A Guide to Orthopaedic Treatments and Specialists in Singapore

Are you dealing with pain or a nagging discomfort that limits your movement and affects your quality of life? Orthopaedic medicine is here to help! This specialised field focuses on maintaining and restoring the health of your musculoskeletal system, the complex network that supports your body’s movement and activity. When this system is compromised, it can lead to significant pain and mobility issues.

The good news is that Singapore is renowned for its advanced medical care. We have access to top-tier orthopaedic specialists and state-of-the-art facilities. Whether you need non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and medication or surgical interventions like joint replacements and spinal surgeries, Singapore’s orthopaedic experts offer comprehensive and personalised care.

Ready to explore the range of orthopaedic treatments and choose the right for you? Here is your guide to orthopaedic treatments and specialists in Singapore.

Understanding Orthopaedics: An Overview

Your body is extraordinarily complex and, for proper comprehensive treatment, it is essential to work with specialists. One such speciality is orthopaedic medicine which focuses on the smooth operation of your body’s foundation: the musculoskeletal system. This intricate network of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage is what allows you to move and stay active. When this system isn’t working, it can cause orthopaedic pain and limit your mobility. This is where orthopaedic medicine steps in.

Orthopaedic specialists play a crucial role in keeping you moving. They diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system. From the sudden pain of a sports injury to the chronic discomfort of arthritis, orthopaedic specialists can help improve your quality of life. Whether it’s a broken bone needing repair or chronic back pain requiring management, orthopaedic medicine offers a variety of treatment options.

In many cases, non-surgical orthopaedic treatments like medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications can effectively deal with musculoskeletal issues. However, in some situations, orthopaedic surgery might be necessary. Orthopaedic surgeons are specialised professionals who perform complex procedures ranging from joint replacements to minimally invasive surgeries.

Common Orthopaedic Conditions in Singapore

Singapore’s active and ageing population faces a unique set of orthopaedic challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting people in Singapore:

Lower Back Pain: This is a widespread problem affecting people of all ages. Injuries to muscles and ligaments in the lower back often cause pain. It can also stem from underlying conditions like disc herniation or spinal stenosis.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (often called wear-and-tear arthritis) and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease) are common causes of joint pain and stiffness. Arthritis most often affects your knees, hips, hands, and spine.

Osteoporosis: This common condition weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures. It’s particularly prevalent among older adults, especially women.

Sprains and Strains: These are injuries to ligaments and tendons, respectively. Sprains are ligament stretches or tears, while strains involve muscle tears. These are common sports injuries but can also happen from everyday activities.

Fractures: Broken bones can occur due to falls, accidents, or osteoporosis. Treatment depends on whether it is a stress fracture or an osteoporosis fracture.

Diagnostic Procedures in Orthopaedics

Orthopaedic specialists have a range of diagnostic tools to help diagnose the cause of joint pain. When you go to see an orthopaedic doctor, you can expect a physical examination and potentially imaging tests.

Physical Examinations: What to Expect

When you seek orthopaedic treatment in Singapore by a specialist, they will assess your range of motion, strength, tenderness, and any visible swelling or deformity. After the examination, your doctor may recommend an imaging test.

Here is a look at some of the common imaging tests for orthopaedic issues:

X-rays: These provide a basic picture of your bone and help identify fractures, arthritis, and bone abnormalities.

CT Scans: Offering more detailed cross-sectional images, CT scans can show fractures, and bone tumours, and pinpoint the location of problems within joints. It also includes CT cardiac scan, which can help diagnose if you have any heart issues typically arising from chest pain.

MRIs: Using strong magnetic fields and radio waves, MRIs create detailed images of soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, and cartilage. This helps diagnose tears, inflammation, and other abnormalities.

Ultrasounds: These tests use sound waves to create real-time images of your muscles, tendons, and fluid-filled sacs. This is helpful for diagnosing sprains, strains, and bursitis.

Bone Scans: This imaging technique helps detect bone infections, fractures, and tumours.

Electromyography (EMG): This test measures the electrical activity of your muscles and nerves, which helps in the diagnosis of nerve problems and muscle weakness.

If you’d like to learn more about the differences between MRI and CT scan, check out this article by Radlink.

By using a combination of these diagnostic tools, orthopaedic specialists can accurately identify the underlying cause of your pain or limited mobility.

Non-Surgical Orthopaedic Treatments

For less severe cases, non-surgical orthopaedic treatments are the first choice for managing pain, weakness, or limitations in your movement.

