Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
Appointments by prior arrangement
Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
✔ Subspecialty Focus in Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Injuries
✔ Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
✔ Evidence-based treatment, Individualised Care
Introduction
Whether you are a competitive athlete, weekend golfer, recreational runner or someone who enjoys staying active, returning to sport after an injury is often one of your biggest priorities.
A successful return to sport involves more than simply allowing pain to settle. The injured tissues need time to heal, strength must be restored, movement patterns should recover, and confidence needs to return.
At 360 Orthopaedics, we aim to help patients return safely to the activities they enjoy while minimising the risk of re-injury.
Why returning too early can be a problem
Pain often improves before the injured tissues have fully recovered.
Although you may feel better, important deficits may still remain, including:
- Reduced strength
- Poor balance
- Limited flexibility
- Reduced endurance
- Altered movement patterns
- Loss of confidence
Returning to full sporting activity too soon may increase the risk of further injury or delay recovery.
Every injury is different
Recovery depends on many factors, including:
- The diagnosis
- Severity of the injury
- Whether surgery was required
- Age
- Overall health
- Previous injuries
- Type of sport
- Level of competition
For this reason, recovery timelines vary considerably between individuals.
The stages of returning to sport
Stage 1 – Control pain and inflammation
The initial focus is to:
- Reduce pain
- Protect the injured tissues
- Restore gentle movement
- Prevent stiffness
Depending on the injury, temporary activity modification or protective bracing may be recommended.
Stage 2 – Restore movement
Once symptoms begin to improve, attention turns to restoring normal joint mobility and flexibility.
The goal is to regain comfortable movement without aggravating the injury.
Stage 3 – Rebuild strength
Strengthening exercises are introduced progressively.
Rehabilitation may focus on:
- Muscular strength
- Endurance
- Balance
- Coordination
- Core stability
The programme is tailored to the injured body part and the demands of your sport.
Stage 4 – Functional training
As strength improves, rehabilitation becomes more sport-specific.
Examples include:
- Throwing progression
- Running drills
- Agility exercises
- Jumping and landing
- Direction changes
- Weight-training progression
The aim is to prepare your body for the movements required during sport.
Stage 5 – Return to sport
A gradual return allows the body to adapt safely.
Many athletes begin with:
- Modified training
- Reduced intensity
- Shorter sessions
- Non-contact participation where appropriate
Competition usually follows only after satisfactory recovery.
How do we decide when you are ready?
There is rarely a single test that determines readiness.
Instead, we consider several factors together.
Pain
You should be able to perform your sporting movements without significant pain.
Range of motion
Joint movement should be appropriate for your activity.
Strength
Strength should be restored to a level that supports safe participation in your chosen sport.
Functional performance
Depending on your sport, functional assessment may include:
- Squatting
- Jumping
- Landing
- Running
- Cutting and pivoting
- Throwing
- Push-ups
- Pulling movements
Confidence
Many athletes feel hesitant after injury.
Confidence often returns gradually as rehabilitation progresses and successful movement is repeated.
Returning after common injuries
Rotator cuff injuries
Return depends on:
- Pain control
- Strength
- Shoulder endurance
- Sport-specific demands
Overhead athletes often require a more gradual progression than recreational exercisers.
Shoulder instability
Patients should regain:
- Full movement
- Shoulder strength
- Stability
- Confidence during overhead activity
Contact sports usually require a longer rehabilitation period.
Tennis elbow
Many people can continue modified sporting activity while symptoms improve.
A gradual increase in training load helps reduce recurrence.
ACL injuries
Returning to pivoting sports requires:
- Excellent strength
- Neuromuscular control
- Functional testing
- Psychological readiness
The decision is based on recovery milestones rather than simply the number of months after surgery.
Meniscus injuries
Recovery depends on:
- The type of injury
- Whether surgery was performed
- The specific procedure
- Rehabilitation progress
Can I exercise while recovering?
In most cases, yes.
Although the injured area may need temporary protection, maintaining overall fitness is often encouraged.
Examples include:
- Stationary cycling
- Swimming (when appropriate)
- Core strengthening
- Upper or lower body exercises that do not aggravate the injury
Your rehabilitation programme should be individualised.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will recovery take?
Recovery varies depending on the injury and the demands of your sport.
Some injuries recover within weeks, while others require several months of structured rehabilitation.
Can I play through pain?
Minor discomfort may occur during rehabilitation, but significant pain should not be ignored.
Persistent or worsening symptoms should be reviewed before increasing activity.
Do I need surgery to return to sport?
Not necessarily.
Many sports injuries improve with appropriate rehabilitation without surgery.
When surgery is recommended, it is because it is likely to improve stability, function or long-term outcomes.
Can I prevent future injuries?
Although not every injury is preventable, maintaining strength, flexibility, good technique and an appropriate training programme may reduce the risk of recurrence.
Why choose 360 Orthopaedics?
At 360 Orthopaedics, our goal extends beyond treating the injury itself.
We aim to help patients return confidently to the activities that matter most to them—whether that means elite competition, weekend tennis, golf, running, weight training or simply enjoying an active lifestyle.
Our approach includes:
- Accurate diagnosis
- Evidence-based treatment recommendations
- Individualised rehabilitation planning
- Collaboration with physiotherapists where appropriate
- Shared decision-making throughout recovery
We believe that a safe return to sport should be based on function, not simply the calendar.
Related pages
Patient Guides
Shoulder
Elbow
Knee
Ready to return to the activities you enjoy?
Whether you are recovering from a shoulder, elbow or knee injury, returning to sport should be guided by your recovery rather than by time alone.
At 360 Orthopaedics, we provide personalised assessment and rehabilitation planning to help you recover safely and return with confidence.
Contact 360 Orthopaedics to arrange a consultation.
Injured while playing sport?
Whether your injury occurred on the basketball court, tennis court, football field, golf course, in the gym or during everyday exercise, an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards recovery.
At 360 Orthopaedics, we provide personalised assessment and treatment plans designed to help you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy.
Contact 360 Orthopaedics to arrange a consultation.
Dr Puah is regularly invited to teach surgery internationally
Specialist Care for Sports Injuries in Singapore
Dr Puah is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries. He provides personalised care tailored to each patient’s condition and activity level.
Consultations are available at Mount Elizabeth Novena.
If you are experiencing pain after a sports injury that is affecting your daily life or sports, early assessment can help guide appropriate treatment.
Book a consultation or contact the clinic to discuss your condition.
Why Choose Dr Puah Ken Lee
- Specialist in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries
- Fellowship-trained in advanced arthroscopic techniques
- Focus on evidence-based, patient-specific treatment
- Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation or contact the clinic via WhatsApp to get started
Book a consultation at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena
Sports injuries are common but treatable. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can improve outcomes and prevent long-term problems.
Dr Puah Ken Lee is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore specialising in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena. Patients with persistent symptoms after a sports injury are encouraged to seek specialist evaluation.