Degenerative (Wear and Tear) Conditions
In an aging society now more aware of the benefits of exercise and physical activity, degenerative joint conditions, also known as osteoarthritis, are one of the most common causes of pain, stiffness, and joint disability.
While it commonly affects older people with joints that have undergone many years of wear and tear, younger active sportspeople can also be affected, especially if they have from sports injuries that are not fully treated.
Osteoarthritis can affect many joints in the body, most commonly the knees, hips and fingers. Where it affects the spine, it is also referred to as cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spondylosis.
The traditional approach to such a condition involves rest, medications, physiotherapy exercises, glucosamine supplements and joint injections.
Unfortunately they offer only temporary symptomatic relief while the disease progressively gets worse. Pain medications while appropriate for short term use, often carry risks of long term side effects.
Medications are known to cause gastro-intestinal bleeding, liver toxicity, and increase cardiovascular risk.
Joint injection with viscosupplementation are sometimes used as a “lubricant” to the joint. However recent medical opinion indicate that the benefit of viscosupplementation on pain and function in patients is minimal.
- “Do not offer intra-articular hyaluronan injections for the management of osteoarthritis.” [2014] , National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ,UK
Glucosamine based joint supplements have also become very popular over the past few years. However, years of clinical experience have also now shown them to be of very limited benefit.
- “Do not offer glucosamine or chondroitin products for the management of osteoarthritis.” [2014] ,National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ,UK
When such measures no longer control the pain and stiffness, joint replacement surgery is often suggested. While surgery can be a solution in very severe cases, this has to be balanced against the risks and costs of surgery as well as the time and effort needed for post-surgery rehabilitation.
Fortunately, a new range of options for the treatment of osteoarthritis have recently become available.
Ranging from nanotechnology based lubricant gels, disease modifying nutraceuticals, to non-invasive radiofrequency treatments, patients with joint conditions now have a whole series of safe and viable options for their symptoms.
If you are unsure how best to manage your joint aches, pain and stiffness, or if your condition has not improved despite other treatments, we are able to help.
Simply call us at +65 6732 2397 or leave a message below for Dr Tan to discuss a customized non-invasive solution for you.
What To Expect When I Visit The Pain Relief Clinic
A typical visit will involve our doctor first understanding your medical history, concerns and previous experience with other pain treatments.
For patients who have consulted many people but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis, selecting an affordable imaging scan might be recommended to confirm the cause of your pain..
Some patients have already done scans with other doctors for their pain condition but are still not clearly told what they suffer from.
Dr Terence Tan is happy to offer you a second opinion and recommend how best to manage your condition.
We also see patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis from specialist pain doctors, but are "stuck” because treatment options offered are not practical or acceptable.
We can help by discussing options that you might have potentially never been told of.
A common experience is when a patient has already consulted a specialist doctor for pain management and is told to consider orthopaedic surgery which they find too aggressive.
Or they may have seen doctors for their pain and were prescribed painkillers with potential side effects which made them feel uncomfortable.
Many of our patients have also first tried complementary treatments or acupuncture with traditional Chinese pain doctors.
They look for a second opinion after finding any relief experienced from other treatments to be temporary or requiring repetitive treatments, which add up to time and cost.
Especially in such situations, we emphasize using non-invasive medical technology you likely have not been told about .
This can make a big difference to your results.
Ask Dr Tan a Question about your problem
Find out how your pain can be more effectively treated.
For enquiries, Call +65 6732 2397
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