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What is Rotator Cuff Injury?

Rotator cuff injuries are common in Singapore, and they can be devastating. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that connect your upper arm bone (humerus) to your shoulder blade. When these muscles get injured, it can lead to pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint. The most common cause of rotator cuff injuries is overuse, i.e. too much repetitive movements with poor technique or form. Other causes include falls on an outstretched arm, trauma from sports activities such as tennis or golf (where there's a lot of swinging), and direct blows to the area around your shoulder blades.

Rotator Cuff Injury in Singapore

The prevalence of rotator cuff tears in Singapore is about 1%, with an average age at onset of 40 years. The male-to-female ratio for rotator cuff injuries is 2:1. Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Injury There are two main treatment options for rotator cuff injuries:

• Non-surgical treatments. These include rest, ice and compression, physiotherapy and steroid injections.
• Surgical treatments. Surgery may be recommended if you have severe damage to your rotator cuff or if non-surgical methods have not helped to reduce pain and improve function of the shoulder joint. Surgery can involve repairing torn tendons or removing bone spurs from around the rim of your socket (acromion).

Risks and Complications of Rotator Cuff Injury The risks and complications of rotator cuff injury include:

• The most common symptom of a rotator cuff tear is pain in the shoulder area. The pain may be mild or severe, but it's usually constant and doesn't go away with rest or medication. It can get worse with activity that involves lifting your arm above shoulder level (elevating your arm above your head).
• Your shoulder may feel stiff if there's inflammation around one or more tendons in your shoulder joint, which is called bursitis. You might also notice stiffness when moving around in bed at night because lying on one side puts pressure on the inflamed bursa sacs under each rotator cuff tendon attachment point (subacromial bursa).

Treatment Options for Athletes with Rotator Cuff Injury

• Rest is the first step to recovery for any injury. Resting your shoulder will allow it to heal, and you'll be able to return to activity sooner.
• Ice packs can help reduce swelling and pain by numbing the area around your rotator cuff tendonitis. Apply ice packs 20 minutes at a time, then remove them for 10 minutes before reapplying if necessary (do not apply directly on skin).

Treatment Options for Elderly with Rotator Cuff Injury

• Rest is a good first step.
• You may also want to consider physical therapy, which can help you regain strength in your shoulder and improve your range of motion.
• If you're still having problems after these treatments, surgery might be necessary.

Exercises to Help Strengthen Shoulder Muscles

A good way to strengthen the muscles in your shoulders is by doing exercises that target these muscles. Here are some examples:

• Shoulder press
• Lateral raise
• Upright row, or shoulder shrugs (with dumbbells)
• Bent over row (with barbells or dumbbells)

Tips to Avoid Rotator Cuff Injury

• Warm up before exercise.
• Strengthen shoulder muscles.
• Use proper form when lifting weights.
• Avoid activities that require sudden movements, such as throwing a punch or swinging a golf club, until you heal completely from your injury.

  Dr Andy Wee is skilled in arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, and has performed over two thousand arthroscopic procedures over the last 10 years. He has performed over a thousand ACL Recontruction and meniscus surgeries alone, and has treated many national athletes with sports related knee, shoulder and elbow injuries with arthroscopic surgery. Interested to learn more about arthroscopic (keyhole) meniscus repair for your condition? Call us at +65 6247 7958 to make an appointment to see Dr Andy Wee today!  

What Is Clavicle Fracture?

Clavicle fracture is a break in your clavicle bone. The clavicle is the collarbone, which connects your upper arm to your sternum (breastbone). The most common cause of a clavicle fracture is trauma to the shoulder area such as falling on an outstretched hand or being hit by an object. Other causes include:

• sports injuries
• falls from height
• motor vehicle accidents

The most common occupations causing clavicle fracture include:

• Construction work, which involves heavy lifting and carrying materials
• Manufacturing jobs, where workers use machinery with moving parts or repetitive motions that put pressure on their arms and shoulders
• Jobs that require physically demanding tasks such as lifting heavy objects or working at heights

Clavicle Fracture in Singapore

• The average annual number of clavicle fractures in Singapore is about 2,000 cases.
• 70% of these fractures are male and 30% are female.
• The most common age group for this injury to occur is 20-50 years old but it can happen at any time during life if you fall awkwardly or are involved in an accident that causes your shoulder to hit something hard enough to break your collarbone (such as when you're driving).

