Exercise is Medicine: Unlocking Joint Health and Empowering Movement

Dr James Tan landscape
Words
Sheralyn Tay
Photography
Juliana Tan, Getty Images and Unsplash
Related Tags

Exercise is Medicine: Unlocking Joint Health and Empowering Movement

Orthopaedics may primarily be a surgical specialty associated with conditions of the musculoskeletal system, but it is also about keeping people well and moving, without necessarily going under the knife.

At Quantum Orthopaedics, Dr James Tan aims to quash the common misconception that seeing him for orthopaedic treatment will invariably lead to surgery.

He emphasises his mission to partner with patients in their musculoskeletal health through a spectrum of treatments with surgical intervention only where appropriate.

As a doctor and avid cyclist, runner, and golfer, his goal is to help people regain their function and quality of life and be as active as possible in the sports and activities they love.

Dr James Tan consult
Dr James Tan

With over 10 years of experience in sports surgery and exercise medicine, Dr Tan is an expert in treating sports injuries of the knee, shoulder, and elbow joints, as well as cartilage and meniscus.

He is also well-versed in minimally invasive keyhole tendon and ligament repair, joint replacement, and muscle and tendon transfers of the shoulder joint.

Apart from surgery, Dr Tan has a keen interest in non-surgical joint rejuvenation and restoration treatments. One promising area is biologics, such as hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

Dr James Tan injecting knee
Dr James Tan injecting a knee joint (simulated)

Hyaluronic acid injections are often used to treat osteoarthritis and arthritis in the knee.

The gel-like substance is injected into the knee joint, increasing lubrication and improving the 'cushioning' effect between the bones to reduce pain. It may also promote the regrowth of cartilage and bone.

Hyaluronic acid injections
(Taken from New Regeneration Orthopedics)

PRP injections use platelets taken from the patient’s own blood mixed into a plasma base.

When injected into an injured area, the platelet-rich plasma releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells, enhancing the body's natural healing process.

PRP injections are usually used for soft tissue injuries, such as minor rotator cuff and Achilles tendon tears, tendonitis, and conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. They can also be used to treat ligament and muscle injuries.

PRP Therapy
(Taken from Columbia Orthopaedic Group)

“There is new evidence that PRP plus the gel, when used in conjunction, can help reduce symptoms much more effectively,” he adds.

Other treatments include collagen injections that are administered directly into injured soft tissues.

“This form of collagen is more effective than oral supplements and is especially useful in instances when tissues are inflamed but not necessarily injured; it is good for chronic neck and back pain.”

Getty images I0tg Mq10i AE unsplash

One of the newest protocols is polynucleotide injections. According to Dr Tan, this gel contains salmon DNA, a bio-stimulator that promotes tissue regeneration and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

“It can be used for knee osteoarthritis, bursitis, as well as injuries in the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.”

Such treatments address the root of the problem, compared to pain or anti-inflammatory medications, which only tackle the symptoms, he notes.

“We are moving away from not only symptom relief, but getting to the source of the problem.”

“We are moving away from not only symptom relief, but getting to the source of the problem.”
Dr James Tan

He adds that it is important to approach musculoskeletal health beyond surgery but to find ways to extend the ‘runway’ of health by alleviating joint damage and minimising pain for more sustained periods, so surgery can be delayed for as long as possible without compromising activity levels.

He also highlights that joint rejuvenation and restoration are a two-part approach.

“First, we treat what is happening inside the joint, but just as important, we want to strengthen what's outside the joint – the muscles.”

This is where he takes a multidisciplinary and big-picture approach to care. Depending on a patient’s injury and preferred activity, he refers them to physiotherapists with niche specialties in specific sports and injury expertise to transition safely back to their sport.

Max titov xt RW Iviknsw unsplash

He also emphasises that his partnership with patients does not end with the healing of an injury or the conclusion of successful surgery.

“I believe in managing people at every stage,” he says.

“There is the wellness phase, making sure people stay well with good, healthy joints. And there is the early disease stage, where I try to prevent issues from progressing and push them towards wellness and maintain them at this stage. But if things advance and surgery is required, I am focused on not just the surgery itself but the healing that takes place afterward.”

Dr James Tan examining knee cropped
Dr James Tan examining a patient's knee (simulated)

His philosophy, he adds, is that “exercise is medicine”.

“My goal is to help people go back to the sport they love. It may require more monitoring and some modifications, but it is about taking people back to what gives them pleasure.

"For many people, their sport is about quality of life and may even be what defines them. So, it's very important to me to meet a patient's goals.”

Getty images 9 Tcmk ZRS47 Y unsplash

Find Dr Tan on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @drjames.rayofhealth

Skeletal Structures

The information provided in this article is meant purely for general information purposes only and may not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. The views, information or opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the writer and the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of, and are not endorsed by, Camden Medical.

Related Conversations
Health is more than the absence of disease. It is a multidimensional concept that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Be it a sprain, strain or surgery, the road to recovery may be faster, safer and more effective if it is complemented with rehabilitation.