Whether you’re dealing with chronic muscle pain, sports injury, or a bone fracture, consulting an orthopaedic doctor can provide valuable expertise and treatment options. An orthopaedic specialist can offer tailored solutions to improve your musculoskeletal health. If you’re experiencing bone injuries, muscle pain, or any issues on your joints, ligaments, nerves and tendons, consulting an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore can be highly beneficial. In Singapore, where healthcare standards are high and surgeons are well-trained, an orthopaedic specialist can offer tailored solutions to improve your musculoskeletal health.
What is an Orthopaedic Specialist?
Orthopaedic specialists play a vital role in diagnosing, treating and managing conditions that affect the body’s musculoskeletal system. These doctors manage a wide array of musculoskeletal issues using non-surgical and surgical methods.
When should I consult with an Orthopaedic Specialist?
A couple of signs and symptoms may indicate the need to consult an orthopaedic specialist:
- Persistent Pain and Discomfort: Chronic pain in the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves or muscle that doesn’t improve over time and with conventional remedies.
- Limited Mobility: Difficulty moving a limb or a joint that hampers your daily activities
- Injuries: Acute injuries like fractures or sprains that require specialized care and attention
- Pre-existing Surgeries: Ongoing or previous complications from musculoskeletal surgeries
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult an orthopaedic specialist to help with the diagnosis of the problem and also provide an effective treatment plan.
What do I expect during the consultation?
When you visit an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore, here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Assessment: The specialist will ask and review about your medical history or previous laboratory results and testing documentation. The doctor will also discuss your symptoms and perform a physical examination or any tests to determine what’s causing the issue.
- Diagnostic Tests: Depending on your condition, the orthopaedic specialist may recommend diagnostic imaging like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans to get a more detailed view of the affected area.
- Treatment Options: Orthopaedic specialists offer a variety of treatment alternatives tailored to your specific needs which may include physical therapy, medication or surgical procedures.
What are the treatment options they usually offer?
In Singapore, orthopaedic experts provide diverse treatment measures that depend on each patient’s unique condition. These specialists offer:
- Non-surgical treatments: These may include exercise, physical therapy, lifestyle adjustment, medications, immobilization techniques such as casts, splints or braces.
- Surgical interventions: For more severe symptoms and cases, surgical options such as joint replacement, internal fixation, osteotomy, fusion, soft tissue repair and release surgery may be recommended.
- Rehabilitation: Post-surgery rehabilitation or post-treatment is vital for overall recovery. Specialists would often work with physiotherapists to create a personalized rehabilitation plan.
What are the benefits in consulting with an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore?
Reaching out to an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore offers several benefits:
- Personalized Care: Specialists provide specific treatment plans based on your tailored needs and conditions. This ensures that a comprehensive approach is applied to reach complete recovery.
- Expertise and Experience: Singapore’s orthopaedic specialists are highly trained and experienced in managing complex musculoskeletal conditions.
For example, Dr. Puah Ken Lee, is a highly accomplished Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Clinic in Singapore. He graduated from the National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, in 2005 and completed his orthopaedic residency as part of SingHealth’s pioneer batch. He was recognized as one of the three best Chief Residents among all the various SingHealth Residency Programs. Dr. Puah has established extensive international training, including partnerships in the USA, France, and Switzerland, specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery, arthroscopy, and sports medicine.
Dr. Puah has honed his expertise under the guidance of world-renowned orthopaedic surgeons:
Dr. Laurent Lafosse – Alps Surgery Institute, Clinique Générale d’Annecy, France
- He completed a prestigious Shoulder and Upper Limb Fellowship. Dr. Lafosse is a pioneer in modern shoulder surgery techniques.
Prof. Dr. med. Ralph Hertel – Lindenhof Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- He undertook an advanced AOTrauma Fellowship. Prof. Hertel is recognized for his contributions to upper limb trauma surgery.
His commitment to excellent orthopaedic care, combined with his diverse international experience and leadership positions, made Dr. Puah a prominent figure internationally and in Singapore’s orthopaedic community. Dr. Puah has widened his expertise through international fellowships at prestigious medical institutions. These experiences include visits to hospitals in China, South Korea, the United States, and the Philippines. By immersing himself in diverse medical environments, Dr. Puah has gained valuable insights into global best practices in orthopaedic surgery. He actively incorporates these perspectives and cutting-edge techniques into his clinical practice, ensuring his patients benefit from the most advanced and comprehensive care available in the orthopaedic field. He has held several academic and leadership positions. Currently, Dr. Puah serves as the Medical Director for the Basketball Association of Singapore and Chair of the Singapore Shoulder & Elbow Society.
- Advanced Technology: Access to state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies improves the precision and efficiency of care.
How to prepare for an appointment?
To make the most of your scheduled consultation, consider the following advices:
- Document your symptoms: Note and keep a detailed record of your symptoms, when they started or triggered, the pain severity and any previous treatments
- Prepare your medical history: Make sure to be ready to discuss your medical history like past injuries or surgeries
- List your questions: Take note of a list of questions you would like to ask your specialist and write them down in a piece of paper or a note application on your mobile such as recovery time, treatment options, potential risks and costs
Consulting with an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore can significantly impact your musculoskeletal health, providing a professional and expert diagnosis, tailored treatment and effective recovery approaches. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or managing a chronic disease, seeing an orthopaedic specialist can help you achieve healthier results and improve your quality of life. With their advanced training and access to cutting-edge technology, these orthopaedic specialists in Singapore are well-resourced to set you on the path to better well-being. Do not let your musculoskeletal pain and injuries hold you back from enjoying your life to the fullest.
If you have any concerns about your musculoskeletal health or need further guidance, reach out to a skilled orthopaedic specialist and take control of your health today.
Dr Puah Ken Lee MBBS (Singapore) MRCSED, MMED (Ortho Surg), FRCSED (Orth), FAMS
Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Clinic
290 Orchard Road
Paragon Medical Centre #07-12
Singapore 238859
Phone (65) 8909 8877
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