Diagnosis of Clavicle Fracture

Clavicle Fracture is a common injury that can be diagnosed by physical examination and image tests. Physical Examination:

• The doctor will feel for tenderness over the clavicle in order to locate any fractures or dislocations.
• The patient should be asked to lift his/her arm above their head and then brought down slowly while being examined by the doctor. This test helps determine if there is any pain or discomfort while moving your arms up or down in different positions, which may indicate a problem with your collarbone area.

Risks and Complications of Clavicle Fracture

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Loss of motion in the arm or shoulder
• Instability of the clavicle (the collarbone) due to fracture displacement or deformity.

Treatment Options for Clavicle Fracture

Non-surgical treatment options include:

• A cast is a hard, rigid bandage that's wrapped around the injured area and held in place with pins or wires. It helps keep your bones in place while they heal.
• Slings support an arm or shoulder by wrapping around it and holding it close to the body, which reduces pain and swelling. Slings may be used for fractures that don't need surgery but still cause pain or difficulty moving the arm or shoulder because of injury to muscles or tendons near where bone was broken (for example, if there was damage to nerves).

Rehabilitation After Clavicle Fracture

After you have had your clavicle fracture treated, you will need to follow a rehabilitation program. The aim of this is to help you regain full range of motion and strength in your shoulder joint. Physical therapy may include exercises such as:

• Strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles (which support the shoulder). These are important because they help keep your shoulder stable while moving it through its full range of motion.
• Range-of-motion exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles around your shoulder joint, helping them work better together so they can move more smoothly when you want them too

Prevention of Clavicle Fracture

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid activities that put you at risk for clavicle fractures, such as contact sports, gymnastics and horseback riding.
• Strengthen chest muscles with push-ups and other exercises that engage the pectoralis major muscle group in your upper body.

  Dr Andy Wee is skilled in arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, and has performed over two thousand arthroscopic procedures over the last 10 years. He has performed over a thousand ACL Reconstruction and meniscus surgeries alone, and has treated many national athletes with sports related knee, shoulder and elbow injuries with arthroscopic surgery. Interested to learn more about arthroscopic (keyhole) meniscus repair for your condition? Call us at +65 6247 7958 to make an appointment to see Dr Andy Wee today!  

 

What Is Elbow Arthritis?

Elbow arthritis is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the joint between the upper arm bone and two bones of the forearm. It can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the elbow joint.

What Causes Elbow Arthritis?

Elbow arthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the elbow joint over time. It can also be caused by injury to the elbow joint, such as from falling on an outstretched arm or repetitive movements like golfing or tennis playing. The most common causes of elbow arthritis include:

• Age-related wear and tear of joints (osteoarthritis) in people aged 50 years old and above
• Repetitive trauma injuries such as falling on an outstretched arm

Who Is At Risk For Elbow Arthritis?

As you might have guessed, elbow arthritis is more common in older people. But this doesn't mean that you can't get it if you're young! In fact, some people who develop the disease are as young as 20 years old. The risk of developing elbow arthritis increases with age--particularly after age 50 or 60. Men are also more likely than women to develop the condition; this may be due to differences in body weight or muscle mass between men and women (muscle mass helps support joints). People who perform repetitive motions with their elbows -- such as athletes who play tennis or golf -- are at greater risk for developing elbow arthritis because these activities put stress on the joint over time.

