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Tag: arthroscopy

3 Common Causes Of Knee Pain & Treatment Options Available
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3 Common Causes Of Knee Pain & Treatment Options Available

Knee pain is one of the most common lower limb issues that people face as they grow older. It can be caused by a number of different factors that involve physical activity, trauma, or it can be the result of a breakdown of your cartilage. Common Causes of Knee Pain Knee Injuries The knee is a complex joint that requires tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles to all work in tandem. An injury to any one of these components can cause severe knee pain and restrict your mobility. Some common injuries to the knee include ACL tears and knee fractures. ACL tears refer to partial or complete tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament which is a band of tissue that connects your thighbone to your shinbone. ACL tears can occur during activities that involve sudden stops or changes in direction. For complete tears, the recommended course of treatment will likely be ACL surgery in Singapore to regain full mobility and strength in the knee joint. A knee fracture is a break in the kneecap, which is a small bone that sits at the front of your knee. A direct impact to the kneecap can cause breaks in this bone which can range from relatively minor stable hairline fractures to more serious displaced or open fractures. Mechanical Problems Mechanical problems in your knee and other joints can also give rise to persistent knee pain. When a dislocation happens, it can be extremely painful and you may be able to actually see the kneecap visually out of place or at an odd angle. In many cases, the kneecap is able to pop back into place on its own. Arthritis There are two main types of arthritis that affect the knee are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Both these conditions can cause inflammation and pain in your knee joints, although they have different underlying causes. Osteoarthritis happens gradually over time and is exacerbated by factors such as ageing, obesity, prior injury, overuse, and genetics. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that results in swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformity. Total knee replacements in Singapore may be required if your knee joint is worn out beyond repair. Non-Invasive Treatment Options For Knee Pain RICE Protocol The RICE protocol is usually the first line of home treatment for minor knee injuries. It reduces swelling, pain, discomfort, and promotes healing Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) NSAIDs are used to manage pain, inflammation, and fevers in the body. They include medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac. They can help with arthritis symptoms and knee pain in general. Steroid injections Steroid injections directly to the knee joint can help relieve pain from injury or arthritis. They work rapidly but using them too often may damage cells in the knee that make cartilage. Physical Therapy Physical therapy is one of the recommended non-invasive treatment methods for knee pain. It can reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness while also restoring mobility and strength. Inactivity is likely to make knee pain worse and physical therapy can help mitigate this. Braces and Splints Braces and splints are used to keep your knee in place while healing and provide support for the joint to reduce the pressure and strain on the joint. You should consult your orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore about wearing a knee brace or splint and discuss how long you should keep it on for. Surgical Treatment Options ACL Reconstruction An ACL reconstruction involves removing the damaged or torn ACL in the knee and replacing it with a graft tendon. It’s an outpatient procedure and recovery takes a few months with physical therapy and rehabilitation. Total Knee Replacement A total knee replacement is a major surgery where damaged knee joints are cut away and replaced with artificial parts. It provides pain relief, improved mobility, and greater quality of life for patients with major knee problems which have progressed to an advanced stage. Learn More: All About The Latest Advancements In Knee Replacement Surgery Arthroscopy A knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and treat a number of knee problems. A small camera is inserted into the knee and small incisions are made to allow your orthopaedic surgeon to enter and manipulate miniature surgical instruments. At the Specialist Orthopaedic Centre in Singapore, our mission is to improve the quality of our patient’s lives through specialised, empathetic orthopaedic care. Contact us today to find out more about our services and make an appointment with us.
  • May 3, 2023
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
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