Shoulder Bursitis

DR. ONG KEE LEONG

Shoulder bursitis is a fairly common shoulder injury. Although it may cause significant discomfort and disrupt everyday activities, it can be treated with professional help. We strongly recommend seeking medical advice early to prevent the injury from worsening and avoid more serious complications.

What Is Shoulder Bursitis?

Shoulder bursitis is a condition where the bursa becomes irritated and inflamed, resulting in pain and loss of shoulder mobility. The bursa is a tiny, fluid-filled sac that is found near joints, which acts as a cushion to prevent muscles and bones from rubbing against each other.

What Does Shoulder Bursitis Feel Like?

Some of the common symptoms include:

Noticeable swelling
Redness and warmth at the affected area
Sharp pain when moving your shoulders and arms
Tenderness at the shoulder or arm area

Causes of Shoulder Bursitis

Overuse of the shoulders
Injury
Infection
Inflammation from other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and thyroid disorders

How Will Your Dr. Ong Diagnose Shoulder Bursitis?

In addition to a physical examination to check for swelling and redness, other diagnostic tests may include:

Imaging tests – An x-ray examination can eliminate other issues that may be causing pain. Furthermore, ultrasound and MRI scans can also produce a clearer image of your shoulder joints to confirm the diagnosis.
Lab tests – Your doctor may use a thin needle to extract fluid (aspiration) from your bursa to test for infection. Alternatively, blood tests may be conducted to confirm or eliminate other conditions.

Treatments for Shoulder Bursitis

Non-Surgical Treatment

Common treatment methods include:

Rest. Avoiding excessive shoulder and arm movement can prevent further irritation and inflammation of your bursa.
Ice compression can minimise swelling and redness.
Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can be taken to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
Physical therapy may be recommended to regain the mobility and strength of the shoulder.
Cortisone injection. This method is directly administered to the swollen area to treat swelling.

Surgical Treatment

In more severe cases of shoulder bursitis, surgery may be recommended. Bursectomy, which is the surgical drainage and removal of the bursa sac, is a standard treatment performed by a shoulder specialist.

How to Prevent Shoulder Bursitis?

Warm-up and stretch your shoulders before exercising
Strengthen your shoulder muscles slowly
Take frequent interval breaks when using your shoulder repeatedly
Avoid excessive and sudden shoulder movements
Adopt a proper posture of shoulders when exercising to reduce strain on shoulder joints

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: