusion to the pinky can appear just like a fracture. Severe fractures and dislocations of the pinky are visually more deformed. Good news -... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Different: Carpal tunnel typicall causes numbess and tingling in the thumb , index , long finger and half of the ring finger. It can hurt at night. The ganglio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
No: Could be a circulatory problem causing a pooling of the blood and subsequent cramping. See a primary or vascular md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Many reasons: 1) pinched nerves 2) sleeping or postural problems is there weakness associated with the numbness?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Varies: Not all back pain is the same - if you can play tennis without pain, without numbness or weakness then you are probably ok - get the official ok from ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Many: 1) are you a spine specialist or do you treat many spine injuries?
2) are their non surgical ways to treat this
3) what are the success rates for t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Pain limited motion: Pain, swelling, inability to grip or hold things, numbness, brusiing, inability to make a fist. Get an xray and get evalauted.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Weight hurts the bac: Weight can place excess stress on all joints , ligaments and muscles of the back and trunck and lead to postrual abormalities, abnormal walking and si... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
General term: "sprain" is a general term - often mis used referring to the stretch or tearing of a ligament. Ligaments are the 'rubber bands" that hold bones and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Many: Pain, swelling, inability to bear weight (or full weight on the leg, ankle and foot), numbness due to swelling, bruising and an inabilty to wear a sho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Please note however, that not all back trouble is the same and treatments vary so please get checked by an md specialist. Yoga is great for stress re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Sounds sciatic. This is a general term and surgery is not the first choice. See an orthopaedist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Yes: Be sure it is not too tight. There are other braces that are much better. Pt is also helpful. ?Is this your first dislocation? Did you have an MRI... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
Tendinitis usually: Very difficult and frustrating condition for those of us who exercise. Rest, anti inflammatories, refraining from squatting , running , stairclimbing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Paul Kovatisanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 34 years experience
VERY serious: This is a serious and potentially life - changing and life threatening event as well as an emergency to say the least. Patients requires emergent eva... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
154
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Kovatis is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Kovatis is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks and yes my legs feel week. They get real bad at night . It even wakes me up because feel like I can't move them. At times it's very painfull and annoying thanks
HealthTap member
thank you Dr. Kovatis. your advice has helped and my knee is feeling better. i hope to get back to lifting weights with my legs again soon.
HealthTap member
Thank you! i have degenerative disc disease so maybe that might have something to do with it
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UMDNJ New Jerseh Medical School
Graduated 1989MD
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