Here’s a look at some of the most common non-surgical orthopaedic treatments:

Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can help manage pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy: This plays a crucial role in rehabilitation and pain management. Orthopaedic physical therapists design personalised exercise programmes to improve your strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance.

Bracing and Splinting: Braces and splints will give support and stability to your injured or weakened joints, which promotes healing and helps to prevent further injury.

Casting: In case of a fracture, a cast will be used to immobilise your bone and promote proper healing.

Injections: Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation and pain in joints and around your tendons. In some cases, hyaluronic acid injections are helpful in improving lubrication in arthritic joints.

Lifestyle Modifications: Maintaining a healthy weight, focusing on good posture, and using proper ergonomics can significantly reduce stress on your joints and muscles.

Heat and Ice Therapy: Applying heat helps to relax your muscles and ease stiffness, while ice therapy will reduce pain and inflammation.

Activity Modification: Getting plenty of rest and reducing activities will help to avoid worsening the issue.

By embracing non-surgical approaches, orthopaedic specialists can help you effectively manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions so that you can regain mobility and improve your quality of life.

Surgical Orthopaedic Treatments

When non-surgical treatments aren’t enough, orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore can offer a variety of options to address musculoskeletal issues. Here are the most common surgical interventions:

Joint Replacements: This is a life-changing procedure for severely damaged joints, and it is most commonly done for the knee and hip. Orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore are renowned for minimally invasive techniques that offer faster recovery times.

Fracture Repair: Complex fractures or those requiring precise alignment may require surgical intervention. Orthopaedic surgeons use plates, screws, pins, or rods to fix broken bones and promote proper healing.

Spinal Surgery: This can include a range of procedures to address conditions like disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or spinal deformity. Techniques like minimally invasive microdiscectomy or complex spinal fusions are performed based on the specific issue. Since this is a complex procedure, it is essential to connect with a leader in the industry.

Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive surgical technique uses a tiny camera and specialised instruments to diagnose and treat joint problems like torn ligaments, meniscus tears, or inflamed tissues.

Sports Medicine Surgery: Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in procedures to repair sports injuries like ligament reconstruction (ACL reconstruction), rotator cuff repair, or cartilage restoration techniques.
Hand and Wrist Surgery: This covers a wide range of procedures, from carpal tunnel release for nerve compression to complex microsurgery for delicate hand injuries.

Foot and Ankle Surgery: Orthopaedic surgeons can get rid of bunions, hammertoes, and other foot deformities, as well as ankle ligament repairs and reconstructive surgeries.

Tumour Resection: In some cases, surgical removal of bone or soft tissue tumours may be necessary. Orthopaedic surgeons work alongside oncologists to offer comprehensive treatment.

These are just some of the surgical procedures performed by orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore. With advancements in technology and surgical techniques, these interventions offer improved outcomes, faster recovery times, and better pain management for patients.

Choosing the Right Orthopaedic Specialist

Selecting the right orthopaedic specialist in Singapore is crucial for receiving the best care for your musculoskeletal condition. Here are some key factors to consider during your search:

Qualifications and Experience: Verify the doctor’s board certification in orthopaedic surgery and their area of sub-specialisation if applicable. Look for someone with experience treating your specific condition.

Reputation and Reviews: Research online reviews from previous patients and check with your primary care physician for recommendations.

Communication Style: Choose an orthopaedic doctor who listens attentively to your concerns, explains your condition clearly, and involves you in the decision-making process.

Hospital affiliation and Facilities: Consider the location, convenience, and technology available at the hospital or clinic where the surgeon practices.

Cost and Insurance Coverage: Understand the associated costs of treatment and ensure your insurance plan covers the procedures or treatments offered by the specialist.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision and feel confident in choosing the right orthopaedic specialist to address your specific needs.

Cost of Orthopaedic Treatment in Singapore

Orthopaedic treatments in Singapore can vary depending on the procedure and hospital type (public vs. private). Here is a general overview of average costs for common procedures.

Procedure	Public Hospitals Cost	Private Hospitals Cost
Total Knee Replacement	$5,329 to $22,389	$34,531
Total Hip Replacement	Varies	$30,000 to $35,000
Shoulder Replacement	Varies	$20,000 to $25,000
Spinal Fusion Surgery	Varies	$25,000 to $30,000
Arthroscopy	Varies	$7,000 to $10,000

Editor’s Choice: Top Orthopaedic Clinics and Hospitals in Singapore

Singapore is a renowned hub for advanced medical care, and orthopaedics is no exception. If you’re experiencing bone, joint, muscle, or movement-related issues, you have access to a wide range of highly qualified specialists and facilities.