Orthopaedic Treatment in Singapore

Orthopaedics is an area of medicine focused on conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system. This includes any issues related to the following: 

• joints
• nerves
• bones
• muscles
• ligaments 
• tendons

An orthopaedic doctor can treat a wide range of problems from injuries like a broken bone or tendon rupture to chronic conditions like lower back pain or arthritis. Orthopaedic doctors and orthopaedic surgeons will work with you at every stage of a musculoskeletal issue, including: 

• diagnosis of injuries and conditions 
• creating a treatment plan  
• overseeing and guiding rehabilitation
• coaching on injury preventing 
• developing a chronic conditions management strategy 

To become an orthopaedic doctor in Singapore, candidates are required to complete a six-year programme. Whether they study locally or abroad, all practising orthopaedic specialists in Singapore have a medical degree that is recognised by the Singapore Medical Council alone and have completed an intensive internship.

Many orthopaedic doctors continue their education with a focus on a particular subspecialty like sports medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedic trauma services, or with a speciality on certain parts of the body.

While orthopaedic doctors treat a broad assortment of ailments, the most common issues include:

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• bone fractures
• muscle strains
• joint pain
• back pain
• arthritis
• tendons injuries
• ligaments injuries
• tendonitis
• ACL tears
• limb abnormalities
• bone cancer

Orthopaedic emergencies are acute injuries that come from sudden trauma or are the results of complications with an existing condition. 

One of the most common emergencies that come on suddenly is a broken bone. To prevent it from going from bad to worse, it is vital to see an orthopaedic for an alignment, splint, cast, or possible surgery in a case like this. Other common emergencies in concussions, dislocations, and tendon ruptures

Orthopaedic emergencies that may arise from an existing condition include infections, blood clots, reinjury of damaged tissue or bone, and swelling that affect blood flow.

There is a common misconception that orthopaedic doctors will always recommend orthopaedic surgery, regardless of the condition. While there are certainly cases where surgery is truly imperative, it is not the only type of care offered by orthopaedic specialists.

Non-surgical orthopaedic treatments are usually the first course of action. Your doctor may recommend a wide range of orthopaedic surgery alternatives. Let’s look at a few of them. 

Physical Therapy for Orthopaedic Injuries

Exercise for orthopaedic conditions is one of the most powerful alternatives to surgery. Depending on your medical history and condition, you may find physical therapy offers a comprehensive solution. With a strategic workout plan, you can improve and maintain your strength while increasing your range of motion and flexibility.

Lifestyle Change for Orthopaedic Conditions

In addition to physical therapy, your orthopaedic doctor may recommend improving your diet, walking more, and making other healthy changes to prevent complications with your condition.

Immobilisation for Orthopaedic Trauma 

For certain conditions, your orthopaedic doctor may recommend a cast, splint, or brace to prevent additional damage and help the area heal.

Medication for Orthopaedic Pain

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and aspirin can provide a temporary solution to relieve the pain that often comes with orthopaedic conditions. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroids.

If your injury is severe or doesn't improve with nonsurgical orthopaedic treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery. Keep on reading to see an overview of the most common types of orthopaedic surgery.

Joint Replacement Surgery

When a joint is damaged or diseased, joint replacement surgery may be necessary. Joint replacement surgery is incredibly common, particularly surgeries like hip replacement and knee replacement.

Internal Fixation Surgery

With some types of injuries, your doctor may find that hardware like a screw, pin, or rod is necessary to help your bone stay in place while it’s healing. In this case, you will be recommended for internal fixation surgery.

Fusion Surgery

In the case of injuries where two bones need to be connected, your doctor will recommend fusion surgery. During this surgery, the orthopaedic surgeon will create an internal connection between the bones that will cause them to fuse into one during the healing process.

Release Surgery

To relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and prevent it from getting worse, your doctor may recommend release surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon clips through a ligament to release pressure and allow your hand to open up more.

Soft Tissue Repair Surgery

Soft tissue surgeries are done to improve joint stability. During this procedure, your surgeon can strategically repair muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Osteotomy

A common orthopaedic surgery for arthritis is an osteotomy. During this procedure, the bone is cut and then repositioned to reduce pain after the healing process.

You will find a wide variety of orthopaedic specialists in Singapore. You will see that some orthopaedic doctors are orthopaedic surgeons while others are not. Some orthopaedic doctors specialise in a specific area while others work with all orthopaedic conditions. 

Within the scope of orthopaedic specialities, you will find a range of areas of subspecialty, including these key areas of the body:

• hands
• feet
• ankles
• spine
• hips
• knees
• shoulders 
• elbows

In addition to working with specific areas of the body, some orthopaedic specialists are experts in certain types of injuries and conditions. The two common types of orthopaedic doctors that you will find in Singapore are sports medicine specialists and trauma surgeons.