When you look at our muscles and bones, you may notice how intricate the structure is. You are held together by hundreds of bones, ligaments, joints, and muscles. Yet, this intricate structure does not mean that you are entirely defenceless. When they work together, the musculoskeletal system can give you the power to move forward and endure massive stresses on the body. Even the possibility of supporting your body weight becomes magical when you think about it.

But just because you have bodily structure keeping you active and physically fit does not mean you are immune to injury. An orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore is the perfect person to help you with any issues you may encounter.

When we think about vital organs, we may rarely think about any part of this system; yet they are responsible for how we live our lives. Yes, we need our lungs, heart, liver, and other organs to keep us alive, but we should not overlook the musculoskeletal system and how it helps us every day.

Think about how often our muscles and bones undergo difficult trials and tribulations. Even if you are not an athlete, you still run and jump, move around constantly, use your muscles for mundane tasks like writing or cooking, and more. Because of these intense (or continuous and constant) activities, your system constantly protects itself from dangers such as shoulder tears or metabolic diseases like osteoporosis.

Why does orthopaedics matter so much?

For the reasons mentioned above, maintaining a healthy musculoskeletal system matters. Living a healthy and active life means preventing conditions such as the shoulder labral tear in Singapore. These conditions can severely impact your flexibility and mobility and lower your quality of life. As a person who participates in activities that require dexterity, you will be heavily affected.

No one wants to get physically injured. But for some conditions, it may not become apparent until you have experienced it for several days to weeks, or it takes too long to recover from it. Do not wait until you are permanently disfigured or affected to realise the value of your musculoskeletal system.

As soon as you sense something may be wrong, call an orthopaedist. An orthopaedist is a person who specialises in orthopaedics. It is known as the branch of medicine concerned with the musculoskeletal system. When you go to an orthopaedist or orthopaedic surgeon, they may be able to diagnose the cause of your pain or issues and administer treatment.

Treatment and advice are especially crucial when talking about shoulder conditions. As the second largest joints in the body, the shoulders are points of interest to your orthopaedist. A shoulder rotator cuff tear is painful enough to put you out of commission for weeks to months. Even minor shoulder pains can grow over time.

If you are an athlete, you may want to find ways to prevent injuries from happening to your shoulders and how to protect your shoulders before your game, match, or session begins. Thankfully, after much knowledge and experience in this area, orthopaedists have devised many tips and tricks for athletes.

How to prevent shoulder injuries from happening in the first place

Playing sports comes with certain risks. High-contact sports like basketball or football may open you up to common shoulder injuries, but a shoulder SLAP tear and other tears affecting ligaments in your shoulders are more serious. Sometimes you may not rotate, twist, or move your shoulders like before.

Reach out to an orthopaedist (more specifically, a sports orthopaedist) to know about the potential risks of your game. Any game that involves your shoulders should be treated with caution—for example, games like tennis or badminton. Ask them about your options regarding how to protect yourself from game-ending injuries. Lastly, heed these tips on how to prevent shoulder tears and other injuries.

1) Do warm-ups before exercise

Playing even the most relaxing games like golf can do a number on your shoulders. You mustn’t “shock” your muscles when you play by warming them up beforehand. Do the necessary stretches, warm-up exercises, and more. Your body is less likely to get stiff during play. Less stiff muscles mean that shoulder injuries are less likely.

2) Listen to what your body is telling you

If you feel sore or pained in any way, do not continue playing. It will only result in more serious injuries. Instead, inform a nearby doctor or pause the game to attend to your muscles. Your overall health is worth more than a few great plays. If you continue to play, you could risk getting a shoulder labral tear in Singapore.

3) Avoid repeated intense motions in succession

When you wave your hands overhead, your shoulders take a little bit of the strain it takes to move your arms. Normally, it takes this with little problem. Doing it repeatedly and abusing your shoulders can quickly lead to a tear or other injuries. Avoid overusing your shoulders and refrain from repeated motions that may injure your shoulders.

4) Stay in shape, strike the right posture

The last tip is by far the simplest one. All you need to do is stay in shape if you want to build muscle strength and protect your shoulders. Regular exercise can mitigate any risks associated with hurt shoulders and injuries. Remember to also fix your posture as your posture can also determine the strength of your muscles. Practice keeping your shoulders balanced and try to take breaks between your games and exercises. This is the best way to avoid injuries.

Advanced Orthopaedic and Sports Centre helps athletes and other individuals recover from critical musculoskeletal injuries. Learn more about how you can get lifesaving hip arthritis treatment and other medical services.