Dr. Jonathan Lee Hand Wrist and Upper Limb Surgery, Singapore

If you have tennis elbow, you should rest the affected arm as much as possible and avoid doing any activities that put more stress on the tendons. Such activity modifications can be an effective way of reducing your painful symptoms. Examples of ways that you can modify activities include:

🎾 avoid lifting, gripping or rotating the affected arm
if you need to lift a heavy object, making sure that your palms are facing upwards to reduce the strain on your wrist muscles

🎾 take regular breaks when you are at work

🎾 discuss with your employer altering any strenuous activities that could cause you pain and aggravate your affected arm

Find out more about Tennis Elbow here https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog/tennis-elbow

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TENNIS ELBOW?
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow. You may also feel pain travelling down your forearm.

The pain is often worse when you use your arm and elbow, particularly for twisting movements. Repetitive wrist movements, such as wrist extension and repeated gripping, can also make the pain worse.

Tennis elbow can vary in severity, but you will usually have the symptoms listed below.

🎾 Recurring pain on the outside of your upper forearm, just below the bend of your elbow. Sometimes, you may also feel pain down your forearm towards your wrist.

🎾 Pain caused by lifting or bending your arm.

🎾 Pain when writing or when gripping small objects. This can make it difficult to hold small items, such as a pen.

🎾 Pain when twisting your forearm – for example, when turning a door handle or opening a jar.

🎾 Difficulty fully extending your forearm.

On average, a typical episode of tennis elbow lasts between six months and two years. Most people (90%) make a full recovery within a year.

The pain of tennis elbow can range from mild discomfort when using your elbow to severe pain that can be felt even when your elbow is still or when you are asleep. You may have stiffness in your arm that gets progressively worse as the damage to your tendon increases.

As your body tries to compensate for the weakness in your elbow, you may also have pain or stiffness in other parts of the affected arm or in your shoulder and neck.

If you have any concerns about the above, contact us at +65 6836 8382 for a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Lee, one of the leading established hand specialists in Singapore.

Tennis Elbow is one of the commonly encountered types of tendonitis.

WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW (LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS)
Tennis elbow is a condition that results in pain around the outside of the elbow. It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint. As its name suggests, tennis elbow is sometimes caused by playing tennis. However, it is usually caused by a number of other physical activities.

WHAT CAUSES OF TENNIS ELBOW?
Tennis elbow is caused by small tears in the muscles of the forearm due to overuse of the muscles or minor injury. It can also occur as the result of a single, forceful injury.
Excessive or repeated use of the muscles that straighten your wrist can injure the tendons in your arm and elbow and lead to tiny tears, which cause rough tissue to form near the bony lump on the outside of your elbow.
Tennis elbow often occurs after you do an activity that uses your forearm muscles when you have not used them much in the past. However, even if you use your forearm muscles frequently, it is still possible to injure them and develop a tennis elbow.

Click over to our website to read more about the condition.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog/tennis-elbow

WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY TENDINITIS NOW?
When you get tendinitis, try these 5 simple steps first – Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. [Acronym P.R.I.C.E] It can help speed your recovery and help prevent further problems.

Protection. Immobilise the affected area to encourage healing and to protect it from further injury. You may need to use elastic wraps, slings, splints, crutches or canes.

Rest. Avoid activities that increase the pain or swelling. Don’t try to work or play through the pain. Rest is essential to tissue healing. But it doesn’t mean complete bed rest. You can do other activities and exercises that don’t stress the injured tendon. Swimming and water exercise may be well tolerated.

Ice. To decrease pain, muscle spasms and swelling, apply ice to the injured area for up to 20 minutes, every 3 to 4 hours for 2 or 3 days. Ice packs, ice massage or slush baths with ice and water all can help. For an ice massage, freeze a plastic foam cup full of water so that you can hold the cup while applying the ice directly to the skin.

Compression. Because swelling can result in loss of motion in an injured joint, compress the area using wraps, sport tape or compressive elastic bandages (crepe bandages) until the swelling has ceased.

Elevation. Raise the affected part above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. For example, elevate your wrist on the back of a chair or couch while sitting or on a pillow while sleeping.

Although rest is a key part of treating tendonitis, prolonged inactivity can cause stiffness in your joints. After a few days of completely resting the injured area, gently move it through its full range of motion to maintain joint flexibility.

WHAT IS TENDONITIS?
Tendons are the tough cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones. They help your muscles move your bones. Tendonitis is the inflammation and irritation of these tendons. If the normal smooth gliding motion of a tendon is impaired the tendon will become inflamed and tendonitis will start to occur. It causes pain and tenderness near a joint. Tendonitis, if it’s caught early, can be easily treated and cured.

