DR. ONG KEE LEONG
Tennis Elbow
Although tennis elbow can be painful and may significantly disrupt your daily tasks, it is generally treatable without surgery. However, as the symptoms of tennis elbow may be gradual and not noticeable initially, it is vital to seek an orthopaedic specialist if you suspect you may have injured your arm or elbow.
Book AppointmentWhat Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is the swelling of tendon tissues (tendinitis) that attach the muscle to the elbow. It typically occurs when the tendons of your forearm muscles tear, causing significant pain in your elbow and arm.
Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only affect individuals who play tennis. This condition can develop in anyone who regularly performs repetitive gripping activities that use the forearm muscles.
What Causes It?
Being a common condition diagnosed by elbow specialists, tennis elbow is primarily caused by overuse of the forearm muscles.
This may place excessive stress on the muscles, resulting in microscopic tears in the tendon tissues that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow.
What Are the Symptoms?
- Weakness in grip strength
- Tenderness
- Gradual burning pain on the outer part of your elbow
How Is It Examined & Diagnosed?
The initial diagnosis of tennis elbow may consist of a review of your medical and exercise history, as well as a physical examination.
Further imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI scan may be required to eliminate other possible injuries.
What Are the Treatment Options?
- Rest. Avoiding excessive arm movements to heal and prevent further damages.
- Ice. Applying an ice compress on the affected area.
- Anti-inflammatory medications. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate swelling.
- Physical therapy. Simple stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Other conservative treatment. Alternative non-surgical options may also include Botox injections and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
- Surgery. If non-surgical treatment options fail to alleviate pain, surgery may be recommended to remove the damaged tissues.
Tips on Preventing Tennis Elbow
- Warming-up and stretching before any exercising
- Stop any activity that causes pain immediately
- Adopt proper posture and training techniques when playing sports such as tennis
- Schedule interval rests between any exercises or sports
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
- Fellowship Trained Surgeon With 15 Years Of Experience In Orthopaedic Conditions
- Personalised And Professional Approach To Deliver High-Quality Orthopaedic Care Based On The Most Up-To-Date Literature
- Detailed Aftercare Plan To Ensure Smooth, Long-Term Recovery
- Problem-Oriented, Well-Organised and Individualized Treatment Plans Catered To Your Specific Needs
- Specialist In The Management Of Sports Injuries And Degenerative Conditions Of The Shoulder And Knee Joints
- Knowledgeable And Pleasant Clinical Staff To Assist You With Your Every Need Detailed Aftercare Plan To Ensure
- 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)
“Moving your body the way nature intended is a freedom not well appreciated until it is lost. We are passionate about getting you back in the game, and staying in the game. My team and I are fully committed to returning you to the life and activities you love.”
Dr. Ong Kee Leong
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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
Awards & Teaching
- Dr. Ong had received numerous awards such as Best Service and Eastern Health Alliance Caring (Gold) Awards.
- He also has an interest in clinical research and has written papers in multiple peer-review journals. As a Core Faculty of Singhealth Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, he oversees the training of junior orthopaedic surgeons.
- Regularly invited to teach local and regional surgeons in Shoulder and Knee Surgery Courses.
- He is a recipient of multiple teaching awards including the Singhealth Residency Outstanding Faculty Awards from 2014-2016 and Changi General Hospital Outstanding Educator Awards 2015-2016.
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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:
- NTUC Income’s IncomeShield and Enhanced IncomeShield
- American International Assurance International Co’s (AIA) HealthShield Gold
- Great Eastern Life Assurance Co’s SupremeHealth and SupremeHealth Plus
- Aviva Ltd’s MyShield
- Prudential Assurance Co’s PRUShield
- AXA Shield
