- Mt Elizabeth (Orchard) #06-05
- (65) 9088 4555
- Mt Elizabeth (Orchard) #06-05
- (65) 9088 4555
The shoulder is essential for movement, and pain can significantly affect daily activities. That’s why accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment and preventing long-term complications.
In Singapore, many experience severe shoulder pain without understanding the cause. This is common because the shoulder’s complex structure makes it prone to unnoticed injuries.
To address the issue, visit an orthopaedic clinic in Singapore. An orthopaedic specialist understands the shoulder’s intricate nature and can treat common complex injuries like shoulder dislocations and rotator cuff tears.
Imagine facing each day with severe shoulder pain. Simple tasks like brushing teeth, dressing, or even driving may become challenging or painful. If the pain persists over time, it can reduce the quality of life as more serious issues arise, such as permanent numbness or loss of motion.
Therefore, it’s crucial not to ignore your pain. While a shoulder injury may not always be visible, pain could indicate an underlying issue, ranging from a minor muscle strain to a more serious tendon injury (such as a rotator cuff tear) or a shoulder dislocation.
Common causes of shoulder injury include the overuse of the shoulder, trauma, or sports injuries.
If you experience sudden or persistent shoulder pain, see an orthopaedic specialist for a professional evaluation. An early diagnosis can prevent more serious issues.
Your shoulder is made up of three key bones:
These bones are connected by a network of soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the joint capsule) that work together to allow your arm its full range of motion.
When the shoulder joint is dislocated, the ball at the top of the humerus is forced out of its socket in the scapula. This often results from sudden trauma, such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident.
In such cases, dislocated shoulder symptoms are hard to miss and may include:
If you experience a shoulder dislocation, treat it as an emergency and seek immediate medical help. You should also follow these steps to prevent further complications:
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that connect to form tendons, creating a protective cover around the head of the humerus. Its primary function is to keep the humeral head in place and stabilise the shoulder. Additionally, the rotator cuff links the humerus to the shoulder blade and assists in lifting and rotating the arm.
A rotator cuff injury typically indicates one or more tendon tears, which can be of either type:
Unlike a dislocation, which often occurs suddenly, a rotator cuff tear can be acute or chronic. Common causes include overuse injuries from sports (e.g., tennis, swimming), age-related degeneration, and sudden heavy lifting.
When a tear occurs, patients typically experience:
For more severe injuries, rotator cuff repair may be necessary, especially if the tear is large or has caused significant damage to the shoulder muscles.
| Shoulder Dislocation | Rotator Cuff Tear | |
| Injury Area | The ball of the humerus pops out of place, causing a joint dislocation. | The tendon covering the humerus is strained and possibly detached, resulting in a torn tendon. |
| Cause | Often caused by acute trauma. | Acute injury or degeneration over time. |
| Symptoms | Includes common shoulder injury symptoms such as pain and loss of mobility. However, distinct symptoms include: | |
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| |
| Diagnosis | Involves similar diagnostic tests, including physical examinations and imaging. | |
| Treatment Options | Generally, it includes repositioning the shoulder, immobilisation, and rehabilitation. | Frequently involves physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatments, or surgery. |
While there are defining symptoms for different shoulder injuries, they may not always be apparent in patients. Most of the time, an evaluation by an orthopaedic specialist is required to pinpoint the cause.
Shoulder injuries are often complex, with severe trauma causing multiple issues, such as a dislocation that can happen with a rotator cuff tear simultaneously. Proper shoulder injury diagnosis ensures all injuries are promptly addressed and minimises the risk of re-injury, complications, and prolonged recovery.
To ensure proper treatment for your shoulder pain, an orthopaedic examination is typically needed for an accurate diagnosis. An orthopaedic specialist will check your medical history, perform a physical assessment, and may use diagnostic imaging, such as:
Patients with dislocated shoulders should seek immediate medical help. Under the care of a medical expert, they will receive urgent orthopaedic care, which may involve relocating the shoulder back into place (shoulder reduction) or providing a sling or brace to immobilise and stabilise the joint.
If non-surgical treatments do not improve the condition or if dislocations recur, you may need to discuss alternative treatments, including surgery, with your specialist. Regardless of the treatment approach, physiotherapy is typically recommended to help regain strength and mobility in the shoulder.
Patients are typically recommended non-surgical treatments for mild tears, such as rest, icing, and pain relief medication. This is often coupled with physical therapy to improve shoulder mobility. For eligible patients, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be used to treat rotator cuff tears.
For more severe tears, rotator cuff surgery may be required for tendon repair. Patients may undergo arthroscopic repair, tendon transfer, or open surgery for large tears depending on the severity. After surgery, patients will need shoulder rehabilitation to restore function, along with careful pain management.
Whether you’re an office worker, an active individual, or an athlete, taking care of your shoulder to prevent long-lasting injuries is essential. Here are some useful tips:
If you experience shoulder pain or have had a previous injury, schedule a checkup with your orthopaedic specialist.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain and seeking a specialist, visit Alps Orthopaedic Centre at Orchard. Our medical director, Dr Jerry Chen, is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore, with over 500 successful surgeries and a wealth of expertise in treating shoulder conditions.
At Alps, we use evidence-based surgical treatments for shoulder pain to ensure you receive optimal care. Dr Chen stays at the forefront of recent orthopaedic research, incorporating techniques like including minimally invasive approaches into patient care. Our experienced team is committed to delivering personalised musculoskeletal care focused on your recovery and satisfaction.
If you have symptoms of a shoulder injury and are looking for shoulder pain relief, book an appointment with Dr Jerry Chen, the Medical Director and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Singapore’s Alps Orthopaedic Centre. You will receive prompt medical evaluation and specialised treatment, helping your shoulder to heal.
A dislocated shoulder cannot heal independently and would require an orthopaedic consultation for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Recovery varies for each individual, usually varying between 3 to 6 months.
If you experience persistent shoulder pain, swelling, or abnormalities in shoulder movement, consult an orthopaedic specialist promptly. Remember that shoulder injury recovery can be lengthy, and early diagnosis helps avoid complications.
Surgery is not necessary for all patients and will be based on the severity of the rotator cuff tear.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
