Elbow Pain Specialist in Singapore
Elbow pain is a common complaint that frequently is serious enough to impact one’s daily life, limiting the ability to work, participate in sports, or even perform simple tasks like carrying groceries or performing household activities. In this case, consulting an elbow pain specialist in Singapore might be helpful as there are quite a variety of issues that can cause pain in the elbow, and an elbow specialist can then provide expert diagnosis and targeted treatment to help you regain function and alleviate discomfort.
Elbow pain can stem from various conditions, including tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, olecranon bursitis, biceps tendon issues, or a more acute condition like a fracture or dislocation. It’s advisable to seek specialised care for accurate diagnosis and effective management of your condition.
When to See an Elbow Specialist in Singapore
Recognising the signs and seeking timely treatment is the first step in preventing further complications that can arise from leaving the condition untreated. Minor sprains and strains may be managed with simple measures such as icing, applying a compression bandage, or visiting your family doctor for some anti-inflammatory medications. Recurrent or very painful symptoms would warrant a consultation with an elbow pain specialist. Consider seeing a specialist too if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent pain in the elbow joint or surrounding muscles.
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the elbow.
- Difficulty gripping or lifting objects.
- Pain exacerbated by repetitive motions or sports.
- Instability or deformity following an injury.
Early intervention may help improve your chances of an optimal recovery and minimise long-term complications.
Common Elbow Conditions Treated
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition causing pain on the outer side of the elbow. It often results from overuse or repetitive motions, affecting the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outer elbow. Symptoms include pain when gripping objects, turning doorknobs, brushing teeth, or lifting your hand. Importantly, ‘tennis elbow’ is just a name. Most people with this condition do not even play tennis. Treatment may involve physiotherapy, steroid injections, biological tissue-healing injections shockwave therapy, or procedural treatment.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Golfer’s elbow is a similar condition to tennis elbow, but it affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. It is often caused by repetitive motions, such as those involved in golfing or throwing. Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow, weakness in grip strength, and pain that radiates down the forearm. Treatment is similar to tennis elbow and may include physiotherapy, steroid injections, biological tissue-healing injections and shockwave therapy, or procedural treatment.
Olecranon Bursitis
This is a condition that causes inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the promintn bone at the back of the elbow joint. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness in the elbow. Treatment may involve aspiration (draining of the fluid), corticosteroid injections to manage inflammation and pain, or surgical removal of the bursal tissue.
Biceps Tendonitis
This causes pain at the front of the elbow joint, where the biceps tendon joins to the bone. This is common in people who frequent the gym or do weightlifting. Symptoms are typically include pain at the front of the elbow during or shortly after work-out. Treatment methods can include physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, steroid or biological tissue-healing injections.
Elbow Dislocation
An elbow dislocation occurs when the bones that make up the elbow joint are forced out of their normal position. This can be caused by a fall or a direct blow to the elbow. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and deformity of the elbow. This is a serious injury and emergency treatment is required to manipulate and relocate the joint, followed by immobilisation and rehabilitation. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged ligaments or tendons.
Fractures
Elbow fractures are common injuries, especially in children and athletes. They can be caused by falls, direct blows, or twisting injuries. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and inability to move the elbow. Treatment may involve immobilisation with a cast or splint, or bone fracture surgery to realign the bones and stabilise the joint.
Diagnosis of Elbow Conditions
Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective elbow pain treatment. Our elbow specialists in Singapore may use a variety of diagnostic methods to evaluate your condition, including:
- X-rays: To identify fractures, dislocations, and other bone abnormalities.
- MRI scans: To visualise soft tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and detect issues of the cartilage or synovium
- Physical examination: To assess range of motion, stability, and identify areas of tenderness. Physical examination is an important part of the overall assessment and adds to the specialist’s understanding of the condition.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Elbow Pain
In mildercases, elbow pain may be addressed with non-surgical treatments, such as:
Physiotherapy:
To strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore joint function by compensating for injured or painful parts. Physiotherapy also includes Shockwave Treatment, which can be done for Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow .
