These are two areas of specialisation are often related as they can be caused by trauma, accidents, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders. Orthopaedic specialists deal with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system and may use both invasive surgical and non-invasive as well as non-surgical means to correct and treat the problem.
Orthopaedic Specialist Services
Our mobility is crucial in living an enriched and fulfilled life and plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health. Any injury to our bones and/or muscles can lead to serious health complications especially if left untreated. Gleneagles Hospitals' Orthopaedic Specialist team comprises of a panel of expert surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses, all working together to ensure your recovery is a speedy and pleasant one.Joint Replacement Surgery
Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Treatment Types
Discectomy
Limb Knee Reconstruction
Total Knee Replacement
Corrective Spine Osteotomy
Tumour Excision
Total Hip Replacement
Carpal Tunnel Release
Trigger Finger Surgery
Amputation
Decompression Laminectomy / Laminotomy
Knee Arthroscopy
List of Orthopaedic Conditions We Treat
Elbow
- Dislocation
- Golfer's elbow
- Tennis elbow
Knees
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
- Anterior knee pain (runner's knee) / chondromalacia patellae (CMP)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
- Meniscus tear / knocked knee chondromalacia patellae (CMP)
- Knee arthritis
- Knee bursitis
- Osgood Schlatter disease
- Osteoarthritis (locked knee)
- Patella femoral syndrome (knee cap pain)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury
- Patella tendonitis (jumper's knee)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
Spine
- Degenerative spine condition
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Neck pain
- Nerve decompression
- Sciatica (pinched nerve)
- Scoliosis
- Slipped disc
- Spondylolisthesis (misaligned backbone)
Sports Injury
- Degenerative spine condition
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Neck pain
- Nerve decompression
- Sciatica (pinched nerve)
- Scoliosis
- Slipped disc
- Spondylolisthesis (misaligned backbone)
Paediatric Orthopaedics
- Bowing of the knee (genu varum)
- Clubfoot -Dwarfism
- Greenstick fractures
- Growing pains
- In-toeing gait
- Limb length discrepancy
- Torticollis (wry neck)
Ankles & Feet
- Achilles tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Cartilage damage
- Diabetic foot problem
- Dislocation
- Fractures
- Gout
- Plantar fasciitis (foot pain)
- Sprains
- Tendonitis
Hands & Wrists
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (painful wrist condition)
- Ganglion cysts
- Hand arthritis
- Hand fractures
- Hand trauma
- Trigger finger
- Wrist ligament injury
Musculoskeletal Tumour
- Benign tumour
- Metastasis
- Primary cancers of the bones (bone tumour)
- Primary cancers of the soft tissues
Shoulders
- Cuff tears
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff injury
- Shoulder dislocation (chronic)
- Shoulder instability
- Shoulder tendonitis
Hips
- Hip arthritis
- Hip bursitis
- Hip dislocation (congenital)
- Hip fractures
- Lumbar pain
- Osteonecrosis
- Snapping hip syndrome
Types of Diagnostic Tests
Electromyogram (EMG)
To evaluate the electrical activity and muscular response times to nerve stimulation, EMG diagnostic tests are recommended as they can help detect muscle and nerve disorders as well as those that affect their connectivity.
EMGs require the insertion of sometimes one if not more electrode needles through the skin into muscle tissue in order to record electrical activity of the muscles.
Needle (Open Biopsy)
Bone biopsy procedures require bone samples to be taken and scrutinised for abnormal cell activity.
Needle biopsies require a small incision of the skin and a needle is inserted into the bone to retrieve a sample. But fret not as this biopsy is performed under local anesthesia.
Open biopsies however require a much larger incision of the skin and a piece of bone is surgically removed instead. But relax, this procedure is performed under complete general anesthesia.
Physical Examination
Imaging Diagnostic Techniques
Computerised Tomography (CT) Scan
This is a diagnostic imaging method which makes use of x-rays to digitally produce cross sectional images of one's bones, blood vessels and soft tissues within the body.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Also known as sonography, this is a non-invasive technique which makes use of high-frequency sound waves to produce digital images of structures inside the body. High resolution imaging enables our specialists to detect any tendon tears, tiny calcifications as well as foreign bodies.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
This procedure utilises x-rays to assess factors such as bone density when diagnosing for osteoporosis. DXA is also capable to predict an individual's level of fracture risk which is useful for post-treatment monitoring.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
As a noninvasive imaging technique, the MRI utilises magnetic fielding and pulses of radio waves to produce pictures of bones as well as soft tissues. Because the MRI doesn't use x-rays it currently has no known side effects. The MRI can also be used to effectively diagnose and assess a wide array of medical conditions that affect soft tissues.
