Whether they result from one-time events or repetitive strain, orthopaedic conditions can significantly affect a person’s mobility and quality of life. It can be very difficult to understand the real impacts of these conditions unless one has first-hand experience with them, and patients with less visible issues can often suffer in silence (and usually with little sympathy from others).
Fortunately, Singapore has a well-developed healthcare system and most of these conditions can be treated with the aid of a qualified orthopaedic surgeon. Apart from offering direct interventions themselves, these physicians can also educate patients on the recovery process for quicker, more effective healing.
Learning about common orthopaedic conditions and their causes may ultimately help patients and their caretakers better manage the recovery process. To help you understand the typical experiences of orthopaedic patients, we’ve prepared a list of common orthopaedic injuries and the typical interventions used to treat them:
1. Fractures
Fractures commonly result from falls, accidents, or direct blows to the body. Existing conditions like osteoporosis can also increase the risk of fractures in some patients
Treatment Plan: Treatment for fractures typically involves immobilisation of the affected area with casts or splints. In more severe cases, surgery is sometimes required to realign and stabilise the bones with metal plates, screws, or rods. Pain management medications may be given throughout the recovery process to make the patient comfortable and rehabilitation with physiotherapy may be recommended afterwards for restoring function and strength.
2. Joint Dislocations
Dislocations are most often caused by sudden trauma. In particular, vigorous sporting activities and vehicular accidents may force a joint outside of its normal position.
Treatment Plan: Immediately following a dislocation, the joint may be manually repositioned in a process called “reduction.” Depending on the severity of the dislocation, the physician may recommend immobilisation and physiotherapy to restore function and prevent the joint from slipping out of place.
3. Osteoarthritis
While it is often associated with ageing, osteoarthritis can also arise from other causes. Joint overuse and direct trauma to the cartilage are just some of the factors that can contribute to this condition.
Treatment Plan: The treatment and management of osteoarthritis often depends on the specific causes. In most cases however, physicians will recommend pain relief through medications, physical therapy to improve joint function, as well as lifestyle modifications to slow the wear and tear of the joints. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be recommended to enable an acceptable quality of life.
4. Tendonitis
Tendonitis is typically caused by repetitive strain or overuse of a tendon. These injuries are common in sports and manual labour, but can also be a result of such factors as poor posture or typing for long periods.
Treatment Plan: The go-to treatment for mild tendonitis is rest and the application of ice packs. For more moderate cases, anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy may also be included. Meanwhile, severe tendonitis might require corticosteroid injections or surgery.
5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This common condition is often due to repetitive, long-term misalignment of hands and wrists, leading to swelling and compression of the median nerve. This injury is most associated with typing, but it can also happen from using power tools and from other conditions that cause swelling around the median nerve in the wrist, such as obesity.
Treatment Plan: Initial treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include wrist splinting and activity modification. If the problem persists even after lifestyle modifications, anti-inflammatory medications and surgical decompression may be necessary.
6. Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder joint that hold the upper arm bone firmly within the shoulder socket. While rotator cuffs are robust body parts, repetitive overhead activities, heavy lifting, or acute trauma can result in tears, dislocations, and other serious orthopaedic injuries.
Treatment Plan: Sometimes, rotator cuff injuries can be treated with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. Surgery and long-term pain management medications may be necessary for significant tears.
7. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is a thick ligament in the centre of the knee. ACL tears frequently occur in sports involving foot movements with sudden stops and changes in direction, hence this injury’s close association with football and basketball.
Treatment Plan: Common treatments for ACL tears range from physiotherapy and bracing for partial tears to reconstructive surgery for complete tears. In all cases, extensive rehabilitation may be needed to regain sufficient function of the knee.
8. Herniated Disc
Often, spinal discs get herniated spinal discs as the result of lifting heavy objects improperly. However, they can also be caused by ageing-related degradation of the spine.
Treatment Plan: Non-surgical treatments for herniated spinal discs include rest and pain relief. Moderate cases may also require corticosteroid injections and extensive physiotherapy to help recover the lost range of motion. Surgery might be considered if symptoms persist after these treatments.
9. Bursitis
Bursitis is typically caused by repetitive movements or prolonged pressure on a joint, particularly in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. These movements can irritate bursae, or the protective cushioning pads found around joints, causing them to swell.
Treatment Plan: Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physiotherapy are common non-invasive treatments for this type of orthopaedic injury. Severe or chronic cases or bursitis might require corticosteroid injections or surgical drainage to relieve the extra fluid in the bursae.
10. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an often-preventable condition that is often caused by excessive stress on the plantar fascia, the strip of connective tissue that attaches the heel to the forefoot and forms the foot’s arch. Obesity, excessive walking on concrete, and ill-fitting or improper footwear are just some of the many causes that can lead to the micro-tears and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.
Treatment Plan: Common treatments for this condition include rest, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, anti-inflammatory medications, and, in some cases, weight loss. More severe cases may require corticosteroid injections or surgery.
Knowledge Empowers Your Recovery Journey
Patients and individuals who want to avoid these common orthopaedic issues are well advised to understand their main causes. A deeper understanding of these conditions can help with prevention and recovery and may also help when providing care to someone who has an orthopaedic issue. Whether it’s a fracture from a fall or a rotator cuff injury from tennis, knowing what to expect can mitigate the anxiety that often comes with these injuries, improving adherence to medical recommendations, and promoting sustainable recovery.