Diagnosis of Elbow Arthritis

The diagnosis of elbow arthritis is made by a doctor based on the following:

• Physical examination. The doctor will examine your arm and ask you to move it in certain ways. This helps him or her determine if there are any problems with the joint movement, pain when moving the arm, and stiffness in the elbow.
• Imaging tests (X-rays). These can show signs of bone damage or inflammation in the joint space between bones. X-rays also help determine if there is any arthritis present in other parts of your body such as hips or shoulders that may contribute to pain at night when sleeping on one side for long periods of time

Treatment Options for Elbow Arthritis

There are a few options for treating elbow arthritis, including:

• Non-surgical treatments. These include physical therapy and medication.
• If you have severe elbow arthritis that does not respond to non-surgical treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Prevention of Elbow Arthritis

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid activities that put excessive strain on the elbow joint, such as lifting heavy objects or playing sports that require repetitive throwing motions.
• Strengthening exercises can help to reduce pain and improve range of motion in your elbow, especially if you have weak muscles around it (such as those in your forearm). For example:
  • Use an elastic band to perform wrist curls by gripping one end of the band with both hands and holding it straight out in front of you at shoulder height; then slowly bend both wrists up until they are parallel with each other before relaxing them back down again
  • Perform bicep curls by gripping dumbbells or soup cans filled with sand or water, holding them at arm's length away from your body with palms facing forward; then bend elbows until they're 90 degrees out from shoulders

  Dr Andy Wee is skilled in arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, and has performed over two thousand arthroscopic procedures over the last 10 years. He has performed over a thousand ACL Recontruction and meniscus surgeries alone, and has treated many national athletes with sports related knee, shoulder and elbow injuries with arthroscopic surgery. Interested to learn more about arthroscopic (keyhole) meniscus repair for your condition? Call us at +65 6247 7958 to make an appointment to see Dr Andy Wee today!  

What Is Total Hip Replacement Surgery?

Total hip replacement surgery is a procedure that replaces your damaged hip joint with an artificial one. The damaged bone and cartilage are removed, and some of the socket of your pelvis is cut away to make room for an implant stem. A metal ball at its center called an implant stem can be used to attach to a plastic liner (cup) or directly into bone if there's enough healthy tissue remaining in your pelvis.

Who Can Benefit From Total Hip Replacement Surgery?

Total hip replacement surgery is a procedure that can be performed on patients who have severe osteoarthritis, bone deformity of the lower leg bone and pain and stiffness in other joints. The following conditions may be considered for total hip replacement:

• Severe osteoarthritis where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms. This includes people who are unable to walk or find it very difficult to do so because of their condition.
• Bone deformities such as congenital dislocation (where there has been an abnormal development of the hip joint) or slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). SCFE occurs when one side of your thighbone becomes loose while still growing - this can lead to pain and stiffness in your hip joint."

Diagnosis of Total Hip Replacement Surgery

In order to determine if you are a candidate for total hip replacement surgery, your doctor will perform a physical examination and order imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans.

• Physical Examination: A physical examination is done to check for any abnormalities in the hip joint or surrounding muscles and ligaments. Your doctor will also assess how well your other joints are functioning before recommending surgery on one side of the body only (unilateral).
• Imaging Tests: X-rays can help detect bone damage caused by arthritis or other conditions that may require surgical treatment. An MRI scan can give more detailed information about soft tissues like cartilage in the hip joint and their surrounding muscles, tendons and ligants

Treatment Options for Total Hip Replacement Surgery

• Total Hip Replacement: This is the most common procedure and involves replacing both sides of the hip joint.
• Partial Hip Replacement: This is done when only one side needs to be replaced, such as when only one side has arthritis or damage from an injury.
• Reverse Total Hip Replacement: This surgery replaces the ball (femoral head) with an artificial ball and replaces the socket with an artificial socket that's wider than normal so that it can accommodate a larger femoral head when you walk or run, which helps prevent dislocation of your hip joint in future years.