Magnetic Resonance Arthrography (MRA)
Similar to the MRI, MRA however produces much better images due to a contrast solution (gadolinium) being injected into the affected joint, allowing its structures and soft tissues to highlight tears and defects. The MRA is usually used to determine joint conditions and can efficiently detect any ligament, tendon as well as cartilage related diseases.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
This medical imaging procedure allows for more detailed information on organ functions or systems in the body. PET Images provide the specialist with physiological information regarding the bone and is mainly used to detect issues such as abnormal bone growth associated with tumours or other abnormalities.
Blood Tests
Clinical Excellence: Value-Driven Outcome (VDO)
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Knee surgery, particularly Total Knee Replacement (TKR), is a complex procedure, especially for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis. At Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, we recognize the challenges and prioritize the patient's voice in our approach to outcomes. We meticulously evaluate each TKR surgery at 3-month and 6-month intervals, utilizing the Knee Society Score (KSS) to measure and compare results against Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) and Substantial Targets.
This precision-driven approach ensures that the impact of TKR transcends the surgical realm, resulting in significant improvements in both quality of life and mobility. This exemplifies our commitment to comprehensive and transformative orthopaedic care.
Patient’s Journey
Patient visits doctor to determine if TKR is recommended. | Patient is referred for same-day pre-operative physiotherapy. | PROMs (KSS) survey and pre-operative physiotherapy are conducted for the patient in rehab. | Patient undergoes surgery in GKL | Physiotherapy is administered for the patient during admission until discharge. | The patient attends physiotherapy sessions for three months. *3 months post-surgery PROMs (KSS) survey is conducted again to assess the patient's progress. | The patient continues physiotherapy sessions for an additional three months. *6 months post-surgery PROMs (KSS) survey is conducted to monitor the patient's progress. |
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Survey
Through our Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Survey, we carefully measure our patient’s perception of health and functional well-being post-TKR surgery. PROMs are standardized questionnaires completed by patients, providing insights into health perception and functional well-being. The hospital conducts these surveys before and after treatment to understand any changes in the patient’s condition and quality of life. Working closely with patients and clinicians, PROMs give us a full picture of our patients' health and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID)
When it comes to knee surgery, Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur uses a benchmark called Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID). Our aim is for patients to see a minimum score increase of 9 points at 3 months and 40 points at 6 months post-surgery.
One notable achievement is reaching a 100% rate in the MCID benchmark within 3 and 6 months post-surgery, underscoring substantial improvements in pain reduction, daily function, and overall quality of life.
KSS Reference:
2011 Knee Society Scoring System© (2011KSS)
The Knee Society (https://www.kneesociety.org/the-knee-society-score)
MCID Reference:
Van der Wees, P.J., Wammes, J.J.G., Akkermans, R.P. et al. Patient-reported health outcomes after total hip and knee surgery in a Dutch University Hospital Setting: results of twenty years clinical registry. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 18, 97 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1455-y
Lizaur-Utrilla, A., Gonzalez-Parreño, S., Martinez-Mendez, D. et al. Minimal clinically important differences and substantial clinical benefits for Knee Society Scores. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 28, 1473–1478 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05543-x
https://d-nb.info/1212656903/34
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) is a surgical intervention aimed at replacing a damaged ligament, requiring a delicate blend of precision and excellence. At Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, our commitment extends beyond technical proficiency to encompass stringent adherence to quality indicators.
Our 2023 performance statistics not only reflect exceptional results but also demonstrate our unwavering focus on patient safety. By surpassing international benchmarks in key areas such as prophylactic antibiotic administration, blood transfusion rates, complications, readmission prevention, and post-operative rehabilitation, we continuously strive to assure our patients of a level of care that goes above and beyond established standards.
Patient’s Journey
Patient visits doctor to determine if ACLR is recommended. | Patient is referred for same-day pre-operative physiotherapy. | PROMs (KSS) survey and pre-operative physiotherapy are conducted for the patient in rehab. | Patient undergoes surgery in GKL | Physiotherapy is administered for the patient during admission until discharge. | The patient attends physiotherapy sessions for three months. *3 months post-surgery PROMs (KSS) survey is conducted again to assess the patient's progress. | The patient continues physiotherapy sessions for an additional three months. *6 months post-surgery PROMs (KSS) survey is conducted to monitor the patient's progress. |
ACLR Surgery Outcomes: Insights from 2023 Data Analysis
ACLR International Benchmark Reference:
Annals of Medicine and Surgery: Analysis of postoperative complications following elective arthroscopic surgeries of the knee- a retrospective cohort study
The Knee: Complications following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the English NHS
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy: Inpatient admission following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is associated with higher postoperative complications
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy: Procedure length is independently associated with overnight hospital stay and 30-day readmission following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation: Operative Time Less Than 1.5 Hours, Male Sex, Dependent Functional Status, Presence of Dyspnea, and Reoperations Within 30 days Are Independent Risk Factors for Readmission After ACLR