Trusted Shoulder Specialist In Singapore

Shoulder specialist in Singapore

Can't reach the top shelf without wincing? Get a clear diagnosis and a straightforward plan to move your shoulder freely again.

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What we treat

Shoulder : Treatment and Surgery in Singapore

Can show up as a dull ache with overhead movement, a sharp catch when reaching behind your back, or pain that disturbs sleep on one side.

Icon Shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement

Tendons in the shoulder get pinched during overhead movement, often the reason lifting an arm past shoulder height starts to hurt.

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Icon Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder

Progressive stiffening of the shoulder joint that narrows your range of motion over time, often starting with pain before the stiffness sets in.

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Icon Rotator cuff tear

Rotator cuff tear

Damage to the group of tendons that keep the shoulder joint stable and moving. Can happen suddenly from a fall or lifting injury, or gradually from wear.

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Treatment guide

Which Treatment Should You Consider And When?

Here’s what each condition typically leads to, from straightforward recovery to when surgery enters the conversation.

CONDITION
WHAT IT TYPICALLY LEADS TO
Shoulder Impingement
Usually improves with treatment and activity changes; surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite a proper course of conservative care.
Rotator Cuff Tear
Partial tears often respond to treatment alone. Full tears, especially in an active patient, are more likely to need rotator cuff surgery.
Frozen Shoulder
Improves with treatment over time in most cases, though recovery can be slow; surgery is rarely needed and considered only when stiffness doesn't ease.
General Shoulder Pain
Managed with treatment first, until a specific structural cause is identified that treatment alone can't resolve.
Note: This is a general guide, not a diagnosis. The right starting point depends on symptom duration, severity, and what an assessment finds.

Don’t wait it out

Shoulder Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Some shoulder aches settle with rest. Others signal a problem worth checking. Watch for:

  • Pain that disturbs your sleep, especially lying on that side
  • Difficulty reaching overhead or behind your back
  • Weakness when lifting or carrying everyday objects
  • Stiffness that keeps narrowing your range of motion
  • A catching or grinding sensation during movement
  • Pain that follows a fall, a lifting injury, or a specific incident
  • Shoulder pain that hasn’t improved after a few weeks of rest

How we assess

How We Assess Shoulder Problems

A proper assessment, not guesswork, is where the answer starts.

Conversation

Pain history: when it started, what makes it worse

Physical exam

Range of motion, strength testing, locating the source

Imaging

X-ray or MRI, if needed, to confirm the diagnosis

Treatment plan

A clear path forward, surgical or non-surgical

Dr Gowreeson Thevendran - Orthopaedic Specialist

Meet your specialist

Dr. Gowreeson Thevendran

MBChB (Bristol) · MRCS.Ed · Dip. Sports Med.Ed · FRCS.Ed (Trauma & Ortho.) · FAMS (Singapore)

Dr Gowreeson Thevendran is an orthopaedic surgeon based at Mount Alvernia Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre.

If your shoulder pain keeps interrupting the things you’d rather be doing, an assessment is the clearest way to find out what’s driving it.

Questions patients ask

FAQs

How do I know if my shoulder pain needs a specialist?

Get it checked if it lasts more than one to two weeks, disturbs your sleep, or makes reaching overhead or behind your back difficult.

Do I need surgery for shoulder impingement?

Not always. Most cases improve with treatment and activity changes. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite a proper course of conservative care.

How long does recovery from rotator cuff surgery take?

It varies by patient and the size of the tear, but most follow a structured rehab pathway over several months before returning to full activity.

Is frozen shoulder permanent?

No. It typically improves over time, though recovery can take months. Treatment focuses on managing pain and restoring range of motion along the way.

What's the difference between shoulder impingement and a rotator cuff tear?

Impingement is tendon compression during movement; a tear is structural damage to the tendon itself. An assessment, sometimes with imaging, tells the two apart.

Can a torn rotator cuff heal without surgery?

Smaller or partial tears sometimes improve with treatment alone. Larger or full tears are less likely to heal on their own and are more often considered for surgery.

Consult a Shoulder Specialist in Singapore

If your shoulder pain has been going on for a while, get an assessment sooner rather than later. It’s the first real step toward lasting recovery.

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