What Can I Expect At My First Visit With Dr. Ong?

At your first appointment with Dr. Ong, he will evaluate your medical history and the pain you are experiencing.

Depending on the symptoms you have, he will likely perform diagnostic imaging tests (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately. X-rays and CT scans are useful to rule out bone problems, whilst an MRI scan is excellent for looking at soft tissue (e.g. tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) problems.

After assessing your condition, Dr. Ong will recommend a personalized treatment plan that is specific to your needs. This may include surgical or non-surgical treatment options.

What Happens After Surgery?

Post-surgical care is crucial in ensuring speedy and complete recovery in your shoulder. It is important to follow all instructions your doctor gives you.

Some important instructions you should be aware of include:

• Take your medication as instructed
• Wear the arm sling as instructed for at least 6 weeks following your surgery
• Ice your shoulder frequently, especially during the first week following the surgery
• Do physical therapy exercises as instructed. These exercises aim to promote strength in your shoulder and help recover the full range of motion in your shoulder

What Is The Recovery Time After Surgery?

The recovery from a rotator cuff surgery generally takes about 4 to 6 months, depending on the size and severity of the tear.

Rehabilitation is the most important part of post-surgery recovery. Physical therapy will help you regain strength in your shoulder and recover the full range of motion in your shoulder in the shortest time possible.

Are There Any Risks And Complications Of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery?

Most patients recover completely after surgery. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications involved.

Some possible complications associated with a rotator cuff repair surgery include:

• Complications to adjacent nerves and blood vessels
• Infection at the surgical site
• Shoulder stiffness, which will usually resolve itself in due time

It is also possible to re-injure your repairs. The risk of retears increases along with the original size of the torn rotator cuff. Therefore, you should always take precautions and minimize overexertion in your shoulder.

Can I Claim My Treatments Through My Medisave Account? (For Singaporeans and PR)

Yes, you can. Our Clinic is an accredited day surgery clinic by the Ministry of Health. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may use their Medisave for consultations, eligible orthopaedic procedures, and medications at our clinic.

The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure. If you have any enquiries, feel free to speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your Medisave account.

General wear and tear

As you get older or participate in activities that involve repetitive motions, the general wear and tear on your shoulder can cause a rotator cuff injury.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons in your rotator cuff resulting from overuse or overload. This condition is common in athletes who participate in overhead sports such as swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Bursitis

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) between your shoulder joint and rotator cuff tendons. It can occur when you repeat the same movement frequently such as lifting something over your head or throwing a baseball.

Tendon strain or tear

A partial or full tear can occur in your tendon during an abrupt injury or because of repetitive motion. Untreated tendonitis can also result in a tendon tear. A rotator cuff tear causes pain, weakness, and the inability to move the arm freely in its full range of motion.

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when the rotator cuff rubs against the bones in your shoulder. As your tendons become injured and start swelling, you may experience persistent pain. Left untreated, shoulder impingement can lead to rotator cuff tears.

Non-Surgical Treatments For Rotator Cuff Injuries in Singapore

The first phase of treatment is often conservative and non-surgical. In most cases, patients see significant improvements with non-surgical treatment options.

Anti-inflammatory Oral Medications

When the rotator cuff becomes damaged, the first line of treatment is to take anti-inflammatory oral medications and pain relievers to help ease your discomfort as you recover.

It is also beneficial to ice and rest the shoulder joint. The ice can help subside the swelling in your rotator cuff. It is also important to avoid too much movement as it could aggravate the injury.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the treatment of injury and disease using non-invasive techniques. It focuses on improving your ability to move and function without pain, hence enhancing your quality of life.

Rotator cuff exercises performed during physiotherapy sessions aid in the strengthening of your shoulder muscles. As you build strength in your shoulder muscles, pain can be reduced and your shoulder function can be improved. It also helps to reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

Surgical Options For Rotator Cuff Injuries in Singapore

If your symptoms do not improve with physiotherapy and other conservative methods, you may need to consider surgical options to treat your rotator cuff injury.

There are 3 surgical techniques commonly used to repair torn rotator cuffs: open surgery, arthroscopic surgery, and mini-open surgery. Dr. Ong will assess your symptoms in detail before recommending the right surgical option for your injury.

Open Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

This form of surgery is generally recommended for patients with large and complex tears. It is also required if patients need reconstruction procedures.

How does the open rotator cuff repair work?
An open rotator cuff surgery requires the surgeon to draw an incision that is several centimeters long. This step is necessary for the surgeon to move a large shoulder muscle out of the way in order to repair the torn tendon.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

An arthroscopic repair is often performed for patients who suffer from a torn rotator cuff of smaller than 3 centimeters in length. It is the least invasive procedure among the 3 options.

How does the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair work?
During the operation, your surgeon will insert an arthroscope along with other surgical instruments via multiple small incisions.

The surgery involves different incisions that are less than 1 centimeter each, translating to a faster recovery with minimal pain and reduced risk of complications.

Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

This technique involves a combination of arthroscopic and open surgery. It is highly suitable for patients who have more than one torn rotator cuff tendon. Compared to open repair surgery, the mini-open operation is considered less invasive where the incision is approximately 3 to 5 centimeters long.

How does the mini-open rotator cuff repair work?

The first part of this procedure uses an arthroscope to gauge the severity of the injury, cut away existing bone spurs, and remove any loose cartilage. After this, your surgeon will make a mini-open incision for direct visual assessment to repair the torn rotator cuff.