Tennis Elbow

DR. ONG KEE LEONG

Although tennis elbow can be painful and may significantly disrupt your daily tasks, it is generally treatable without surgery. However, as the symptoms of tennis elbow may be gradual and not noticeable initially, it is vital to seek an orthopaedic specialist if you suspect you may have injured your arm or elbow.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is the swelling of tendon tissues (tendinitis) that attach the muscle to the elbow. It typically occurs when the tendons of your forearm muscles tear, causing significant pain in your elbow and arm.

Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only affect individuals who play tennis. This condition can develop in anyone who regularly performs repetitive gripping activities that use the forearm muscles.

What Causes It?

Being a common condition diagnosed by elbow specialists, tennis elbow is primarily caused by overuse of the forearm muscles.

This may place excessive stress on the muscles, resulting in microscopic tears in the tendon tissues that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow.

What Are the Symptoms?

Weakness in grip strength
Tenderness
Gradual burning pain on the outer part of your elbow

How Is It Examined & Diagnosed?

The initial diagnosis of tennis elbow may consist of a review of your medical and exercise history, as well as a physical examination.

Further imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI scan may be required to eliminate other possible injuries.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Rest. Avoiding excessive arm movements to heal and prevent further damages.
Ice. Applying an ice compress on the affected area.
Anti-inflammatory medications. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate swelling.
Physical therapy. Simple stretching and strengthening exercises.
Other conservative treatment. Alternative non-surgical options may also include Botox injections and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
Surgery. If non-surgical treatment options fail to alleviate pain, surgery may be recommended to remove the damaged tissues.

Tips on Preventing Tennis Elbow

Warming-up and stretching before any exercising
Stop any activity that causes pain immediately
Adopt proper posture and training techniques when playing sports such as tennis
Schedule interval rests between any exercises or sports

Why Do Patients Choose
Dr Ong Kee Leong?

Dr. Ong Is Passionate In Sports, Giving Him A Deep Understanding Of Sports-Related Injuries And How They Can Be Treated
Personalised And Professional Approach To Deliver High-Quality Orthopaedic Care Based On The Most Up-To-Date Literature
Fellowship Trained Surgeon With 15 Years Of Experience In Orthopaedic Conditions
Detailed Aftercare Plan To Ensure Smooth, Long-Term Recovery
Problem-Oriented, Well-Organised & Individualized Treatment Plans Catered To Your Specific Needs
Specialist In The Management Of Sports Injuries & Degenerative Conditions Of Shoulder & Knee Joints
Knowledgeable and pleasant clinical staff to assist you with your every need detailed aftercare plan
Our Care Is Conveniently Accessible At Mount Elizabeth Novena and Farrer Park Hospital
Minimal Waiting Time For Initial Consultation
Assistance With Medical Claims (e.g. Medisave & Integrated Shield Plans)

“At our clinic, we generally try to explore non-surgical treatment such as activities modification, physiotherapy and orthotics before recommending invasive intervention options.”

DR ONG KEE LEONG

About Dr. Ong Kee Leong

Senior Consultant, MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Dr. Ong Kee Leong is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. He subspecializes in shoulder and knee, foot and ankle, hand wrist and elbow surgeries, arthroscopic sports surgery, and the management of sports-related injuries.

He has been registered with the Singapore Medical Council as a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery since 2011.

MBBS, National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Medicine 2001
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2007
Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery (NUS) 2007
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Orthopaedic Surgery 2011
Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) Scholarship, Ministry of Health 2012-2013
Sports Surgery and Arthroscopy in Germany (Hannover)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Lee Kong Chian School Of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University
Senior Clinical Lecturer, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS

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Billing & Payment

Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation,
and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes).

Modes of Payment

We accept the following modes of payment:

Cash
PayNow & PayLah
All major Credit Cards

If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.

Can I Claim Through My Medisave Account? (For Singaporeans and PR)

Yes, you can. Our Clinic is an accredited day surgery clinic by the Ministry of Health. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may use their Medisave for eligible orthopaedic inpatient procedures and hospitalizations.

The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure. If you have any enquiries, feel free to speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your Medisave account.

Integrated Shield Plans (Singaporeans and PRs)

Yes, patients who have purchased Integrated Shield plans with riders for co-insurance and deductibles will be able to use them in our clinic for eligible procedures. For more information, contact us to find out if your procedure is claimable.

The 6 Approved Integrated Shield Insurers are: