• 21
  • Nov
Gout
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What is Gout?

Gouty Arthritis
Gouty Arthritis

Gout is a rheumatic condition that predominantly affects middle-aged men. It is ten times more common in men than in women. The most common site for an attack of gout is the joint at the base of the big toe. An acute attack of gout can be extremely painful.

Cause of gout

Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. This results in the formation of sodium urate crystals in the joints. Uric acid itself if a by-product of the breakdown of certain types of waste products. In the vast majority of people, it is eliminated from the body during urination. However, among those who are susceptible to gout, the uric acid builds up in the bloodstream and deposits itself in crystal form in the joints. The crystals cause irritation within the joint giving rise to the acute inflammation we recognise as gout.

Inflamed Gout Toe
Inflamed Gout Toe

Diagnosis of Gout

Diagnosis of gout involves inserting a needle into the affected joint and drawing a sample of the fluid that lubricates the joint (called synovial fluid). The fluid is then analyzed under a microscope to determine if uric acid crystals are present and if a blood test (uric acid) is required.

Treatment for Gout

Self-help

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the pain and swelling of a gout attack. Left untreated, attacks of gout may become more frequent and last for longer.

  • Raise and rest your joint. You shouldn’t do any vigorous physical activity. Sometimes your doctor may give you a splint to wear to stop you moving your joint.
  • Keep your joint cool and don’t cover it. Apply ice wrapped in a towel to your joint for about 20 minutes to help reduce swelling. You shouldn’t apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin. If you need to repeat this, let your joint return to its normal temperature first.

Medicines

There are some medicines your doctor can prescribe to help ease the pain and swelling of an attack of gout.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may relieve pain and inflammation. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, kidney disease, lung disease or if you’re over 65, these medicines may be harmful so you should talk to your doctor about taking them.

Alternatively, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection if you have gout in a large joint (such as your knee).

If you have repeat attacks of gout, there are medicines you can take to help to prevent it.

Prevention of gout

Identifying anything that brings on an attack of gout and not doing these things is very important.

For example, you:

  • shouldn’t eat foods that are very high in purines, such as liver, kidney and seafood (especially oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and anchovies), and certain vegetables (asparagus, cauliflower, lentils, mushrooms, oatmeal and spinach) – ask your doctor or a dietician for more advice
  • shouldn’t drink too much alcohol – especially beer, stout, port and fortified wines
  • should eat a well-balanced diet and do regular physical activity to lose excess weight
  • should drink enough water

Gout Doctor

Dr Kevin Yip

Dr Kevin Yip Orthopaedic Surgeon Gleneagles Singapore

  • 21
  • Nov
Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist
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What is Ganglion of the Wrist?

Ganglion Cyst In Wrist
Ganglion Cyst In Wrist

A wrist ganglion is a swelling that generally occurs over the back of the hand or wrist. These are benign, fluid-filled capsules. Ganglions are not cancerous. Although they may grow in size, they will not spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Ganglion of the Wrist?

The ganglion usually appears as a bump or mass that which appear over time or appear suddenly. It may also get smaller in size and even go away, only to come back at another time.

What are the Causes?

The cause of ganglions is not known. One possible cause is the trauma causing the tissue of the joint or tendon sheath to break down forming small cysts, which then join into a larger, more obvious mass. The most likely cause involves a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out.

What are the Treatments?

Many cysts (38-58%) disappear without any treatment at all. Treatments include using a needle to remove the cyst’s contents (aspiration). Surgical removal of the cyst is needed when the mass is painful, interferes with function especially when the dominant hand is involved, or causes numbness or tingling of the hand or fingers.

Wrist Ganglion Doctor

Dr Kevin Yip

Dr Kevin Yip Orthopaedic Surgeon Gleneagles Singapore

https://www.orthopaedicsurgeon.com.sg/book-appointment/

  • 21
  • Nov
Shoulder Pain due to Frozen Shoulder
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What is Shoulder Pain due to Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a disorder where the connective tissue surrounding the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder becomes inflamed and stiff and abnormal bands of tissue form restricting motion and causing chronic pain.

The joint becomes so tight and stiff that it is nearly impossible to carry out simple movements for example raising the arm. The range of movement is severely restricted.

Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder

What are the Causes of Frozen Shoulder?

The cause for frozen shoulder is unknown. Nonetheless, there are a number of risk factors which includes diabetes, stroke, accidents, lung disease, connective tissue disorders, and heart disease.

Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis
Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis

How to Prevent Shoulder Pain due to Frozen Shoulder?

To prevent shoulder pain due to frozen shoulder, a common recommendation is to keep the shoulder joint fully moving. Often a shoulder will hurt when it begins to freeze.

What are the Treatments for Frozen Shoulder?

The treatment is a combination of medication, physiotherapy and home exercise. Some patients require manipulation of the shoulder joint under anaesthesia to break down the abnormal tissue bands. Arthroscopic debridement of the scar tissue may be necessary for more severe cases.

Frozen Shoulder Doctor

Dr Kevin Yip

https://www.orthopaedicsurgeon.com.sg/book-appointment/

Dr Kevin Yip Orthopaedic Surgeon Gleneagles Singapore

  • 21
  • Nov
Compression Stockings
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This factsheet is for people who wear compression stockings, or who would like information about them. We are not selling this product.

Compression stockings help maintain circulation in the leg veins and reduce leg swelling. They are used to treat leg ulcers and varicose veins, and to help reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT).

  • About compression stockings
  • How do compression stockings work?
  • Wearing compression stockings
  • How to put on compression stockings
  • Caring for your compression stockings

About compression stockings

Compression stockings (also called graduated compression stockings) can be used to prevent as well as treat a number of conditions that affect the circulation in your body.

  • DVT. This is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. If the blood clot breaks loose, it can travel to your lungs and block a blood vessel there (this is known as a pulmonary embolism).
  • Varicose veins. These are swollen veins that lie under your skin (superficial veins) that look lumpy and dark blue or purple through your skin. They usually affect your legs, particularly your calf and sometimes your thigh, and are caused by damaged valves in your veins.
  • Venous leg ulcers. These are areas of skin loss (lesions) usually near your ankle. They are caused by problems with the valves in your leg veins.
  • Fluid build-up in your legs (oedema). This can be caused by problems with the veins in your legs and can also occur during pregnancy.
Tubigrip
Compression Stocking

How do compression stockings work?

Compression stockings work by putting pressure on the veins in your leg. They are called graduated compression stockings because the pressure is greatest at your ankle and reduces further up your leg. When you walk or exercise your legs, compression stockings help the natural pump mechanism of the muscles in your leg to improve your circulation.

Compression stockings are available in several sizes and lengths. They are also available with different strengths of compression; class one to three. Class one stockings apply the least amount of pressure and class three stockings apply a much higher pressure. Your GP will advise which strength is appropriate for you.

Wearing compression stockings

For them to be effective, you need to wear your stockings constantly during the day. Usually you should take them off before you go to sleep, but your doctor may advise you to wear the stockings at night. Take them off every day to wash your legs and check the condition of your skin.

When checking your skin you need to look out for:

  • sore marks at the top of your legs
  • blisters or discolouration, especially on your heels or ankle bones

If you spot any of these signs, or if you’re worried, don’t put your stockings back on and talk to your GP.

Take care to prevent your skin becoming dry by applying an emulsifying cream to your legs. Your GP can recommend creams that are appropriate for you.

How to put on compression stockings

There are different lengths of compression stockings that fit your leg differently.

  • Knee-high stockings – these should sit below your knee.
  • Thigh-high stockings – the top of the stocking rests below your buttocks.
  • Waist-high tights – the body part of the stockings rests on your waist and the seams run vertically up the front of the garment.

Compression stockings are tighter at the foot than higher up the leg. They are difficult to put on and take off so you may need someone to help you with this. You will need to:

  • insert your hand into the stocking as far as the heel pocket and turn the stocking inside out
  • carefully slip your foot into the foot portion and ease the stocking over your heel – make sure your heel is centred in the heel pocket
  • bring the rest of the stocking over your heel and up around your ankle and calf – don’t pull the stocking, instead use the palms of your hands to gently massage the stocking up your leg
  • smooth out any creases and never roll down your stockings while wearing them – this can affect how well they work and may restrict blood flow through your legs

To help blood flow in your legs, don’t sit or stand still, or lie in bed for long periods. Take regular walks around the house and do gentle foot and ankle exercises when sitting down.

Caring for your compression stockings

You may need to wear your stockings for several weeks so it’s important that you take care of them and wash them regularly. Make sure you have a spare set to wear while the others are being washed.

Always ask your GP or nurse for advice and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your compression stockings.

Typical care instructions are:

  • machine or hand-washing in warm water, at a maximum of 40°C, every two to three days
  • not wringing the stockings as this may damage them
  • letting them dry naturally as the heat from a tumble dryer may damage the elastic
  • 21
  • Nov
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
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What is PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelet Separated From Own's Blood
Platelet Separated From Own’s Blood

The human body has a natural ability to heal itself from most injuries. A large part of this ability lies in the healing potential of the many growth factors found in our platelets, a component of human blood.

The recent advancement in separation and concentration of a patient’s blood platelets for injection into his damaged body part, is an amazingly elegant tissue regenerative technology.

Although it involves the drawing of a small tube of a patient’s blood, and the injection of the treated body part with his concentrated platelets, the ability to heal his injured muscles, tendons, and other body parts make this a very promising treatment option for many patients.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is derived directly from your own blood. PRP is a blood plasma with concentrated platelets. Contained within platelets are high concentrations of bioactive active proteins that aid in healing, including growth factors which are necessary to initiate connective tissue healing. With concentrated amounts of these proteins in an injured area, healing and tissue repair is accelerated. Healing can occur in various tissues including tendons, ligaments, muscle and bone. Along with tissue repair the regeneration process also stimulates new blood vessel growth which also promotes the wound healing process.

Where Does Platelet Rich Plasma – PRP Come From?

A small amount of your blood (30-60 cc) is taken from your arm. The blood is then placed in a special kit and centrifuged. The centrifuge processes the blood, extracting the PRP, leaving the excessive plasma and red blood cells in the container. The PRP is a concentration of platelets and growth factors, concentrated up to 500%.

Injuries are prevalent in sports, and athletes often have to take time off for surgery and rehab.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy helped Tiger Woods’ left knee.

It is available right here in Singapore Sports and Orthopaedic Clinic. It’s done right in the clinic, and you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit.

Platelets have long been known to help the blood clot, but in the last 20 years research has shown that when activated in the body, they release healing proteins called growth factors.

In addition to tennis elbow, platelet-rich plasma therapy can also be used for problems with the Achilles tendon and knee and heel pain, and is also showing promise in treating osteoarthritis.

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Call: +65 80859224

Email: ssoc_enq@bone.com.sg

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