It usually occurs in the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, heels or wrists. Depending on its location, it may have a specific name, such as Tennis Elbow, De Quervain’s, or Trigger Finger for example.

Injuries and overuse are common causes of tendinitis. Cross training (varying your sporting activity regularly), stretching before exercise, and decreasing your intensity when you exercise might help prevent tendinitis. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, also can cause it.

You can usually treat tendinitis with rest, ice and medicine to relieve pain and decrease swelling. Other treatments include ultrasound, physical therapy, steroid injections and surgery.

If you have any concerns regarding your hand and wrist ailments, make an appointment with us for a comprehensive diagnosis today at +65 6836 8382.

Dr. Lee was born into a medical family and grew up surrounded by medicine and surgery from an early age. His surgical training has taken him through a broad and sound foundation training in General Surgery, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, in addition to other disciplines such as Emergency Medicine and Neurosurgery.

Having recognised his aptitude for fine precision work and attention to detail, Dr. Lee was chosen for, and completed, the rigorous 4 year advanced surgical training in Hand and Reconstructive Surgery that leads to Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine Singapore and Specialist Accreditation with the Ministry of Health, Singapore

Dr. Jonathan Lee has been in practice for over two decades since graduating from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland with his Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1995. Dr. Lee received Membership (by examination) to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2000 and his Masters of Medicine (Surgery) from the National University of Singapore in 2001.

Learn more about Dr. Jonathan Lee Yi-Liang’s experiences and achievements over the years as a specialist in hand and reconstructive microsurgery.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/our-surgeon-dr-jonathan-lee

Hand infections can cause severe problems that persist even after the infection has resolved, such as stiffness, loss of strength, and even loss of tissues such as skin, nerves and even bone. Thus early and aggressive treatment of hand infections is essential.

When seen early, some infections can be treated with antibiotics, local rest, elevation and other nonoperative measures. However, even after a day or two, many infections can cause severe problems, unless treated with a combination of antibiotics, surgical drainage, and removal of infected or dead tissues. Any drainage or pus should be sent for laboratory testing to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and the appropriate antibiotic for treatment. Infections resistant to commonly used antibiotics are increasingly common (known as methicillin-resistant staph aureus infections, MRSA). They may require comprehensive care rendered by hand surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and hand therapists.

Contact us for a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Lee for a comprehensive diagnosis.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/contact

A qualified hand surgeon is specially trained to diagnose and treat all problems related to the hand, wrist and forearm. Hand surgeons are specialists devoted to hand care. Not all problems treated by a hand surgeon need surgery and non-surgical treatments, such as medication, splints, therapy, and injections are often recommended. The aim of treating hand conditions is to improve the lives of those who suffer from injuries or disorders of the hand and upper extremities.

Dr. Jonathan Lee navigates the anatomical complexity of the many conditions that affect hand function. In cases where hand surgery is required, his goals are to alleviate pain and discomfort at every stage of your treatment, while aiming for the most rapid recovery of function, getting you back to your daily activities, sports and occupation as quickly as possible.

Get in touch with us at +65 6836 8382 for a consultation with Dr Johnathan Lee if you have any concerns regarding your hands.

If you think you fractured your finger, immediately tell your doctor exactly what happened and when it happened. Your doctor must determine not only which bone you fractured, but also how the bone broke. Bones can break in several ways. They can break straight across the bone, in a spiral, into several pieces, or shatter completely.

Your doctor may want to see how your fingers line up when you extend your hand or make a fist. Does any finger overlap its neighbour? Does the injured finger angle in the wrong direction? Does the injured finger look too short? Your doctor may X-ray both of your hands to compare the injured finger on your uninjured finger on your other hand.

What are the common symptoms to look out for:
* Swelling of the fracture site.
* Tenderness at the fracture site.
* Bruising at the fracture site.
* Inability to move the injured finger in completely.
* Deformity of the injured finger.

Make an appointment with us for a comprehensive diagnosis today at 6836 8382.

Not only are our hands susceptible to the first signs of aging; very often they age even faster than the face. Our hands are always exposed to the sun and elements, household chemicals and extreme temperatures, yet we often take the care of our hands for granted.

Here are some tips for giving your hands some TLC.

- Use mild pH soap when washing your hands. Use a grainy scrub on the backs of your hands twice a week to reveal glowing skin. After washing your hands, pat dry and while moist, use a moisturiser on the hands, cuticles, and nails. Use hand cream throughout the day.

