DR. ONG KEE LEONG
Cartilage Damage and Repair
Cartilage can be found in many areas of the body including joints between bones, ends of ribs and between segments of the spine. It is responsible for allowing bones to move smoothly in the joint and can cushion friction and reduce loads and impacts up to 7 times our body weight, preventing bone damage.
Book AppointmentWhat is Cartilage Damage?
In a healthy joint, the cartilage separates the ends of the bones from coming into contact with each other. It allows effortless bending and straightening actions and preserves the joints against weight-bearing stresses. Cartilage damage occurs when the cartilage is no longer able to serve its function and the movement of the affected joint causes pain.
Common Causes of Cartilage Damage
- Direct and heavy impact to the joint
- Landing incorrectly during high-impact sports
- Trauma from accidents
- Wear and tear of cartilage also known as osteoarthritis
Accompanying Symptoms of Cartilage Damage
- Painful sensation when you put weight on the joint
- Inflammation, which causes swelling and tenderness of affected area
- Stiffening of the affected joint
- Limited range of motion
Medisave & Insurance Shield Plan Approved
For Singaporeans & Singapore Permanent Residents
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)
Treatment Options
Cartilage damage present itself differently in every individual. Treatments will be personalized according to your specific condition. It is important to discuss your treatment plan thoroughly with your doctor, to ensure that you have the most comfortable treatment experience.
Pain Relievers
Elevate the affected limb and apply ice to the affected areas for 20 to 30 minutes frequently to reduce the pain in your joints. Medications and pain relievers will also help reduce inflammation and ease your discomfort. Avoid physical activities and protect the joint from worsening your injury by using a support such as a brace or guard.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the treatment of injury and disease using non-invasive techniques. It focuses on improving your ability to move and function without pain, boosting your quality of life.
Exercises performed during a physiotherapy session aids in the strengthening of your joints to minimize stiffness and improve the mobility of your joints. The goal is to improve strength, increase endurance and to improve range of motion. It also helps to reduce the likelihood of future injuries. It is highly recommended that you attend Physiotherapy sessions for rehabilitation following any related surgical procedures.
Surgical Options
At our clinic, we generally try to explore non-surgical treatment such as activities modification, physiotherapy and orthotics before recommending invasive intervention options.
For cartilage damage, we offer the following surgical options:
- Microfracture
- Marrow Stimulation
- Scaffold based cartilage regeneration
- Debridement chondroplasty
- Arthroscopy
- High tibial osteotomy, distal femur osteotomy
- Partial and Total Knee Replacement
“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
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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Frequently Asked Questions
Cartilage damage present itself differently in every individual. Treatments will be personalized according to your specific condition. It is important to discuss your treatment plan thoroughly with your doctor, to ensure that you have the most comfortable treatment experience.
Is My Pain Serious Enough For A Visit To A Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon?
When your knee or hip pain becomes more persistent, the treatment options may be beyond your GP’s expertise. You should seek specialist medical advice from an orthopaedic surgeon if you experience any of the following:
The pain interferes with daily functioning
Daily functioning can include but is not limited to, walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs and bathtubs. The pain is persistent or recurring over an extended period.
Prolonged stiffness of the joint
Significant stiffness of a joint is a possible indication of osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative condition. It may also be associated with persistent pain. Even if easily treated with over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, it’s important to see a doctor to determine the root cause of the pain. Doing so may help prevent a nasty surprise later where treatment options are limited or more complex.
If your joint pain is affecting your quality of life and you cannot perform everyday activities (such as standing or walking) it is highly advisable to see an orthopaedic surgeon for a detailed diagnosis and advice.
What Can I Expect At My First Visit With An Orthopaedic Surgeon?
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 some form of diagnostic imaging (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately. X-rays and CT scans are useful to rule out bony problems, whilst an MRI scan is excellent at looking at soft tissue (e.g. tendons, ligaments, cartilage) problems.
After assessing your condition, Dr. Ong will recommend a personalised treatment plan, according to your specific needs. This may include surgical or non-surgical treatment options.
Will I Need Surgery To Treat My Clavicle Injury?
After diagnosis, Dr. Ong will advise an individualised treatment plan that is customized to your specific needs. The treatment plan varies from patient to patient, and the condition you have.
For less severe problems, Dr. Ong may recommend a non-surgical management plan (such as painkillers, viscosupplementation medication and/or physiotherapy) to treat your condition initially. If your symptoms do not improve or even worsen throughout this treatment, Dr. Ong will review the treatment protocol and may advise surgery.
Dr. Ong will only recommend surgical options when all other conventional non-surgical interventions have failed, or if non-surgical options will not work for your condition.
What Modes Of Payments Do You Accept?
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes).
We accept the following modes of payment:
- Cash
- NETS
- PayNow and Paylah!
- All major Credit Cards
If you are insured and would like to use E-Filing or A Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us, our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
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
“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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Condition Serious Enough For A Visit To A Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon?
When specific conditions become more chronic and persistent, the treatment options may be beyond your GP’s expertise.
If you experience severe pain, or if your pain is affecting your quality of life such that you cannot perform everyday activities normally (e.g. walking, standing or wearing clothes), visiting an Orthopaedic Surgeon for a detailed assessment and diagnosis is the best course of action.
What Can I Expect At My First Visit With An Orthopaedic Surgeon?
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 some form of diagnostic imaging (e.g. X-Rays or MRI scans) to assess your condition accurately. X-rays and CT scans are useful to rule out bony problems, whilst an MRI scan is excellent at looking at soft tissue (e.g. tendons, ligaments, cartilage) problems.
After assessing your condition, Dr. Ong will recommend a personalised treatment plan, according to your specific needs. This may include surgical or non-surgical treatment options.
Can I Continue My Sporting Activities If I Am Experiencing Pain (e.g. Shoulder, Knee or Hip Pain)?
Dr. Ong always advises patients to listen to their bodies and not push through the pain barrier, especially if your pain is a direct result of sports injuries.
If your pain does not subside with RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and over-the-counter painkillers, it is highly advisable that you seek professional medical advice. Continuing with sporting activities will place additional strain on your body and worsen the condition.
Will I Need Surgery To Treat My Pain?
After diagnosis, Dr. Ong will advise an individualized treatment plan that is customized to your specific needs. The treatment plan varies from patient to patient, and the condition you have.
For less severe problems, Dr. Ong may recommend a non-surgical management plan (such as painkillers and physiotherapy) to treat your condition initially. If your symptoms do not improve or even worsen over the course of this treatment, your knee specialist in Singapore, Dr. Ong will review the treatment protocol and may advise surgery.
Dr. Ong will only recommend surgical options when all other conventional non-surgical interventions have failed, or if non-surgical options will not work for your condition. For example, if you have a broken bone which is extremely painful and debilitating, you may benefit from immediate surgery.
What Modes Of Payments Do You Accept?
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes).
We accept the following modes of payment:
- Cash
- PAYNOW & PAYLAH
- All major Credit Cards
If you are insured and would like to use E-Filing or A Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us, 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 hospitalization 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.
