Sports Injury Management

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Sports Singapore reported that almost 3 out of 4 Singaporeans actively participate in some kind of sporting activity on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, the exhilarating thrill of sports also brings the risk of injuries, such as minor strains and severe fractures. At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we understand how frustrating it is for you when your sporting ambitions have to take a back seat due to injuries. That’s why our clinic is here to support you through our specialised orthopaedic services, from diagnoses to treatment.

What are Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries can happen due to various reasons, including overuse, poor training techniques, inadequate warm-up, and accidental trauma during play. Common sports injuries include strains, sprains, ligament tears, tendonitis, and fractures, potentially leading to nerve injury. Generally, sports injuries can be divided into three categories:

Overuse injuries (e.g. patellar tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, achilles tendinitis): The most common type of sports injury, resulting from excessive, repetitive stress to your body.
Acute soft tissue sprains and strains (e.g. ACL injuries, labral tears of the hip, meniscal tears, patellar subluxation and dislocation, bony and tissue ankle impingement): These injuries often occur due to sudden, forceful changes of direction that result in the overextension of the ligament or muscle.
3. Fractures (e.g. stress fracture, open fracture & closed fracture): These are some of the more severe sports injuries that require immediate intervention. They are often caused by an excessive impact on the bone during sporting activity. While the other injuries can be managed with rest, ice, or physical therapy, fractures demand special attention due to their potential to cause long-term damage if not properly treated.

What are the Treatment Options for Common Sports-Related Injuries?

Although doing first aid yourself, such as bandaging an injured lower leg, may be beneficial, people with severe musculoskeletal injuries should still consult an orthopaedic surgeon to get the specialised help that they deserve.

When patients arrive for their consultation at Alps Orthopaedic Centre, they will undergo a thorough evaluation, including a medical history review, physical examination, and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to help our orthopaedic surgeon assess the nature of the sports injuries.

After a detailed assessment and diagnosis, our orthopaedic surgeon will recommend a tailored treatment plan. The recommended treatment approach depends on factors such as the type and location of the injuries, as well as the patient’s overall health and activity level.

General treatment protocols:

Overuse injuries: Overuse injuries often require a combination of rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and possibly anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and inflammation. Orthopaedic surgeons may recommend targeted exercises, ergonomic adjustments, and surgery.
Acute soft tissue sprains and strains: Acute soft tissue sprains and strains typically involve RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) in the initial stages, followed by progressive rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and flexibility. Orthopaedic surgeons may suggest bracing, splinting, or surgical intervention in severe cases to stabilise the affected area. For instance, in severe cases of ACL injury, surgery will be performed to carefully replace a torn ligament with a graft to facilitate recovery.
Fractures: Fractures require immobilisation through casting, splinting, or surgery, according to the severity and location of the fracture. Orthopaedic surgeons play a crucial role in assessing fracture stability, surgically realigning displaced bones, and monitoring healing progress through imaging and rehabilitation programmes.

What is the Procedure For Surgeries that Treat Sports Injuries?

Severe sports injuries typically warrant surgical treatment. The exact surgical procedure is contingent on the type of sports injury that you have, but in general, it will follow the following steps.

Administration of Anaesthesia: To minimise pain, patients will be anaesthetised during the beginning of the surgery.

Incision(s) Will be Made: In order to access the damaged musculoskeletal area our orthopaedic surgeon will have to create an incision.

The surgical wound will be closed: Finally, he will seal the wound using stitches to promote healing.
Postoperative Care: Following surgery, the patient will be monitored closely in the recovery room and will receive pain medication, antibiotics, and instructions for postoperative care and rehabilitation.

What is the Recovery Process like?

Timeline: After surgical intervention, most fractures take weeks to heal, but this varies tremendously depending on the site of the fracture. Hand and wrist fractures may heal within weeks, whereas a leg fracture may take months before full recovery.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is frequently recommended to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Exercises may focus on the injured area as well as surrounding muscles to prevent stiffness and weakness.
Lifestyle Modifications: Depending on the type of fracture and the extent of surgery, some individuals may need to make lifestyle modifications, like avoiding certain activities or wearing supportive devices, to prevent future injuries. Consuming a diet rich in protein, vitamins C, D, and K supports fracture healing.

Sports injuries, including fractures, are a common problem amongst athletes in Singapore. Thankfully, by receiving specialised treatment early on, regularly attending follow-up appointments and following the advice of their orthopaedic surgeon, many athletes can gradually return to their favourite sports. It’s important for patients undergoing surgery for sports-related fractures to adhere to their orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions regarding postoperative care, rehabilitation, and activity restrictions to optimise recovery and minimise complications.

Visit Alps Orthopaedic Centre

To determine a suitable treatment option for your sports, schedule an appointment with our experienced Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan. Dr Chen is a skilled surgeon with a proven track record in helping numerous athletes in Singapore return to their favourite sport.

References

Lee YS, Park DS, Oh JK, Kim SY. Sports injury type and psychological factors affect treatment period and willingness-to-pay. Medicine. 2020;99(50):e23647. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000023647
Robertson GA, Wood AM. Fractures in sport: Optimising their management and outcome. World Journal of Orthopedics. 2015;6(11):850-863. doi:https://doi.org/10.5312/wjo.v6.i11.850

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Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

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.

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
As a driven and valued member, Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH.
Over the course of his career at SGH, Dr Chen has successfully employed ERAS and reduced the average hospitalisation stay for hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Going through these ERAS day surgeries has benefited more than 2,000 patients thus far, enabling them to suffer from less pain and recover faster.
The Alps team is committed to providing specialised orthopaedic care tailored to your unique condition. We offer comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.