Bone Health

Like the structure of a building, bones provide a frame for your body. Whether you are tapping on your handphone or running a marathon, bones support every little movement you make.

As you grow up, your body accumulates bone mass, reaching its peak when you are around 30 years old. While it is important to build strong and healthy bones in your younger days, protecting your bones during adulthood will serve you for many years to come.

A few simple steps, like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can go a long way to keep your bones healthy.

Learn more about bone health and how we can help should you sustain a bone injury.

Bone density and bone loss

Bones are living tissues. Your body constantly breaks down old bones and grows new tissues to replace them. Although bone replacement slows down in your 20s, many people achieve their peak bone mass in their 30s. If you have a higher peak bone mass, your bones are stronger. You are less likely to develop osteoporosis, a condition in which your bones become brittle and fragile.

Bone mineral density, also known as BMD, is a measure of the amount of mineral in your bone tissue. When your body loses bone tissue, your bones decrease in mass and become less dense. This increases your risk of suffering a fracture if you fall.

A BMD test helps to detect osteoporosis and assess your fracture risk. It can also track the progress of treatments for conditions that cause bone loss.

Tips to keep your bones healthy

Losing bone mass can make you prone to osteoporosis.

Strengthening your bones starts with proper nutrition and food that promotes healthy bones. Add plenty of calcium and vitamin D to your diet, and include weight-bearing exercises in your daily routine. Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking and stair climbing. In addition, cut down on alcohol and try not to smoke, so as to prevent bone loss.

Learn more about keeping your bones healthy and preventing osteoporosis.

Did you know? A woman is at higher risk for osteoporosis after menopause, when a drop in oestrogen levels results in faster bone loss.

Common orthopaedic disorders

Ageing, injury, poor posture or high-impact sports can affect your musculoskeletal system, comprising your bones, muscles, joints and ligaments. Take care of your bone health and avoid common orthopaedic conditions related to these parts:

Back and spine – The spine is vital for the body’s structure and physical function. Any injury to the spine could lead to severe consequences.
Foot and ankle – Foot and ankle injuries are common, especially among older adults and athletes. In certain cases, surgical intervention may be required to prevent long-term consequences.
Hand – Common causes of hand injuries include impact during sports, ageing wear and tear and accidental falls. Certain injuries may lead to serious conditions that can affect hand function in the long run.
Knee – Knee injuries can be caused by sports or recreational activities, accidental falls and ageing wear and tear. Certain knee injuries may lead to long-term consequences if not treated promptly.
Shoulder – Shoulder injuries are commonly sustained due to ageing or sports that require repetitive and excessive overhead motion. Examples of these sports include tennis, badminton, swimming and weightlifting.

Common sports injuries

Your body benefits from a good workout. However, sports or exercise can lead to injuries if you do not warm up your muscles sufficiently or condition your body for the activity. At times, you may overwork your muscles or joints. If you are not using proper equipment, accidents can also happen.

Find out more about the common sports injuries and how to protect your bones:

Did you know? A baby has 270 bones at birth, some of which fuse together to become 206 bones in adulthood.

Badminton

Basketball

Football

Golf

Running

Tennis

Learn more: Are you injured? Early signs of a sports injury

Bone care at Mount Elizabeth

moving-freely

At Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, our team of specialised orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and occupational therapists work together to diagnose and treat your orthopaedic conditions.

We are committed to delivering quality healthcare services to our patients. Our multidisciplinary team of orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists will guide you through the entire treatment and recovery process with care and professionalism.

Our orthopaedic specialists are skilled in procedures such as:

Ankle arthroscopic fusion surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery
Shoulder arthroscopic surgery, including labral repair, rotator cuff repair
Knee arthroscopic surgery, including ligament reconstruction, meniscus and cartilage repair
Hip preservation surgery, including hip arthroscopy and pelvic osteotomy
Sarcoma (bone tumour) removal and treatment
Spine surgery

Patients can also benefit from Mount Elizabeth Hospitals’ equipment and facilities. Our minimally invasive techniques reduce trauma and scarring while improving success rates. Computer-aided robotic surgery such as the robotic partial knee replacement procedure allows for added precision during surgical procedures.

Our orthopaedic specialists

100+

specialists

At Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, our team of orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and occupational therapists work closely together to get you back on your feet again.

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Check out common sports injuries and conditions that may affect your bones.

Back and spine

The spine is vital for the body’s structure and physical function. Injury to the spinal area may result in severe health consequences or even paralysis. Common back and spine conditions include:

Foot and ankle

Foot and ankle injuries are common, especially among older adults and athletes. Common foot and ankle conditions include:

Hand and wrist

Injuries to the hand and wrist can happen in daily activities. Causes of hand injuries include impact during sports, ageing, wear and tear, and accidental falls. Common hand and wrist conditions include:

Hip

Your hip bones support the weight of your body. Any injury to your hip affects your movements. Common hip conditions include:

Hip bursitis
Hip arthritis
Hip fracture
Hip dysplasia
Hip dislocation
Hip labral tears
Snapping hip syndrome
Femoroacetabular impingement
Avascular necrosis of the hip
Muscle tears around the hip

Knee

Knee injuries can result from sports or recreational activities, accidental falls and ageing or wear and tear. Certain knee injuries may lead to long term consequences if not treated promptly. Common knee conditions include:

Shoulder

Shoulder injuries are commonly sustained due to ageing, or during sports activities that require repetitive and excessive overhead motion. Common shoulder conditions include:

Fracture
Dislocation
Golfer's elbow
Clavicle fracture
SLAP (superior labrum anterior posterior) tears
Rotator cuff injury
Shoulder arthritis
Frozen shoulder
Tennis elbow

Sports and orthopaedic injuries commonly occur, and if left untreated, may lead to chronic problems or serious complications in the future. Often, prompt medical care and targeted procedural treatment can help prevent loss of mobility and improve quality of life.

Your treatment will begin with a careful diagnosis to determine the site and severity of the issue before we tailor a care plan for your recovery. Depending on the nature of your bone injury or condition, your treatment may include certain changes to your lifestyle, medication or injections.

Learn more about related orthopaedic treatments.

Your recovery

In most injuries, your bone has a natural ability to repair itself. Depending on your condition and general health, healing can take weeks or months.

During your recovery journey, your care team will support you with tips on self-care and bone health, pain relief medications and suitable medical procedures.

Once your bone has healed, your doctor may recommend rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, gait analysis, post-operation rehabilitation, prosthetics and orthotics.

With customised one-to-one guidance and exercise prescription, our focus is to help you achieve your lifestyle goals. To protect you from bone loss and further injuries, we will guide you on how to keep your bones strong and healthy.

Shoulder Pain

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