- Wearing cotton gloves overnight to help your skin absorb hand cream better. Applying a barrier cream beforehand can protect the hands from drying out during manual or kitchen work.

- Always wear protective gloves when gardening or during heavy housework. Wear gloves to protect your hands from cold weather. Always protect from sun damage by wearing sunblock.

- Topical serums, and creams, often incorporating hyaluronic acid, tretinoin, pigment regulators and tissue growth factors, can augment the skin’s cell hydration and surface smoothness.

Take care of your hands as you would your face. Read more at https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog/hand-rejuvenation.

Have you ever stared at your hands and lamented, “They can never guess my age until they look at my hands”

As a result of aging and sun exposure, collagen and elastin fibres in the skin break down, and the underlying fat atrophies. The skin can thin by 60-70 per cent over 40-50 years.

The skin becomes dry, wrinkly and crepe-like; the veins appear to bulge and become more obvious; the tendons also become obvious and ‘guttering’ occurs resulting in a ‘bony’ appearance.

Sun exposure also results in surface pigmentation problems such as brown spots (age spots, sun spots or liver spots) that add to the appearance of age.

Modern, simple, non-surgical techniques are now available that can go a long way to rejuvenating their appearance, in just a matter of minutes.

Speak to us at +65 6836 8382 to find out more about the options in reversing signs of aging .

As an established hand surgeon, Dr. Lee's patients include both adults and children. Common problems treated include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, wrist pain, sports injuries of the hand and wrist, fractures of the hand, wrist, and forearm, and trigger fingers. Other problems Dr. Lee has treated include arthritis, nerve and tendon injuries, and congenital limb differences (birth defects).

Using both surgical and non-surgical approaches, he treats all of his patients' hand conditions with the most up-to-date techniques and technology available.

Combining technical expertise in orthopaedics, plastic surgery and microsurgery - Dr. Lee's aim is to provide optimal care for your hand, wrist and upper limb problems.

Head over to our website at https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/ to find out more

Treatments for Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome that cause hand numbness may include medications, exercises, ergonomic modifications, splinting and therapy for early cases.

Surgery may be required if the nerve compression is severe or prolonged. Timely and appropriate treatment of hand numbness will prevent further deterioration and allow complete recovery and restoration of function. Delays in treatment can lead to irreversible damage to the nerves that result in permanent numbness and loss of muscle function.

Minimally invasive (endoscopic) approaches for decompression of the median ulnar nerve are now available, and these options can improve patient safety and comfort while shortening their recovery times.

We provide a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and treatment of hand disorders. Our aim is to alleviate pain and restore optimal function to the hand and upper extremity, in the shortest time possible.

Email us at [email protected] for an appointment to find out more.

What are the likely causes of hand numbness?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that causes injury to the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the wrist formed by the bones and connective tissue through which the median nerve and finger tendons pass. Wrist trauma, arthritis, medical conditions such as pregnancy, as well as inflammation of the tendons caused by repetitive activity can narrow the canal and cause compression of the median nerve resulting in symptoms such as numbness, thumb weakness and clumsiness when handling small objects (e.g. buttons, coins and keys).

The ulnar nerve, on the other hand, is sometimes injured in a condition called Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. This nerve travels in a groove behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus (‘the funny bone’), and is vulnerable to injury from direct trauma to the elbow, and repetitive or prolonged elbow flexion activities (e.g. holding the phone, sleeping with elbow bent or gym exercises). Symptoms include weakness, loss of grip and pinch power and numbness over the little and ring fingers.

Other causes of hand numbness include neck arthritis (Cervical Spondylosis), thyroid disease, diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular events (strokes). Some of these conditions can be potentially life-threatening and early assessment to exclude these conditions may be necessary.

Consult Dr Jonathan Lee today, one of the leading established hand specialists in Singapore. Whatsapp us at 9451 5807 to book an appointment.

If you have numbness of the hands, accurate diagnosis is important to guide successful treatment and recovery, as there is no single common treatment that addresses all causes of hand numbness.

Most commonly, numbness in the hand is caused by damage to the median nerve or the ulnar nerve. Both the median and ulnar nerves are part of the brachial plexus, branching out from a set of common nerve roots in the axilla. The median nerve supplies the skin over the palmer surface of the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. The other half of the ring finger and the little finger are innervated by the ulnar nerve. An injury to either nerve will present as numbness to their respective ‘territory’.

