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
Sport and exercise provide significant health benefits, but they also place demands on muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones. Whether you are a professional athlete, recreational runner, weekend golfer or someone returning to exercise after a break, injuries can occur despite careful preparation.
At 360 Orthopaedics, we provide evidence-based assessment and treatment of sports injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow and knee. Our goal is not only to help relieve pain, but also to restore function and support a safe return to sport.
What is a sports injury?
A sports injury is any injury involving the muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones or joints that occurs during sport or physical activity.
Some injuries develop suddenly following trauma, while others occur gradually because of repetitive loading and overuse.
Acute versus overuse injuries
Acute injuries
Acute injuries occur suddenly, often following a specific incident.
Examples include:
- Shoulder dislocation during rugby
- ACL rupture during football
- Meniscus tear after twisting the knee
- Distal biceps tendon rupture while lifting
- Pectoralis major rupture during weight training
Symptoms may include:
- Sudden pain
- Swelling
- Loss of function
- Instability
- Inability to continue playing
Overuse injuries
Overuse injuries develop gradually through repeated stress on tissues without adequate recovery.
Examples include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Shoulder impingement
- Stress fractures
Early recognition often prevents progression to more serious injury.
Common sports injuries we manage
Shoulder injuries
Common shoulder injuries include:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder instability and dislocation
- SLAP tears
- Labral injuries
- Frozen shoulder
- AC joint injuries
- Pectoralis major tears
- Calcific tendinitis
Related pages
Elbow injuries
Common elbow conditions include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Throwing-related ligament injuries
- Distal biceps tendon rupture
- Distal triceps tendon rupture
- Elbow instability
- Elbow stiffness
Related pages
Knee injuries
Common knee injuries include:
- ACL tears
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage injuries
- Patellar instability
- Sports-related ligament injuries
Related pages
How do sports injuries occur?
Sports injuries may result from:
- Sudden twisting movements
- Falls
- Direct contact
- Repetitive throwing
- Weight training
- Poor movement mechanics
- Inadequate conditioning
- Returning to sport too quickly after injury
Many injuries occur through a combination of several factors rather than a single cause.
When should I see a sports injury specialist?
You should consider assessment if you experience:
- Pain lasting more than two weeks
- Swelling that does not settle
- Joint instability
- Locking or catching
- Weakness
- Inability to return to training
- Pain that repeatedly recurs
- Loss of movement
Early diagnosis may reduce the risk of chronic problems and prolonged time away from sport.
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with understanding:
- How the injury occurred
- Your sporting activity
- Training load
- Previous injuries
- Performance goals
A detailed physical examination is followed by imaging when appropriate.
Investigations may include:
X-rays
Useful for fractures and certain joint conditions.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound
Useful for:
- Tendon injuries
- Muscle tears
- Dynamic assessment
- Image-guided procedures
MRI
MRI provides detailed evaluation of:
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Cartilage
- Menisci
- Labrum
- Muscles
MRI is recommended when it is likely to influence diagnosis or treatment planning.
Treatment
Treatment depends on:
- The diagnosis
- Severity of injury
- Sporting demands
- Age
- Occupation
- Personal goals
Many sports injuries improve without surgery.
Management may include:
- Education
- Activity modification
- Bracing or taping
- Physiotherapy
- Progressive rehabilitation
- Ultrasound-guided injections where appropriate
- Surgery for selected injuries
Returning to sport
Returning too early increases the risk of re-injury.
A safe return to sport depends on more than simply being pain-free.
Factors considered include:
- Pain control
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Balance
- Functional testing
- Sport-specific movements
- Confidence
The timing varies depending on the injury and the demands of your sport.
Preventing sports injuries
Although not every injury can be prevented, risk may be reduced by:
- Gradually increasing training intensity
- Maintaining shoulder and core strength
- Proper warm-up
- Adequate recovery between training sessions
- Good technique
- Appropriate equipment
- Addressing symptoms early rather than training through pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need an MRI?
No.
Many sports injuries can be diagnosed clinically, with MRI reserved for situations where it will influence treatment decisions.
Will I need surgery?
Not necessarily.
Many ligament, tendon and overuse injuries respond well to non-operative treatment.
Surgery is recommended only when it is likely to provide meaningful benefit.
How long before I can return to sport?
Recovery varies widely depending on the injury, treatment and the demands of your sport.
Your rehabilitation programme will be individualised.
Can I continue exercising while injured?
In many cases, yes.
Activities may need to be modified, but maintaining general fitness is often encouraged where appropriate.
Why choose 360 Orthopaedics?
At 360 Orthopaedics, we understand that every athlete has different goals. For some, returning to elite competition is the priority. For others, it may simply be playing with their children, completing a marathon or enjoying a round of golf without pain.
Our practice combines:
- Fellowship training in shoulder surgery and sports-related upper limb conditions
- Evidence-based diagnosis and treatment
- Expertise in shoulder, elbow and knee injuries
- Point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound where appropriate
- Individualised rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning
We aim to help patients return safely to the activities that matter most to them.
Related pages
Shoulder
Elbow
Knee
Patient Guides
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.