Shoulder and Elbow Pain Specialist: Orthopaedic Care by Dr Ramesh
Dr. Ramesh Subramaniam
Dr Ramesh, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, focuses on shoulder, knee, and arthroscopic sports surgery.
Dr. Ramesh Subramaniam
MBBS (NUS, SG) | MRCS (Edinburgh, UK) | M Med (Ortho) (NUS, SG) | FRCS (Ortho) (Edinburgh, UK)
Dr Ramesh obtained his MBBS and Master’s in Orthopaedic Surgery from the National University of Singapore and completed Advanced Surgical Training. He earned his Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Trauma and Orthopaedics. He was awarded the HMDP scholarship for a clinical fellowship in Shoulder and Knee Surgery in Dublin, followed by the Tan Tock Seng Scholarship for a Sports Fellowship in Knee Surgery in Barcelona. He also completed a Shoulder Surgery Fellowship at Hospital Del Mar and was trained in arthroscopic joint reconstruction and joint replacement surgeries.
Shoulder Pain Symptoms
Recognising shoulder pain symptoms early helps prevent worsening. Common signs include:
- Sharp, shooting pain
- Limited range of motion (Stiffness)
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling or inflammation
- Tingling or numbness down the arm
Elbow Pain Symptoms
Recognising elbow pain symptoms early helps prevent worsening. Common signs include:
- Pain when raising your hand
- Limited area of mobility for elbow joint
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the arm
- Swelling and bruising
- Deformity in the joint
Shoulder Conditions We Treat
- Dislocated Shoulder: A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper arm bone slips out of its socket, making it the most common major joint dislocation due to the shoulder’s wide range of motion.
- Rotator Cuff Tear: A tear in the rotator cuff can happen at any age, typically occurring when the tendon pulls away from your arm bone due to overuse or gradual wear and tear.
Elbow Conditions We Treat
- Elbow Dislocation: An elbow is dislocated when the humerus, ulna, and radius are knocked or pushed out of place. This is an incredibly painful injury which can make moving the elbow difficult.
- Golfer’s Elbow: Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and discomfort on the inside of your elbow.
- Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow also referred to as lateral epicondylitis, is caused by the overuse of muscles which connect your forearm to your elbow.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: A group of muscles and tendons stabilising the shoulder can be damaged by ageing, impact, or repetitive motion, causing pain, weakness, and limited movement.
- Overuse or Strain: Repetitive motions or occupational demands like heavy lifting or prolonged computer use can inflame shoulder tendons and muscles, causing pain.
- Dislocation: A shoulder dislocation happens when the upper arm bone slips out of its socket, often due to trauma or impact. It causes severe pain, swelling, deformity, and limited arm movement.
- Fractures: Shoulder fractures, often involving the clavicle, scapula, or humerus, typically result from falls, accidents, or direct trauma. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and restricted movement.
- Arthritis: Arthritis affects the shoulder through osteoarthritis (cartilage wear), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune inflammation), or post-traumatic arthritis (damage from past injury), leading to pain and stiffness.
- Frozen Shoulder: Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) limits movement as the joint capsule thickens and tightens, causing gradual pain, stiffness, and restricted motion that affects daily activities.
Common Causes of Elbow Pain
- Fall or Previous Injury: Falling from heights or previous injury that causes the tendons not to heal properly will cause the elbow pain.
- Incorrect Technique: Using incorrect techniques during physical activities can also contribute to the development of elbow pain.
- Overuse: Overuse or overexertion of the forearm muscles can lead to strain on the tendons, causing elbow pain.
- Repetitive Movements: Activities that involve repetitive gripping and wrist movements, such as playing tennis, painting, cutting meat, and weight lifting, can strain the tendons in the elbow over time.
Treatments for Shoulder and Elbow Pain
When Should You Seek Shoulder and Elbow Pain Specialist?
Recognising when to seek medical attention for shoulder and elbow pain is crucial for timely and effective treatment. Consult a healthcare professional promptly if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms:
- You are unable to perform daily activities.
- You are unable to lift objects or bear weights.
- You have a history of trauma that affects your shoulder or elbow.
- You experience numbness, tingling, or a sensation of pins and needles.
- The pain in your shoulder or elbow persists for more than a few days or becomes worse.
- There is visible swelling, redness, or deformity around the shoulder or elbow joint.
INSURANCE PARTNERS
Our Insurance Network
Corp Insurance List
- AIA
- Alliance
- Cigna
- DA Adept
- Fullerton
- Great Eastern
- HSBC
- IHP (Integrated Health Plan)
- Income
- MHC (Make Health Connect)
- Parkway Shenton
- Prudential
- Singlife
Personal Insurance List
- AIA Health Shield Gold
- Great Eastern
- HealthConnect
- HSBC Life Shield
- NTUC Income Shield
- PruShield
- Singlife Shield
International Insurance List
- Bupa
- Geoblue
- IMG Global
Our Clinics
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Address: Suite 05-31, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road Singapore 329563
Call: +65 6262 3616
Parkway East
Address: Suite 04-06 Parkway East Medical Centre, 319 Joo Chiat Pl, 427989
Call: +65 6970 8916
