Bursitis Specialist Singapore

Dr. Bryan Tan

MBBS (Singapore)

MMed (Ortho)

FRCS Ed (Orth)

Bursitis is the irritation and inflammation of the bursa, a tiny, liquid-filled sac that protects the surrounding tissues, preventing friction between the bones and soft tissues (such as muscles, tendons or ligaments). Bursitis commonly affects the hips, shoulders and elbows.It is vital to understand your symptoms and seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as early diagnosis and management can reduce the complications of bursitis.

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Dr. Bryan Tan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Sports have always played a big part in Dr Bryan’s life. His interest in sports and varied sporting activities give him a deep understanding of sports injuries and the mindset of an athlete.

The condition often develops gradually over time and is difficult to detect. This painful condition affects 2-5% of the general population.

Dr Bryan Tan is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, based in Singapore. He completed 2 fellowships in Orthopaedic Sports, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in Sydney, Australia and Nice, France. Prior to private practice, Dr Bryan was a consultant in the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore. He is currently still a visiting consultant at NUH where he actively teaches medical students and young orthopaedic surgical trainees. In addition, he travels to regional countries to teach advanced arthroscopic surgical techniques.

MBBS(Singapore)
MMed (Ortho)
FRCS Ed(Orth)

Dr. Bryan has a special interest in keyhole surgery and performs most of his surgeries using advanced, modern keyhole surgical techniques. He regularly visits fellow surgeons from other countries to ensure his skills and knowledge are cutting edge.

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What Is Bursitis?

Bursitis is the irritation and inflammation of the bursa, a tiny, liquid-filled sac that protects the surrounding tissues, preventing friction between the bones and soft tissues (such as muscles, tendons or ligaments). Bursitis commonly affects the hips, shoulders and elbows. While bursitis is a fairly common shoulder injury, it can cause significant discomfort and disrupts everyday activities.

It is vital to understand your symptoms and seek medical treatment as soon as possible, as early diagnosis and management can reduce the complications of bursitis.

What Causes Bursitis?

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How Is Bursitis Treated?

Non-Surgical Options

The common non-surgical remedies for hip bursitis include:

Rest. Avoiding excessive hip, 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, diclofenac, etoricoxib and aspirin can be taken to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
A cortisone injection may also be directly administered to the affected joint area to treat swelling.
Physical therapy may be recommended to regain the function and mobility of the joints.
Aspiration. This is the removal of excess liquid from a swollen and inflamed bursa using a special thin needle to alleviate pain. Samples of this substance may be sent for further testing if your bursa is suspected to be infected.

Surgical Options

Surgery is rarely performed for bursitis. However, your bursa may need to be removed in more severe cases or if non-surgical treatment options are ineffective in alleviating symptoms.

Bursectomy, which is the surgical drainage and removal of the bursa sac, is a standard treatment for an infected bursa.

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What’s the first step?

Embark on Your Road to Recovery With Dr Bryan Tan

step 1

Book An Appointment
With Dr. Bryan

Our friendly clinic staff will assist you with your registration, ensuring an efficient and hassle-free process for you. Fill up this form to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bryan.

step 2

Initial Consultation & Diagnosis of your Condition

During your consultation, Dr. Bryan will evaluate your medical history and the pain you are experiencing. You may also ask Dr. Bryan any questions you may have about your condition.

step 3

Treatment & Follow Up Visits With Dr. Bryan

After your consultation with Dr. Bryan, our friendly clinic staff will assist you with your follow-up appointment, and provide you with instructions/information for any prescribed treatment plans from Dr. Bryan.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Is bursitis serious? When should I visit a doctor?

Most of the time bursitis symptoms such as pain and irritation are short term and will typically resolve by itself within a few weeks. However, if left untreated, it may result in further complications which may make treatment of the condition more difficult.

You should seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms persist for an extended period of time or if they impede your daily functions to a significant extent.

Can you get bursitis again?

You can get bursitis more than once in the same area. When you have repeated bursitis, it becomes a chronic (long-lasting) condition. While most bursitis may come and go, repeated flare-ups may damage the bursa over time, reducing your mobility in that joint.

How to Prevent Bursitis?

The key to preventing bursitis is to minimise pressure on your joints.

The following prevention tips may be helpful:

Warm-up and stretch your body before exercising
Take frequent interval breaks when exercising, particularly when you use your shoulders, hips or arms repeatedly
Avoid excessive and sudden joint movements
Maintain a healthy weight