Written by Dr Gowreeson Thevendran, MBChB (Bristol), MRCS.Ed, Dip. Sports Med.Ed, FRCS.Ed (Trauma & Ortho. ), FAMS (Singapore)
Causes of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries commonly occur while exercising or engaging in sports. Children may be more susceptible to these injuries, especially when involved in sports and outdoor play. However, this is not only limited to athletes. It can happen to individuals who are active and involved in strenuous tasks, like factory workers and gardeners. In Singapore, the common causes include:
- Overuse: This not only happens to athletes or those who exercise regularly. It can happen to individuals who work in manual labour. Overexerting a certain area of your body without sufficient breaks can lead to chronic injuries.
- Hyperextension: Proper form is essential when conducting any strenuous task, whether it’s exercise or manual labour. Improper posture or exercise technique can lead to accidents or strain that can gradually turn severe over time if not addressed right away.
- Inadequate Warm-up: Starting a new exercise programme or increasing the physical activity that your body is not accustomed to can put you at risk of sports injuries. To avoid such a situation, you are advised to condition your body gradually to execute these exercises or activities so your body is in optimal shape.
- Improper Use of Equipment: For some tasks, exercises, or sports, safety equipment is provided for a reason. It is important that you have the proper equipment to perform your physical activity or that the safety equipment you use is fully functional.
Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can be classified into acute and chronic categories. Acute injuries may occur suddenly, such as from a fall or a direct impact, while chronic injuries may develop over time due to repetitive stress on a body part. These injuries can affect various body parts, including muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. Some common types include:
- Strains and sprains
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Tendonitis
Symptoms of Sports Injuries
Recognising the signs of a sports injury is crucial. Key symptoms may include:
- Pain and tenderness in the affected area
- Swelling and bruising
- Limited movement
- Weakness or instability
- Numbness or tingling sensations
Early Treatment for Sports Injuries
The approach to treating sports injuries varies with the severity. For minor injuries, the following conservative treatments can be helpful:
- RICE: This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, a method that’s recommended to help manage the pain, swelling, and inflammation of soft tissue injuries.
- Prescription Oral and Topical Anti-Inflammatory Medications: These medications may help relieve short-term pain and reduce swelling in the affected area.
- Immobilisation: This may help prevent further damage to the affected area by limiting its movement to help manage swelling, muscle spasms, and pain.
For severe cases, you may be required to undergo a specific treatment plan or surgery to help you regain your ability to function physically.
Common Sports Injuries
Ankle Fractures
This is usually caused by traumas in the ankle when engaging in sports or other physical activities. Often, medical conditions and repetitive forces, like running, can put you at risk of fractures. Symptoms may include ankle pain or tenderness when touching the ankle bone. An ankle fracture specialist can examine the severity of your ankle and provide the necessary treatment to help you get back on your feet.
Achilles Tendonitis
This is a common sports injury where a lot of strain is put on the Achilles tendon, which results in its wear and tear over time. Runners or individuals who engage in physical activities that involve a lot of running are at risk of developing this sports injury. Common symptoms include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, resulting in swelling, pain and irritation. When experiencing severe symptoms, it’s recommended that you get Achilles tendonitis treatment in Singapore right away.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Also known as RSI, these injuries occur because of repetitive movements or overuse of a particular part of your body. Patients in Singapore who engage in manual labour or sports with excessive sports may risk developing repetitive strain injury on the back or other areas of the upper body. Common symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, or limited range of motion in the affected area.
Ankle Sprains
When the ligaments that support the ankle joint are stretched or torn due to the rolling or twisting motion of the ankle, this may result in an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains have three degrees:
- Grade I is the least severe condition, with small tears in the stretched ankle.
- Grade II is when the sprains are moderate, with only partial tears in the ligament.
- Grade III sprains are the most severe when the ligament has a complete tear.
When this happens, seeking immediate sprained ankle treatment in Singapore is advisable.
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a cartilage in the knee responsible for cushioning and stabilising your knee joint and protecting your bones from wear and tear. When you forcefully twist or rotate your knee during an exercise or a physical activity, this may result in the injury or tear of one of these pieces of cartilage. Though athletes are at a higher risk of experiencing Meniscus injury, this can occur in anyone, especially those who constantly kneel and lift heavy objects.
Specialist Sports Treatments
We understand that each sport presents varying challenges and risks to athletes and enthusiasts alike. Our approach to treatment will differ based on the specific needs of each individual for optimal recovery and rehabilitation.
Sports-Specific Physiotherapy
Recognising that a runner's needs differ from a swimmer's, the physiotherapy programmes are designed to target and strengthen the specific muscle groups and joints most affected by your sporting activity. This approach not only aids in recovery but also in enhancing your performance and preventing future injuries.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools
We employ various diagnostic tools to help pinpoint the exact nature and extent of your injury. From high-resolution imaging to dynamic functional assessments, our diagnostic capabilities allow us to understand the root cause of your condition, enabling a targeted treatment plan that's suitable for you.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Understanding that surgery is not always the preferred route for everyone, we may recommend non-surgical options designed to help alleviate pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life. These may include physiotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. However, for cases where surgery may be necessary, the sports surgeon will walk you through the process for an optimal outcome.
Dr Gowreeson Thevendran
MBChB (Bristol), MRCS.Ed, Dip. Sports Med.Ed, FRCS.Ed ( Trauma & Ortho. ), FAMS (Singapore)
Dr Gowreeson Thevendran is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore who specialises in lower limb orthopaedic conditions, trauma, and fracture surgeries of both the upper and lower limbs. He received his medical education from the University of Bristol and completed his surgical training in the UK and Canada. Before establishing his private practice, he served as Chief of Foot & Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Dr Gowreeson Thevendran’s Qualifications and Awards:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bristol, England
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
- Diplomate Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh
- Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
- SICOT PIONEER Founders Award 2020
- 2015 European Foot & Ankle Society ‘Best Podium Presentation’ Award
- 2013 Singapore Orthopaedic Association Junior Travelling Fellowship
- 2012 NHG Critical Talent Special Recognition Award
- 1998 Enid Lindt Prize in Clinical Surgery
- 1995 Public Services Department Full Medical Scholarship
Languages Spoken:
- English, Malay, Tamil
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injury in Singapore
Clinic Location
OrthofootMD@Novena
- Mount Elizabeth Novena
38 Irrawaddy Road #05-42 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre Singapore 329563
OrthofootMD@Mount Alvernia Hospital
- (Mount Alvernia Hospital)
820 Thomson Road #01-01/02 Mount Alvernia Medical Centre A Singapore 574623
Dr Gowreeson Thevendran is currently an orthopaedic surgeon with Island Orthopaedic, a one-stop care centre for orthopaedic health under Healthway Medical Group. He specialises in treating lower limb orthopaedic conditions, as well as trauma and fracture surgery of both the upper and lower limbs. Prior to establishing his private practice, Dr Gowreeson was Chief of Foot & Ankle Surgery at the Department of Orthopaedics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Today, he continues to serve the Orthopaedic Department at TTSH as a visiting consultant.