DR. ONG KEE LEONG
ACL Injury Treatment in Singapore
The ACL is commonly injured when there is excessive strain on the ligament due to direct trauma to the knee, pivoting, or hyperextension of the knee.
Book AppointmentWhat Is The ACL?
The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is one of the major ligaments in your knee. It lies in the middle of the knee, connecting your shin bone (tibia) to your thigh bone (femur), and helps stabilize your knee joint.
What are the causes of an ACL injury?
- The ACL can be injured if your knee joint is overly straightened or twisted, or if a sudden force hits your knee. If more than one of these movements occur at the same time, the risk of injury is higher.
- ACL injuries occur most frequently during sports, where manoeuvers that require sudden stops or sudden direction change are required. Examples of such movements include pivoting or sidestepping in sports such as basketball, soccer, or rugby.
- ACL injuries can also occur when you land forcefully on one leg in sports like volleyball, or when the knee is bent backward if you fall or land a jump awkwardly.
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For Singaporeans & Singapore Permanent Residents
“At our clinic, we generally try to explore non-surgical treatment such as activities modification, physiotherapy and orthotics before recommending invasive intervention options.”
Dr. Ong Kee Leong
What Are The Symptoms Of An ACL Injury?
The signs and symptoms of an ACL Injury commonly include one or more of the following:
- Hearing or feeling a ‘pop’ or ‘popping’ sensation in the knee
- Severe pain
- Feeling of instability or buckling in the knee
- Swelling of the knee
- Loss in range of movement in the knee
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)
Why Choose Us
Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Ong is fellowship trained with 15 years of experience in orthopaedic conditions, with a subspecialty in the management of sports injuries and degenerative conditions of the shoulder and knee joints. Dr. Ong uses a personal and professional approach to deliver high-quality care, based on the most up-to-date medical literature.
Passionate About Sports Medicine
Dr. Ong Is Passionate In Sports, Giving Him A Deep Understanding Of Sports-Related Injuries And How They Can Be Treated
Advanced Treatments
Our treatment plans are problem-oriented, well organised and personalised, catering to each of your specific needs. We are also committed to seeing you through to recovery, where individualized aftercare plans are designed to ensure a smooth and long-term recovery.
Fast Recovery
Our individualized treatment plans are designed to treat the cause of your injury quickly. We are passionate about getting you back in the game, and staying in the game. Our team is fully committed to returning you to the life and activities you love.
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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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Treatment For ACL Injuries in Singapore
Physiotherapy
The first phase of treatment is physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The goal of physiotherapy is to reduce the swelling of the knee and restore the knee to its pre-injury state. Physiotherapy will be supplemented with a hinged knee brace to support the knee.
Patients who choose to go for ACL Reconstruction Surgery will also need to attend physiotherapy prior to their surgery. Those who go for surgery with a stiff or swollen knee may have problems regaining the full range of motion in their knee after surgery.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery
Unfortunately, most ACL injuries cannot heal on their own or with non-surgical treatment. Left untreated, patients may experience secondary injury to their knee due to its instability.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery is often the most appropriate long-term treatment plan to restore stability to one’s knee, especially for those who wish to return to pre-injury level sports.
What is the procedure of the ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
The main goal of the ACL Reconstruction Surgery is to restore stability to the injured knee and prevent further damage to the surrounding ligaments and cartilage in the knee.
During the ACL Reconstruction Surgery, you will be under general anaesthesia. The surgery is typically done using a minimally invasive approach by a knee surgery specialist in Singapore where an arthroscope (tube-like video camera) and other surgical tools are inserted via small incisions in the knee joint space. Your damaged ACL will then be removed and replaced with a segment of tendon from another part of your knee (graft). The graft acts as a base on which new ligament tissue can grow.
What is the recovery process like after an ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
The ACL Reconstruction Surgery is an outpatient surgery. Hence, you can go home after the procedure without having to stay overnight.
After the procedure, you will have to use crutches and keep your knee in a brace to support and protect the graft. Dr. Ong will prescribe medication and give you specific post-surgery instructions.
You will also need to attend physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around your knee and improve flexibility in order to restore function in the knee.
How can I get the best results after an ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
It is imperative to follow your ACL surgery rehabilitation plan to achieve ideal results after surgery. Post-surgery care can be a tedious process but Dr. Ong will be supporting you every step of the way.
Am I able to continue doing sports after an ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
While it will take a significant amount of time for your knee to heal completely, it is possible to return to sports after surgery.
Many factors need to be considered before going back to playing sports as there are risks of reinjuring the reconstructed ACL. Every patient’s recovery process is different, but following your physiotherapy plan closely is important to regain strength and stability in the knee as well as improve your balance, agility and jumping skills. When these milestones are completed, you can ease back into playing sports again.
Are there any risks and complications of ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
The risks and complications associated with ACL Reconstruction Surgery are low. However, as with all surgeries, there are some potential risks. These include:
- Infection
- Bleeding and blood clots
- Persistent knee pain
- Knee pain or stiffness
FAQs About ACL Injury Treatment in Singapore
What Can I Expect At My First Visit With Dr. Ong?
At your first appointment with Dr. Ong, he will evaluate your medical history and the pain you are experiencing.
Depending on the symptoms you have, he will likely perform diagnostic imaging tests (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately. X-rays and CT scans are useful to rule out bone problems, whilst an MRI scan is excellent for looking at soft tissue (e.g. tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) problems.
After assessing your condition, Dr. Ong will recommend a personalized treatment plan that is specific to your needs. This may include surgical or non-surgical treatment options.
Must I Undergo Surgery For My ACL Injury?
Dr. Ong will only recommend surgical options when all other conventional non-surgical interventions have failed or will not be effective for your condition.
During your consultation, Dr. Ong will first discuss non-surgical treatments with you. If your symptoms do not improve or even worsen during the course of the treatment, Dr. Ong will review the treatment protocol and advise surgery accordingly.
Is It Possible To Prevent An ACL Injury?
There are some simple measures you can incorporate into your daily life to reduce the risk of an ACL injury. You should:
- Do targeted strength training for your knee
- Warm-up and stretch before any exercise
- Practice proper jumping and landing techniques
- Wear proper footwear
footwearCan I Claim My ACL Treatments 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 consultations, eligible orthopaedic procedures, and medications at our clinic.
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.
“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
Your Treatment Roadmap With Dr. Ong Kee Leong
Registration
Our friendly clinical staff will assist you with your registration, ensuring an efficient and hassle-free process for you.
Specialist Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Ong will evaluate your medical history and the pain you are experiencing. You may also ask Dr. Ong any questions you may have about your condition.
Diagnosis Of Your Condition
Dr. Ong will likely perform some form of diagnostic imaging (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately.
Treatment For Your Condition
After imaging, Dr. Ong will review the results of your scans thoroughly with you, and advise an individualized treatment plan just for you.
Follow Up Visits With Dr Ong
As you go through your treatment plan, Dr. Ong will follow up with you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the dedicated care you deserve.
