Clavicle fractures can occur during sports and falls onto the shoulders. Patients would present with pain and deformity around the collar bone, and usually a deformity of the shoulder.
Diagnosis is confirmed with the help of X-rays. Possible complications include injury to nerves around the shoulder blade and skin problems at the fracture site.
Depending on the severity, clavicle fractures can be treated in an arm sling, or with surgery. Recovery would normally take at least three months depending on the severity of the injury and compliance to therapy.
Minimally invasive clavicle fixture can treat clavicle fracture. The clavicle (collarbone) is the prominent bone on either side at the front of your shoulders and top of chest. A broken collarbone is a very common fracture especially from contact sports.
In general, most orthopaedic specialist can handle a straight forward joint replacement surgery. A complex joint replacement include cases where there is severe deformities, very limited motion or the primary surgery has gone wrong (due to aseptic loosening, poor alignmet or infection).
As modern medicine improves the lifespan for males and females, patients with previous surgeries and implants who need a joint replacement surgery become very challenging as conventional techniques cannot be used.
Dr Chin Pak Lin had been the key person in handling complex and revision joint replacement surgeries formerly at SGH.
The rotator cuff muscles surround and move the shoulder joint, a tear in the muscle will cause pain and weakness in the shoulder.
Repair of the torn rotator cuff can now be done using keyhole technique with faster recovery, less pain and nicer cosmetic results.
Dr Tan Chyn Hong has even discovered the technique of keyhole rotator cuff repair without using any suture anchors, eliminating the use of any metal, plastic or biodegradable materials.
A shoulder dislocation can result in persistent instability with subsequent multiple dislocations. The shoulder can be stabilized using keyhole technique. This procedure is known as arthroscopic bankart repair. Dr Tan Chyn Hong employs a novel technique that requires only 2 incisions instead of the usual 3 incisions. This new technique is less damaging to surrounding tissues and achieves better cosmetic result.
Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a disorder in which the capsule ( connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint) becomes inflamed and stiff. The patient presents with restriction in shoulder movements and chronic pain. The symptoms can last up to 2 years or more without treatment. The exact cause of the condition is unknown but there is an association with diabetes, stroke and trauma/injury. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, manipulation under general anaesthesia and keyhole ( arthroscopic) release of the tight capsule.
Shoulder joint arthritis is a disorder characterised by pain and stiffness. It can be caused by injury, overuse or unrepaired rotator cuff tears. The cartilage in the joint is worn out and extra bone spurs start to form. Treatment involves medication, physiotherapy, injections into the joint and joint replacement. Joint replacement involves removing the worn out joint surfaces and replacing them with metal and plastic components. After a joint replacement, patient will experience greater range of motion and less pain, improving the overall function of the shoulder.