Recovery After Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Recovery after total hip replacement surgery is a long process. You should rest the affected area and use crutches or a walker for support. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are important parts of your recovery, as they help you regain strength and mobility. You may also need to take medication to reduce pain and swelling. As you recover from total hip replacement surgery, it's important to keep moving so that your muscles stay strong, which will make it easier for you to do everyday tasks like walking up stairs or bending down to pick something up off the floor. It's also important that you eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables; drink plenty of water; avoid smoking; maintain regular exercise routines (with guidance from a doctor); get enough sleep at night--about eight hours per night--and manage stress levels by taking breaks throughout each day.   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 .  

What Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure to replace the damaged or worn out knee joint with an artificial one. The damaged cartilage, bone and ligaments are removed from your knee and replaced with metal components that allow movement of your leg.

Who Can Benefit From Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is not suitable for everyone. It's best to seek advice from a doctor if you have:

• Severe osteoarthritis (joint wear) in both knees and other joints that cause pain and stiffness, such as hips or shoulders
• A bone deformity of your lower leg bone (tibia), such as bowlegs or knock knees

Diagnosis of Total Knee Replacement Surgery

In order to determine if you are a good candidate for knee replacement surgery, your doctor will perform a physical examination and imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans.

Treatment Options for Total Knee Replacement Surgery

The treatment options for total knee replacement surgery in Singapore include:

• Non-surgical treatments, such as rest, ice and compression, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. These may help relieve your pain but they do not correct the underlying problem of arthritis.
• Surgical treatments include:
  • Total knee replacement surgery. This is the most common procedure for people with severe osteoarthritis in their knees. The surgeon removes the damaged parts of your knee joint and replaces them with metal, plastic and/or ceramic components that are designed to replicate a healthy knee joint.
  • Partial knee replacement surgery. This involves removing only one side of your damaged joint (usually because you have arthritis on only one side). A metal implant is then used to replace the damaged part of your thigh bone while leaving behind healthy cartilage on both sides of your leg bone so that they can glide smoothly against each other without causing further damage when you walk or run.
  • Arthroscopy - This is an alternative treatment option for those who don't want any invasive surgery but still suffer from chronic pain caused by arthritis in their joints

Recovery After Total Knee Replacement Surgery

After surgery, you will be advised to rest the affected muscle and take painkillers as needed. You may also need to use crutches or a walker for support while walking until your knee is fully healed. If you are having trouble getting around, consider physical therapy to help improve mobility and prevent stiffness in your joints. 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 .  

What is Robotic Knee Surgery?

Robotic knee surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses robotic arms to assist with the precise placement of implants in the knee joint. This allows for a more precise and accurate operation than traditional open surgery, which can often leave scars on your leg or require longer recovery times.

Statistics of Robotic Knee Surgery in Singapore

Robotic knee surgery is a new procedure that has been gaining popularity in Singapore. According to the Singapore Sports Council, more than 2,000 people suffered from sports-related injuries in 2013. The most common sports that result in knee problems include football (soccer), basketball and tennis. Robotic Knee Surgery is available in Singapore at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital (MEH).

Who Can Benefit From Robotic Knee Surgery?

Robotic knee surgery is beneficial for athletes, as it helps reduce the risk of infection and other complications due to its minimally invasive nature. It is also beneficial for those with severe arthritis or other conditions that cause pain and stiffness in their joints, as the precision of the robotic arms helps to reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.

Diagnosis of Robotic Knee Surgery

To determine if you are a good candidate for robotic knee surgery, your doctor will perform a physical examination and imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans. The goal of robotic knee surgery is to relieve pain caused by arthritis or injury in the joint. It can also improve mobility by reducing stiffness, improving flexibility and strengthening muscles around the knee joint.

Treatment Options for Robotic Knee Surgery

The treatment options for robotic knee surgery in Singapore include:

• Robotic-assisted partial knee replacement
• Total knee replacement
• and arthroscopy.

Recovery After Robotic Knee Surgery

After surgery, you will be advised to rest the affected muscle and take painkillers as needed. You may also need to use crutches or a walker for support while walking until your knee is fully healed. If you are having trouble getting around consider physical therapy to help improve mobility and prevent stiffness in your joints. 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 .

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 .  

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!