Injections:
Steroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain in conditions like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. Another type of injections are injections of tissue-healing stimulants to promote natural healing processes.
Bracing or splinting:
To provide support, stability, and pain relief.
Surgical Solutions for Elbow Pain
In more severe cases, or cases which do not respond to simple treatments, that don’t respond to non-surgical treatments, our elbow pain specialists may recommend surgical intervention. Some of the common surgical procedures include:
- Arthroscopic surgery: Minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and a camera to repair ligaments or remove loose fragments.
- Mini-Open surgery: Minor procedures which are done through small incisions, as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow surgery.
- Open surgery: For complex fractures, or severe ligament injuries.
Recovery and Rehabilitation for Elbow Pain
Recovering from an elbow injury requires time, dedication, and a tailored rehabilitation plan. A particular issue with the elbow joint is that it can be prone to stiffness or reduced movement of the joint after an injury. Recovery requires a personalised approach that balances the need to regain motion quickly against the need to rest the elbow to allow internal healing. Whether you’ve undergone non-surgical or surgical treatment, our elbow pain specialists will guide you through each stage of recovery, helping you regain optimal function and preventing future complications.
Initial Phase
Immediately after your elbow injury treatment, the focus is on protecting the elbow and reducing pain and inflammation. This may involve:
- Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate your elbow.
- Ice: Applying ice packs to reduce swelling.
- Compression: Using a bandage to provide support and reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Keeping your elbow raised to minimise swelling.
- Pain medications: As prescribed by your doctor, to manage pain and discomfort.
- Immobilisation: Wearing a sling, splint, or brace to restrict movement and promote healing.
Rehabilitation Phase
Once your elbow condition has begun to stabilise, our elbow pain specialists will recommend a rehabilitation programme to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion. This may include:
- Physiotherapy: Working with a physiotherapist to perform specific exercises that improve muscle strength, flexibility, and joint mobility.
- Occupational therapy: If your injury affects your ability to perform daily tasks, an occupational therapist can help you adapt activities and regain independence.
- Gradual return to activity: Slowly increasing your activity levels as your elbow heals, under the guidance of our specialists
Long-Term Management
Even after you’ve regained full function, it’s advisable to take steps to prevent future elbow injuries. This may include:
- Maintaining good posture during activities: Proper posture reduces strain on your elbow joint. For example, when typing, the seat should be at an appropriate height such that the elbows just rest lightly on the table.
- Using proper technique during sports and activities: Incorrect technique can increase your risk of elbow injuries.
- Warming up before exercise: Preparing your muscles for activity helps prevent strains and sprains.
- Strengthening exercises: Regularly performing exercises that strengthen the muscles around your elbow can provide support and stability.
- Listening to your body: Paying attention to pain signals and avoiding activities that aggravate your elbow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Pain Treatment
How is tennis elbow different from golfer’s elbow?
While both are overuse injuries causing pain and inflammation, they affect different areas. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) impacts the outside of the elbow, often causing pain when gripping or extending your wrist. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the inside of the elbow, causing pain when gripping or flexing your wrist. The location of the pain helps differentiate between the two.
What are the surgical options for elbow fractures?
Surgical options for elbow fractures depend on the type and severity of the fracture. Our elbow specialists in Singapore might recommend fracture fixation, joint replacement, or arthroscopy, depending on your condition. The doctor will also consider your condition before recommending a suitable surgical option.
How long does it take to recover from elbow surgery?
Recovery time varies based on factors like the type of surgery, severity of the injury, and individual factors such as age and overall health. Generally, the first two weeks focus on wound healing, pain management, and gradual movement restoration. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy may be necessary to help you regain strength, flexibility, and function in the elbow, and this phase may last several weeks to months.
Is elbow pain treatment covered by insurance or Medisave?
Elbow pain treatment in Singapore may be covered by insurance or Medisave, depending on your policy and the type of treatment. Our orthopaedic clinic can assist you with insurance claims and Medisave procedures.