Timely analysis and appropriate treatment of hand numbness will prevent further deterioration and allow complete recovery and restoration of function. Delays in treatment can lead to irreversible damage to the nerves that result in permanent numbness and loss of muscle function.

Whatsapp us at 9451 5807 for a consultation with Dr Jonathan Lee.

Are you experiencing numbness in your hand?

Different individuals may experience this differently and might describe it as a “tingling”, “pins and needles”, “shooting pains”, “ants crawling”, “wooden”, “stiff”, or even “my hand has fallen asleep”.

Touch is one of the most important of our five senses. When we touch something, sensory organs in our skin where the tactile information is processed and interpreted, giving us our sense of touch. When a nerve supplying an area of skin becomes damaged, numbness can occur.

It is important to find out the underlying cause of the symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is important to guide successful treatment and recovery, as there is no single common treatment that addresses all causes of hand numbness.

Make an appointment today to consult Dr Jonathan Lee for a comprehensive assessment at +65 6836 8382.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DE QUERVAIN'S TENDONITIS (MUMMY'S THUMB)?
Are you having pain and swelling near the base of, or over the thumb. The pain may appear suddenly or may increase over time, spreading farther into the thumb and wrist, and up the forearm. Pinching, grasping, lifting and other movements of the thumb and wrist aggravate the pain. You may have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Look for these potential signs of discomfort:

Pain near the base of your thumb

Swelling near the base of your thumb

A fluid-filled cyst in the same region as the swelling and pain

Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist when you’re doing activities that involve grasping or pinching

A “sticking” or “stop-and-go” sensation in your thumb when trying to move it

A squeaking sound as the tendons try to move back and forth through the inflamed sheaths

Pain and/or swelling on the wrist’s thumb side at the back of the wrist

Increased pain while forming a fist, grasping or holding objects, or turning the wrist

A snapping or catching feeling when moving the thumb, much like a trigger finger.

Find out more about the condition.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog/symptoms-of-mommy-thumb

Hand surgery specialists use both a surgical and non-surgical approach to your treatment. Only a qualified hand surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat all problems related to the hand, wrist and forearm.

Dr. Jonathan Lee will navigate the anatomical complexity of the many conditions that affect hand function. In cases where hand surgery is required, his goals are to alleviate pain and discomfort at every stage of your treatment, while aiming for the most rapid recovery of function, getting you back to your daily activities, sports and occupation as quickly as possible.

Book an appointment today to find out how Dr Jonathan Lee could help in your conditions.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/contact

WHAT IS DE QUERVAIN’S TENDONITIS?
De Quervain’s tendonitis involves thumb extensor tendons that run through a canal at the base of the thumb at the back of the hand. Specifically, the protective synovial sheath of the tendon becomes inflamed. In most cases, the condition is not serious and can be easily treated.

When you grip, grasp, clench, pinch or wring anything in your hand, you use two major tendons in your wrist and lower thumb. These tendons run side-by-side from your forearm through the thumb side of your wrist. They normally glide unhampered through the small tunnel that connects them to the base of the thumb. In De Quervain’s tendonitis (sometimes also called tenosynovitis), the tendons’ protective gliding sheath (covering) becomes inflamed, restricting the movement of the tendons. It is this inflammation of the tendon sheath that must be treated.

The primary goal is to relieve the ache that is caused by the inflammation of the tendon sheath that the tendons pass through. Return to normal function usually occurs within 2-4 weeks. Most approaches are non-surgical, with surgery reserved for severe cases and those that don’t respond to non-surgical measures.

Read more.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog

We often have new mothers coming to us complaining of pain and swelling on the thumb-side of the wrist, and difficulty extending their thumbs. This causes them a lot of discomfort when performing daily tasks like lifting a baby etc. Exceedingly common and easily identified, it is easy to understand why this condition called De Quervain’s Tendonitis, also has the nickname of ‘Mommy Thumb’.

'Mommy Thumb’ is due to overuse of the wrist and thumb (by repetitive movements) while performing activities of daily living (ADL). Because up to 50% of the hand’s function requires the involvement of the thumb, overuse injury can significantly hamper everyday functions.

It is a very common condition and in fact, is very easily treated. Most mothers we’ve treated manage very well with non-surgical treatments, and as the baby grows up in the first year and starts to crawl or walk, many of the aggravating factors are removed. During this period, proper advice and protection with splinting may be all that is required. Early treatment and intervention improve results.

So don’t suffer in pain. Call us today for an appointment at +65 6836 8382

The hand is a unique area of the human body that is made up of bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessels. These elements must all be in good working order for the hand to function well. The relationship between all these structures is delicate and refined. An injury or disease can affect any or all of these structures and impair the use of the hand.

