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Tag: ankle fracture

6 Common Types Of Ankle Surgery An Orthopaedic Doctor Performs
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6 Common Types Of Ankle Surgery An Orthopaedic Doctor Performs

Whenever we walk, run, or jump, our feet and especially our ankles bear the brunt of the stress. Over time, this strain on our ankles can eventually lead to severe injuries which may not respond to non-surgical interventions like rest, custom orthotics, braces, or physical therapy.  Learn More: What Treatments Do Ankle Specialists Offer Their Patients? The way to move forward in such cases might be to opt for ankle surgery to repair fractures, ligament tears, and joint or tendon problems. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the common types of ankle surgeries performed by orthopaedic doctors in Singapore.
  1) Arthroscopy An Arthroscopy, also referred to as a “keyhole surgery” is a procedure where a camera is inserted into your ankle to diagnose problems with joint and ligaments. During an Arthroscopy, small cuts are made at the bottom of your feet and the camera is inserted through these incisions.  Arthroscopy is an effective, minimally-invasive surgery that can both diagnose and treat ankle instability, ankle impingement, bone spurs, torn ligaments, or scar tissue. Arthroscopy is usually performed as an outpatient surgery and you should be able to go home on the same day with recovery time usually spanning a few weeks. 2) Ankle Fracture Fixation An ankle fracture in Singapore is a break to one of the three bones that make up the ankle joint. Non-severe fractures, known as nondisplaced fractures, where the bones have not moved out of place can be treated via leg casts and special boots.  However, displaced fractures, where the bone fragments are separated, might require surgery. Especially if the ankle joint has been dislocated as well. Depending on the extent of the fracture, screws and plates might be inserted during the surgery to keep the joint bones in place during recovery. 3) Ankle Replacement If you have a severe case of osteoarthritis, and your ankle cartilage has broken down completely, ankle replacement surgery might be recommended by your orthopaedic doctor to remove the damaged cartilage and replace it with artificial parts.  These artificial joints help the ankle with more natural movement patterns to reduce risk of arthritis happening in nearby joints. The entire surgical procedure for a complete ankle replacement might take several hours and you might need to be on crutches for a few weeks. 4) Ankle Tendon Repair Tendons are banded tissues that connect muscle to bone. They work together to ensure full functionality and stability of the ankle joint. Injuries to ankle tendons include acute tears, tendonitis, tendinopathy, and tendinosis. While non-surgical treatment methods are preferred, in cases where they are ineffective, surgical ankle tendon repair becomes a necessity. During an ankle tendon repair, an incision is made and damaged tissues are removed. Torn ends of tendons may also be sewn together. Recovery might take several months with physical therapy playing an important role. 5) Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction A lateral ankle ligament reconstruction is a surgery that is used to tighten and strengthen ankle ligaments. It is generally recommended by foot and ankle specialists for patients who have loose or overstretched ankle ligaments leading to chronic ankle instability.  It is usually performed as an outpatient surgery and there are several different techniques that can be called upon for the procedure, depending on the type of injury sustained. Most commonly, the patient’s ligament can be repaired with stitches. An alternative option is to use a grafted tendon to repair the ligament. 6) Achilles Tendon Treatment The achilles tendon connects the muscles in your calf to your heel bone. If you have completely ruptured your achilles tendon, surgery might be the preferred way to move forward to reduce chances of re-rupture. Surgery for achilles tendon involves making an incision at the back of your ankle and stitching the torn tendon back together. Recovery timeline for achilles tendon surgery is around 4-6 months depending on injury severity. As with all types of surgery, there’s always an element of risk involved. In many cases, the benefits to the patient are weighed against the potential complications before any decision is made about treatment protocol. Other factors like the quality of life for the patient and how it may affect their occupation or lifestyle are also considered. As a foot and ankle specialist in Singapore, Dr Kannan Kaliyaperumal is an orthopaedic surgeon with years of experience in lower limb disorders and surgical treatment. At his clinic, the Specialist Orthopaedic Centre, the aim is to provide quality medical treatment that is customised to fit a patient’s needs and means. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide and make an appointment with our team. 
  • March 13, 2023
Common Lower Limb Sports Injuries Seen By Orthopaedic Specialist in Singapore
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Common Lower Limb Sports Injuries Seen By Orthopaedic Specialists in Singapore

Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or even if you just play sports occasionally, you might face lower limb injuries at some point. They range from minor sprains to more serious cases like ligament tears or bone fractures. It’s important to identify the symptoms of some of the more common lower limb injuries and recognise when you need medical treatment. Especially when a consultation with an experienced orthopaedic doctor in Singapore is required for further evaluation. 1. Plantar Fasciitis The defining symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain at the bottom of your feet, close to the heel. The risk factors for plantar fasciitis include age, physically taxing activities, and obesity. If you are in constant pain from your heel and it hasn’t improved after a few days, then it’s advisable to see a specialist. Pain from plantar fasciitis can cause patients to alter the way they walk causing issues down the road with the knees, and ankles. 2. Anterior Ankle Impingement Anterior ankle impingements occur when there’s damage or inflammation to the structures at the front of the ankle joint. Symptoms include pain while walking or running up inclines, doing squats, or landing after jumping exercises. Ignoring the pain that comes from anterior ankle impingement can exacerbate the condition. An orthopaedic doctor would be able to prescribe an activity program to build strength and flexibility in the ankle joint to aid recovery and prevent future injuries. 3. Shin Splints Shin splints refer to pain down the shin bone and is a common condition among runners. Other symptoms include tenderness, soreness, and swelling. The initial pain might stop after exercise, but with repeated usage and without adequate recovery it can progress into a stress fracture. Since shin splints usually occur due to overuse, the first line of treatment is to take a break from the activity that is causing the issue. An orthopaedic doctor would also be able to identify issues with flat feet, or overly rigid foot arches and prescribe orthotics as necessary. 4. ACL Tear The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) connects your thigh bone to the shin bone. ACL tears happen most often when engaged in sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction. Signs of ACL injuries include a loud pop or popping sensation in the knee, swelling, pain, loss of range of motion, and inability to bear weight. ACL reconstruction surgery in Singapore is recommended for patients who have not recovered after physical therapy treatments or if the injury is deemed severe enough. Learn More: Helping Athletes Bounce Back To Form After Sports Injuries 5. Runner’s Knee Runner’s Knee, known medically as Patellofemoral pain syndrome, refers to pain localised around your kneecap. It causes dull aches that get worse during physical activity. The causes are varied with overuse, muscle imbalance, injury, and knee surgery all known risk factors. Improving strength, losing excess weight, and optimising technique are just some of the ways to help prevent Runner’s Knees. 6. Ankle Fracture An ankle fracture is an injury to the bones in the ankle. The severity of the condition can vary from tiny cracks in the bone to serious breaks which might require surgery. If you have an ankle fracture in Singapore, you might experience immediate pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, and deformity. If there are any obvious deformities, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible to assess the seriousness of the fracture. 7. Ankle Ligament Tear Ankle ligament tears can range from minor tears that get better with at-home treatment protocols, to more severe ligament tears that might require further medical intervention. Physical therapy to strengthen ankles or orthotic devices to support your feet are options for treatment. In rare cases for severe tears, surgery can be performed to repair ligaments. Lower limb sports injuries happen often enough and can put you out of action for long periods of time. But taking preventive measures like wearing proper footwear, and maintaining strength and flexibility in your lower limbs, can reduce your risks of encountering such injuries. In the unfortunate case you do get injured, it’s important to seek timely medical attention and get your condition diagnosed by a qualified orthopaedic surgeon. Effective orthopaedic treatment that provides high-quality, comprehensive, and specialised care for patients has always been the aim of our orthopaedic clinic in Singapore. Contact us today to enquire about our services and set up an appointment with us to find out how we can help you.
  • February 23, 2023
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