Monthly Archives - March 2022

Recovering from a Muscle Tear – Dr Kevin Lee

What Are Muscle Tears?

Muscle tears are partial or complete ruptures of the muscle fibers. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may experience pain, swelling and bruising in addition to weakness in your affected area There are three types of muscle tears:
  • Partial tendon rupture - When only part of a tendon is torn from its attachment on bone (tendinopathy). This type is most common among athletes who participate in sports that require repetitive movements such as tennis players or weightlifters because these activities put stress on tendons over time; however it can also occur as a result of trauma such as falling down stairs while running at full speed!
  • Complete tendon rupture - When all fibers within a tendon are torn away from their attachments on bone (rupture). This type occurs when there has been significant force placed directly onto tendons during an accident such as getting hit by another player while playing basketball or soccer...

Diagnosis of Muscle Tears

Muscle tears can be diagnosed by a physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans.

Treatment Options for Sports Injuries in Singapore

There are many different treatment options for sports injuries in Singapore. Depending on the type and severity of your injury, you may be able to recover without surgery. If surgery is necessary, however, there are several types available depending on what part of your body has been injured. Surgery may be required if you have a complete or partial tear of your muscle that does not heal on its own or if you have pain when moving the affected area. Surgery usually involves repairing torn tendons with sutures (stitches) or using surgical staples to hold them together while they heal. The most common non-surgical treatments include:
  • Physical therapy - This can help reduce pain and swelling by improving mobility and strength around the injured area. It also helps with range of motion so that you can resume normal activities as soon as possible after an injury occurs (or prevent further injuries).
  • Braces - These devices provide support for joints or muscles that have been injured but do not require surgery to heal properly; they're often used in conjunction with physical therapy sessions because they give patients something extra while working out at home or during clinic visits. Other options include:
 

Recovery After Muscle Tear Treatment

  • Rest the affected muscle. You should refrain from using the injured area for at least two weeks, and then gradually return to exercise.
  • Take painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). These medications can help reduce inflammation and ease discomfort caused by muscle tears.
  • Consider physical therapy if you have recurring problems with your muscles or joints, or if you have difficulty performing daily activities because of an injury or illness that has affected your mobility

Prevention of Muscle Tears

  • Stretching before exercise
  • Wearing the right gear
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
Dr Kevin Lee is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore specializing in treating sports injuries of the lower limb, Hip & Knee Surgeries, Arthroscopic Surgery, and Cartilage Repair. Let Dr Lee answer your questions regarding your knee injuries today. Contact us at +65 6737 0558 .  
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Can Bow Legs Be Corrected in Children?- Dr Tay Guan Tzu

Sad girl and happy boy illustration

What Are Bow Legs?

Bow legs are a common condition in which the knees turn inward. It can be congenital or acquired due to trauma or injury. Congenital bow legs are usually seen in children, while acquired ones are more likely to occur in adults. Bow leg correction surgery is performed by a trained orthopaedic surgeon who will correct the alignment of your legs and straighten them out by realigning bones and soft tissues within your lower limbs. Bow legs are more common in boys than girls. The risk factors include:
  • Genetics - If your parents have bow legs, you may also have them.
  • Birth defects - Some children are born with a condition called congenital genu varum (Latin for "bent knee") which causes their knees to be bent outward instead of straight ahead. This can lead to permanent bow-leggedness if not corrected early on.
  • Musculoskeletal disorders - Children who suffer from muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy often develop bow-leggedness as they age due to muscle weakness and lack of coordination, respectively.

Diagnosis of Bow Legs

  • Physical examination: Your doctor will examine your legs and hips to determine if there are any abnormalities.
  • X-rays: X-rays can help determine if there is a condition that may be causing the bow legs, such as a congenital deformity or bone disease.
  • Other imaging tests: If an underlying problem is suspected, other imaging tests may be recommended to look for signs of this problem on your child's bones and joints.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Bow Legs

  • Bracing Bracing is a non-surgical treatment that can be used to correct bow legs. It involves wearing a brace on the leg for several hours each day, which helps straighten out the knees and ankles. The brace should be worn until your child reaches adulthood, or until they are able to walk without any problems.
  • Physical Therapy Physical therapy can also help with correcting bow legs, as it strengthens muscles around the knee joint and improves flexibility in those areas as well. A physical therapist will design an exercise program specifically tailored toward correcting bow legs in children aged 4-7 years old who have not yet reached puberty or older adolescents who have already gone through puberty but still suffer from this condition due to previous injuries or surgeries performed on their lower limbs during.

Surgical Treatments for Bow Legs

  • Osteotomy: This procedure involves cutting and realigning the bone to straighten it.
  • Arthrodesis: This involves fusing two or more bones together, which can be done using metal plates or screws, or by inserting surgical rods into the leg bones.
  • Tendon transfer: In this surgery, tendons from other parts of your body are used to create new muscles in your legs so that they will be able to hold up their weight better when walking.
If your child has bow legs, it's important to seek professional advice. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your condition, and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Dr Tay Guan Tzu is a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon whose subspecialty interests are in paediatric orthopaedics, adult and paediatric foot and ankle surgery, as well as deformity correction of the lower limb. Seeking medical attention for your foot or ankle injury? Consult Dr Tay Guan Tzu at +65 67340378 for a comprehensive assessment and suitable treatment plan today!  
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Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis in Singapore- Dr Tay Guan Tzu

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that occurs when the plantar fascia tissue becomes inflamed. It can be caused by overuse or injury to the foot, and it often affects athletes who participate in running sports. The pain associated with this condition typically occurs in the heel or arch of your foot, but can also extend into other areas including:
  • The bottom of your toes (ball) - especially if you have flat feet or high arches
  • Underneath your big toe (gastrocnemius muscle)

Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis

The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is usually made based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Physical examination includes:
  • Pain when you press your thumb into the bottom of your foot (the plantar surface) near where it joins with the heel bone, or where it attaches to the base of your toes.
  • Pain when you stand on tiptoes or walk barefoot on hard surfaces for a long time.

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

  • Rest: Rest is the first step in treating plantar fasciitis. You can take painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help relieve your symptoms and reduce inflammation. You should also avoid activities that cause pain or stress on the foot and heel area for at least two weeks.
  • Ice: Applying ice packs to the bottom of your feet several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain caused by this condition. Simply fill up a plastic bag with water, place it in the freezer until it's solid (about 30 minutes), then wrap it in a towel before applying it directly to your skin for 15 minutes at a time throughout the day--or whenever necessary--to keep swelling down while also providing some relief from discomfort associated with this condition

Non-surgical Options for Plantar Fasciitis

  1. Pain Relievers Pain relievers are one of the most common treatments for plantar fasciitis. They can help you manage your discomfort and reduce inflammation, but they won't cure it or make it go away completely. Some people find that taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen helps them feel better when they have plantar fasciitis, while others don't notice much of a difference at all. If you do decide to use painkillers, be sure not to take too many--overuse can cause stomach problems or even liver damage!
  2. Padding and Taping If padding doesn't work for you (or if your doctor recommends against using it), try taping instead. There are several different kinds of tapes available on the market today: some come with adhesive backing so they stay in while others require more frequent application (the latter usually comes off after about three days).
Dr Tay Guan Tzu is a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon whose subspecialty interests are in paediatric orthopaedics, adult and paediatric foot and ankle surgery, as well as deformity correction of the lower limb. Seeking medical attention for your foot or ankle injury? Consult Dr Tay Guan Tzu at +65 67340378 for a comprehensive assessment and suitable treatment plan today!  
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