A qualified hand surgeon is specially trained to diagnose and treat all problems related to the hand, wrist and forearm. Hand surgeons are specialists devoted to hand care. Not all problems treated by a hand surgeon need surgery and non-surgical treatments, such as medication, splints, therapy, and injections are often recommended. The aim of treating hand conditions is to improve the lives of those who suffer from injuries or disorders of the hand and upper extremities.

Consult Dr. Jonathan Lee for optimal care for your hand, wrist and upper limb problems.

https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/contact

Do you feel pain at the wrist (sometimes radiating up the forearm), numbness or tingling in the palms of the hand, and radiating to the thumb, index finger and middle finger?

What you are experiencing could be the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

CAN YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?
YES. We have seen patients in a younger age group, and these usually always have an identifiable cause. We have seen students preparing for their O-levels or A-levels, who have increased their writing workload, and developed numbness of the fingers and pain at the wrist. Students who write in an awkward position (over flexing the wrist, and gripping the pen very tightly), can be particularly susceptible to developing carpal tunnel symptoms.

Other young patients we have seen may have symptoms related to sports. Eg. Patients who are training for competition who have increased their frequency of play (e.g. tennis or golf etc, requiring repetitive gripping), may start to develop carpal tunnel symptoms.

Find out more about Carpal tunnel Syndrome.
https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/hand-surgery-blog/learn-about-carpal-tunnel-syndrome

WHAT IS TRIGGER FINGER?
Trigger finger is an uncomfortable condition where a digit can lock, bent in place because the underlying flexor tendon that controls its movement can’t move easily through its sheath to raise the finger up or down. Nodules can develop on the joint due to inflammation, and moving the finger back and forward into place means having to experience popping and locking - and not in a fun Hip Hop dance kind of way. In addition to pain, it can be incredibly difficult to grip items.

The good news is that trigger finger can be repaired. If it’s caught early enough, you can avoid long periods of having to open jars with your teeth or enduring the humiliation of having to ask your partner to do so; not to mention being able to cut short debilitating pain and a longer recovery period. Even if left to advance though, the issue can still be corrected.

There are several ways to treat trigger finger:
1. Avoidance

2. Splinting

3. Anti-inflammatories

4. Exercise 

5. Steroid injection

6. Surgery

If you’re feeling any discomfort in your fingers contact us for an examination at 6836 8382.

WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow is a condition that results in pain around the outside of the elbow. It is the result of small tears in the muscles of the forearm due to overuse of the muscles or minor injury. It can also occur as the result of a single, forceful injury.

Tennis elbow can vary in severity, but you will usually have the symptoms listed below.

* Recurring pain on the outside of your upper forearm, just below the bend of your elbow. Sometimes, you may also feel pain down your forearm towards your wrist.

* Pain caused by lifting or bending your arm.

* Pain when writing or when gripping small objects. This can make it difficult to hold small items, such as a pen.

* Pain when twisting your forearm – for example, when turning a door handle or opening a jar.

* Difficulty fully extending your forearm.

On average, a typical episode of tennis elbow lasts between six months and two years. Most people (90%) make a full recovery within a year.

If you think you might be having Tennis Elbow, call for an appointment at +65 6836 8382 to have it assessed by Dr. Jonathan Y. Lee.

Dr Johnathan Lee and the team wish you happiness, good health and prosperity in the year of Water Tiger 2022! Happy Chinese New Year!

Next to your face, your hands are probably the most visible parts of your body. The earliest signs of aging show on our hands, and even with the body and face of someone ten years younger, neglected hands are a dead age giveaway.

We do so much with our hands, yet we often take the care of our hands for granted.

A little TLC goes a long way.

1- Use mild pH soap when washing your hands. Use a grainy scrub on the backs of your hands twice a week to reveal glowing skin.

2- Use a moisturiser on the hands, cuticles, and nails while moist after washing hands and pat dry.

3- Use hand cream throughout the day.

4- Wearing cotton gloves overnight to help your skin absorb hand cream better.

5- Applying a barrier cream beforehand can protect the hands from drying out during manual or kitchen work.

6- Always wear protective gloves when gardening or during heavy housework.

Simple, effective, non-surgical treatments are available for Hand Rejuvenation. Youthful looking hands can add so much to our overall appearance, well-being and self-esteem.

Consult Dr. Jonathan Lee for personalised hand rejuvenation care your hands deserve.

https://www.handsurgery.com.sg/contact