Asian Healthcare Specialists
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Dermatology
    • ENT
    • Gastroenterology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Orthopaedic
    • Urology
    • Family Medicine
    • Anaesthesia
  • About Us
    • Our Specialists
    • Careers
  • Our Clinics
  • Newsroom
  • Medical Insights
  • Contact Us
    • Medical Enquiry
    • Corporate Enquiry
    • Book an Appointment
    • Consult Our Specialists
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
mainadmin2025-02-24T14:25:34+08:00
  • Home
  • Newsroom
  • A New Drill For Rotator Cuff Shoulder Surgery

A New Drill For Rotator Cuff Shoulder Surgery

February 25, 2014
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google + Email
Shoulder Surgery Singapore by Dr Tan Chyn Hong

TEARING Your Rotator Cuff, A Shoulder Muscle Or Tendon No Longer Means Getting Permanent Implants To Help Keep The Internal Stitches In Place.

Since April, National University Hospital (NUH) has been using the ArthroTunneler device, which drills a narrow channel through the shoulder bone of patients. Stitches are then threaded through the “tunnel”, which measures a few millimetres wide, to secure the torn tendon or muscle.

Orthopaedic surgeon Tan Chyn Hong, the head of NUH’s sports medicine division, explained that this eliminates the risk of implants, which have to be anchored to the bone, coming loose. When this happens, the loosened implants may cause pain, so patients will need another operation to have them removed. The implants can also sometimes interfere with medical scans, added Dr Tan.

Other public hospitals such as Singapore General Hospital said they are considering using the tunnelling device, which dates back to 2008 and is sold by Dutch company Tornier, but was made available in Singapore only recently. “As this is a newly launched product in Singapore, we are still reviewing its place in the care of our rotator cuff patients,” said Associate Professor Andrew Tan, a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital. Some doctors remain cautious. Dr Andy Wee, who heads orthopaedic surgery at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, said the hospital is able to use the device upon patients’ request, but it has not been shown to produce better results than conventional methods. Meanwhile, Raffles Hospital said it still prefers to use implants for rotator cuff surgery, without elaborating.

The tunnelling method is designed for patients who injure their rotator cuff – a group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder. It is estimated that one in five adults worldwide will be affected by a rotator cuff injury, which is caused by repetitive movements, heavy lifting, or a sudden impact to the arm. The risk increases with age. Athletes who regularly exert their shoulder muscles and tendons, such as tennis players, are also more susceptible.

Surgery is usually needed when the muscle or tendon is torn all the way through. “A torn tendon has no potential to heal. The hole will stay there, or become bigger over time,” said NUH’s Dr Tan. Such tears are usually repaired with keyhole surgery coupled with the use of metal, plastic or biodegradable implants known as suture anchors.

But NUH’s Dr Tan said the tunnelling method is ideal for patients who are concerned about having implants. Madam Linda Ho, 60, the first patient at NUH to opt for the tunnelling method, was worried about having a foreign object placed inside her body. The research nurse, who first experienced a strain in her right shoulder last December, had heard from other patients that implants can feel “cold and painful”. After her surgery in April, she has fully recovered. “I like to put my hand under my head while I sleep, but after the injury I couldn’t even do that,” she said. “Now, I am back to normal and can do everything.”

 

Article from The Straits Times (Dec 25, 2013)


About the author

Dr Tan Chyn Hong

Orthopaedic


Doctor’s News

Shoulder, Knee & Elbow Specialist - Dr Tan Chyn Hong
Body SOS Health Carnival 2017 11 May 2017
Shoulder Pain Singapore
Don’t Ignore A Painful Shoulder 20 December 2016
Healthy Knees Tips by Dr Tan Chyn Hong
Take Care Of Your Knees (The Straits Times Classifieds) 14 July 2016
Knee Pain from Running
In The Long Run, Treating Your Knee Pain Is Crucial (The Straits Times) 20 April 2016
Knee Preservation Surgery Singapore with Dr Tan Chyn Hong
Saving Your Knees (The Straits Times) 12 November 2015

Doctor’s Medical Insights

“Hill Rolling Exercise” Precautions 19 January 2025
Getting To Know Osteoporosis 24 September 2023
Seek Early Treatment For Your Knee | 及早求医保住膝盖 24 September 2023
Learn More About ACL Reconstruction With Dr Tan 24 September 2023
Let Our Doctors Help You Find a Solution
for Your Medical Conditions Today.
Get In Touch with

Our Specialists

Make an Appointment

Book Now

Let Our Doctors Help You Find a Solution for Your Medical Conditions Today.
Get In Touch with

Our Specialists

Make an Appointment

Book Now

Let Our Doctors Help You Find a Solution for Your Medical Conditions Today.
Get In Touch with

Our Specialists


Make an Appointment

Book Now

Asian Healthcare Specialists is a multi-disciplinary medical services group that provides an extended range of medical services.
Our Services
> Anaesthesia
> Dermatology
> ENT
> Family medicine
> Gastroenterology
> Ophthalmology
> Orthopaedic
> Urology
Our Services
> Anaesthesia
> Dermatology
> ENT
> Family medicine
> Gastroenterology
> Ophthalmology
> Orthopaedic
> Urology
Recent Blog
Dr Yue Talks About Back Pain on Channel 8 Let’s Talk About Health 医聊大小事 16 February 2024
Continuing To Serve 25 January 2020
Passing On Knowledge 7 January 2020
Dr Yue Talks About Scoliosis In Children On CNA938 Health Matters 26 July 2019
Symposium Speaker And Discussant At APSS-APPOS 2019 7 May 2019
Contact Us

Contact our Specialists

enquiry@asianhealthcare.com.sg

Visit our Clinics

Copyright © 2024 Asian Healthcare Specialists. All Rights Reserved | PDPA Policy

  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Dermatology
    • ENT
    • Gastroenterology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Orthopaedic
    • Urology
    • Family Medicine
    • Anaesthesia
  • About Us
    • Our Specialists
    • Careers
  • Our Clinics
  • Newsroom
  • Medical Insights
  • Contact Us
    • Medical Enquiry
    • Corporate Enquiry
    • Book an Appointment
    • Consult Our Specialists