DR. ONG KEE LEONG
ACL Surgery Specialist with 15+ Years Experience
Dr Ong Kee Leong is a fellowship-trained senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in knee surgeries, particularly ACL reconstruction surgery. He has been registered with the Singapore Medical Council as a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery since 2011.
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Symptoms Of A Torn ACL
- Hearing or feeling a ‘pop’ or ‘popping’ sensation in the knee
- Severe knee pain
- Feeling of instability or buckling in the knee
- Swelling of the knee
- Loss in range of movement in the knee
Fast Facts About ACL Surgery
My ACL is Torn, Do I Need ACL Surgery?
Active adults who are involved in sports or jobs that require pivoting, turning or hard-cutting, as well as heavy manual work, are encouraged to consider surgical treatment if you have a torn acl. This includes older patients who have previously been excluded from consideration for ACL surgery. The level of activity, not age, usually determines if surgical intervention should be considered.
What Is 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 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 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
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)
Medisave & Insurance Shield Plan Approved
For Singaporeans & Singapore Permanent Residents
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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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“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
Frequently Asked Questions
Spine conditions 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.
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, your orthopaedic knee specialist 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
“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
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
