How can a Knee Pain Treatment Specialist help me?

BY: Jec Paras
October 31, 2022
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If you are currently experiencing knee pain Singapore, the best course of action would be to see a specialist. As stated here, there are several causes and types of knee pain which are difficult to determine on our own – and if we choose to leave knee pain untreated, it can get progressively worse very quickly even if we do not take part in extreme physical activity. A Singapore knee pain specialist will be able to provide suitable treatment for you to recover to full health, and give you personalised instructions according to your current lifestyle; you might not be able to obtain credible advice on knee pain Singapore from other sources like the Internet alone.

Treatments Offered By a Knee Pain Specialist in Singapore:

For ACL Injuries

Injuries (usually tears) to the ACL – anterior cruciate ligament – an important ligament in your knee, usually occur upon a sudden twisting of the joint in another direction. If your ACL is torn, your knee will start to swell and you will find it difficult to stand up straight without support. Often, other ligaments and muscles in your knee may be injured as well when the ACL tears. You should see a Singapore knee pain specialist as soon as possible before the ACL and other muscles are damaged further.

Treatment for the ACL may or may not involve surgery. For non-surgical treatment, your knee pain treatment specialist may advise you to wear a brace to support your knee, and/or refer you to a therapist who will lead you through physical therapy exercises (which must be done regularly) to regain your knee’s previous range of motion. It should be noted that non-surgical treatment allows lesser freedom of movement of the knee as it is difficult for the ACL to heal completely on its own. Non-surgical treatment is suited for those who only wish to exercise lightly, such as walking.

On the other hand, surgical treatment is more likely to reduce the risk of re-injuring the ACL and ensures greater stability of the knee. Hence those looking to resume taking part in vigorous sports on a regular basis will usually opt for surgery, which involves reconstruction: replacement of the torn or damaged ACL with a tendon called a graft. The tendon could be taken from your own knee (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). The ACL surgery would be done by making incisions in the injured knee, then inserting the necessary instruments and a small camera inside to perform the surgery. After the ACL reconstruction surgery, you would still have to undergo physical rehabilitation and therapy, but you should be able to go back to playing sports within 6 to 12 months. Please discuss with your knee pain specialist in Singapore which option is best for you. [1]

For Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis occurs most often in athletes who play jumping sports like basketball. The patellar tendon becomes overstressed as it is not given a chance to heal, and the affected individual not resting and continuing to participate in vigorous physical activity. Advised treatment for patellar tendonitis is non-surgical, such as wearing a brace for additional support while the patellar tendon heals, and regularly doing stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent the tendon from wearing away due to inactivity. If needed, pain relievers like ibuprofen are able to provide temporary pain relief.

However, if you wish to opt for surgery for patellar tendonitis, you may try corticosteroid injections, where a pain reliever is injected into your knee near the patellar tendon. This procedure may be riskier as it has shown more occurrences of weakening tendons. Oscillating needle procedure is also relatively new, where a small needle is guided to only cut away damaged tissue and leave healthy tendons uncut via ultrasound imaging, but results have been promising. Do contact your knee pain specialist in Singapore to check if they offer surgery for patellar tendonitis, and which types.

For Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage and fluid between the two bones in your leg (femur, thigh bone and tibia, shin bone) have worn away over time. This causes increased friction between the two bones and they rub against each other, eventually leading bone spurs (extra bits of bone) and severe knee pain. Treatments for knee osteoarthritis include genicular nerve ablation, where a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agent will be injected around the genicular nerve branches in the knee, then the nerves responsible for the pain will be burnt off by using radiofrequency energy. Viscosupplementation is also an option, where hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee to boost its concentration level in the knee joint, as a lower level of hyaluronic acid speeds up the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis as well. [3]

Both procedures are relatively pain-free and non-invasive, meaning a shorter recovery time (under observation) so you can go home a few hours after the surgery, and less chances of surgical scars on your knees. Do note that pain relief treatments for knee osteoarthritis are rarely permanent as its primary cause is wear and tear, which means it worsens with physical activity that stresses your knees. [4]

Where I Should Go:

Knee pain Singapore should never be ignored, as it may be a sign of serious knee conditions which worsen over time. You can do a quick search for Singapore knee treatment specialists who offer these specific treatments. Our clinic offers non-invasive treatments for knee osteoarthritis (genicular nerve ablation and viscosupplementation) as well as other options, so feel free to book an appointment with our knee pain treatment specialist today!