knee pain Archives - Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Singapore

Take Control of Your Knee Pain

December 15, 2021 by Tony Setiobudi

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)

The knee is the joint connecting the bones of the upper and lower leg. The knee plays an important role in supporting various motions such as walking, running, etc. However, all the parts of the knee; bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are susceptible to disease and injury, thus leading to severe knee pain. Knee pain is often caused by problems occurring from hip. Weak hip muscles may cause more strain on the knee lead to knee pain. Strengthening the muscles around the hip joint can help relieve it. The risk of knee pain can be minimised through some simple home exercise.

However, not to worry as knee pain can be avoided through some simple home exercises. Strengthening your hip and knee through the right combination of hip and knee stretches and exercise can greatly reduce the chances of knee pain.

When you first experience knee pain, especially from a minor injury or arthritis flare up is to carry out the “RICE” protocol — Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. This means that you should Rest your knees, apply Ice indirectly on the skin to reduce swelling, wear a Compression bandage, and keep your knee Elevated.

In addition, you still can take steps to reduce knee pain, after the first instance of knee pain, with strengthening and stretching exercises to improve joint mobility. The right combination of strengthening and stretching exercises can relieve pain by helping to improve joint moves and functions. To ease knee pain, you’ll want to perform exercises that work several different muscles. Here are some exercises to help relieve your knee pain:
1. Hamstrings Exercise

Hamstring Stretching Exercise

2. Quadriceps Strengthening Exercise

Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises

It’s important to do these stretches regularly and do them to the best of your ability for maximum benefit. You should increase the reps when the pain gets better. However, you should stop exercising if you feel unwell and pain persists or worsens and consult with us.

Dr Tony Setiobudi is an Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats bone, joint, muscle and ligament problems in adults and children. He has a special interest in nerve compression and spine problems such as back & neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, spine tumor & infection, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis fracture, spinal stenosis and slipped disc.

High Heels High Risk

December 15, 2021 by Tony Setiobudi

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)

For many women, wearing a pair of high heels is the perfect complement to an already perfect outfit. Research has shown that high heels can negatively affect your long-term spinal health, hips, and knees. However, this does not stop women from wearing them. Why is this such a serious problem?

Try standing barefoot, you can feel your weight being evenly distributed among your sole. Notice the subtle, subconscious adjustments being made at the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back to maintain your upright position. However, this is not the case when wearing heels, where your weight is pressing down towards your toes.

When wearing high heels, the body must adjust its center of gravity. High heels change your walking patterns. After years of wearing high heels, the body will readjust to be used to walking on your tiptoes. Hence you may experience discomfort when wearing flat shoes or walking barefoot.

Research shows that wearing high heels, especially for long periods, alters balance and stability, reduces the range of movement in the lower body muscles and joints. With the habitual wearing of heels, the Achilles tendon and calf muscles is under more pressure. The tendon may shorten, and the muscles can stiffen and reshape, in medical terms, we called it plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

If you feel that you are experiencing back pain or leg pain due to high heels then it may be time to see us about your condition. Contact us to get treatment as early as possible.

Could Long Run Lead to Osteoarthritis?

November 30, 2017 by Tony Setiobudi

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)

Could Long Run Lead to Osteoarthritis?

Many people believe that running is bad for the knee and hip joints. In contrast to what many people believe, running is not only good for our hearts and lungs, it is great for our muscles, bones, and brains as well. In fact, people who run regularly are less likely to develop knee osteoarthritis compared to people with sedentary lifestyle.

Here are some of the benefits of running.

People who run regularly have more ideal body weight. Over weight puts a lot of pressure to the joint and muscles thus they wear out faster.
People who run regularly have stronger muscles. Quadriceps muscles are the stabiliser of the knee joint. The knee joint is more stable and has less wear and tear when the quadriceps muscles are strong.
Exercise helps to release the body anti-inflammatory substances. Osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation in the joint. Thus, exercise can slow down osteoarthritis by reducing the inflammation in the joint.
Exercises helps to produce greater supply of joint fluid (synovial fluid). It acts like a lubricant to the joint reducing the rate of osteoarthritis.

It does not mean that people who run regularly don’t get osteoarthritis. However, they are at a lower risk of getting one.

What can you do to reduce that chance of osteoarthritis if you like running?

Have adequate warm up before exercise so that you don’t strain your muscles
Have proper shoe wear appropriate for running
Run in even surface to reduce the risk of injury

Knee sport injury and ACL tear

February 16, 2017 by Tony Setiobudi

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
“John injured the left knee while playing soccer last month. He heard a “pop” sound when he kicked, followed by severe knee pain and swelling. He was not able to continue soccer. He could not even walk properly. The pain and swelling gradually subsided but his knee gives way when walking.”

Knee injury is very common during sporting activities. Most of injury is mild and does not cause any significant disability. Sometimes, the injury can be significant like in the case above causing knee pain, swelling and instability. The knee pain and swelling usually subsides with time. If the knee gives way, there is high probability that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is torn.

ACL is an important ligament that stabilises the knee. When ACL is not functioning after an injury, the knee becomes unstable. The person is not able to do pivoting movement. High level athletes cannot perform optimally without functioning ACL.

ACL reconstruction surgery is performed to replace the torn ACL. This operation is done with keyhole method. The acl reconstruction operation can be done as a day surgery procedure or the patient can stay one night in the hospital after the operation for observation. Post-operatively, the patient needs to do intensive physiotherapy to have the best result.

Take Control of Your Knee Pain

High Heels High Risk

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)

Could Long Run Lead to Osteoarthritis?

By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)

Knee sport injury and ACL tear

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