DR. ONG KEE LEONG
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
While an MCL injury can significantly impede movement and disrupt your lifestyle, it is generally treatable. Although the recovery period largely depends on the severity of the tear, the healing process is usually quick with the appropriate treatment methods from your knee specialist.
Book AppointmentWhat Is Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury?
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the four main ligaments that provide stability in your knee joint. The MCL is located on the inside of your knee joint and connects the top of the shinbone to the bottom of the thigh bone.
An MCL injury is a rupture of the ligament tissues connecting the shinbone and the thigh bone.
What Causes MCL Injury?
An MCL injury typically occurs when there is a sudden forceful change in movement and direction of the knee joint or when there is a violent direct blow to your outer knee.
These situations will lead to excessive pressure on your knee joint, resulting in your MCL stretching out and potentially tearing. Examples include a sudden change in direction while running, falling or any vigorous activities that require a sudden pivot, such as football or hockey.
Grades of MCL Injury
- 1st Grade – stretched but not torn MCL with mild symptoms
- 2nd Grade – partially torn MCL with moderate symptoms
- 3rd Grade – completely torn MCL with severe symptoms
What are the Symptoms of MCL Injury?
- A loud popping sound
- Sharp pain in the knee when moving
- Tenderness along the inner part of your knee
- Rapid swelling of the knee joint
- Significant decrease in range of motion
- The feeling of instability
How Is MCL Injury Diagnosed?
A physical examination of your knee may be conducted by placing it into various positions to test its range of motion. Checks for tenderness and pain by applying pressure on the inside and outside of your knee may also be performed.
Further imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI scan may be performed to determine the severity of your injury and identify any other damages in your knee.
These diagnostic tests will help your knee specialist conclude if your knee injury is an MCL tear and eliminate other potential injuries such as a bone fracture.
What Are the Treatment Options for MCL Injury?
There are various treatment options for an MCL injury, mainly non-surgical and surgical methods.
Non-Surgical Options
As the MCL is located in an area with a good blood supply, an MCL injury typically responds well to non-surgical treatment. It will heal on its own after a few weeks, especially for mild injuries (1st Grade).
For more severe MCL injuries, physical therapy may be recommended.
Surgical Option
Surgery is rarely performed on MCL injuries. However, it may be recommended for severe cases when the torn ligament cannot repair itself naturally or when an MCL injury occurs with other ligament damage.
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
- 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
- Fellowship Trained Surgeon With 15 Years Of Experience In Orthopaedic Conditions
- 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)
About Dr. Ong Kee Leong
Senior Consultant, MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Dr Ong Kee Leong is a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in shoulder, knee, and arthroscopic sports surgery.
- Completed a fellowship in Germany, gaining focused, hands-on exposure to complex joint conditions beyond the scope of general orthopaedic practice.
- Served as Director of Sports Service at Changi General Hospital, managing a wide range of sports-related injuries in both recreational athletes and national-level competitors before entering private practice.
- Subspecialty focus on shoulder and knee conditions, including arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery.
Hospital & Clinic Affiliations
Dr Ong practises at a clinic in Singapore with access to accredited hospital facilities for surgical procedures. Patients have access to diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound), day surgery facilities for arthroscopic procedures, and structured rehabilitation services.
Please contact the clinic directly for the current practice address, nearest MRT station, and details of affiliated surgical facilities.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr Ong’s clinical approach is grounded in a single principle: exercise and sports are highly beneficial for long-term health. This reflects a genuine belief that physical activity is central to long-term health, and that the goal of orthopaedic care is to return you to the activities that matter to you, not simply to resolve your imaging findings.
In practice, this means prioritising joint preservation wherever possible. Rather than moving quickly to joint replacement or highly invasive procedures, the focus is on treatments that protect and restore the body’s natural structures.
Every plan is shaped by what you want to do with your body, whether that is returning to competitive sport, running at weekends, or simply walking without pain.
Beyond acute treatment, Dr Ong incorporates injury prevention and load management guidance into his consultations. Understanding why an injury occurred, and how to modify training to reduce the risk of recurrence, is part of the long-term care approach.
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Make An Enquiry
Prefer to talk? Call our clinic directly to make an enquiry at (65) 6884 6788
(Please ask for Dr Ong Kee Leong)
our clinics
Visit Us Today
Mt Elizabeth Novena
- 38 Irrawaddy Road #06-59/60/61 Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre Singapore 329563
- klong@sog.sg
- (65) 6884 6788
- (Ask for Dr Ong)
- (65) 9652 5022
-
Mon – Fri : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
other practice locations
Farrer Park Hospital
- 1 Farrer Park Station Road #14-06 Connexion Singapore 217562
- klong@sog.sg
- (65) 6884 6788
- (Ask for Dr Ong)
- (65) 9652 5022
-
Mon – Fri : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mt Alvernia Medical Centre
- 820 Thomson Road #07-53 Mt Alvernia Medical Centre D Singapore 574623
- klong@sog.sg
- (65) 6884 6788
- (Ask for Dr Ong)
- (65) 9652 5022
-
Mon – Fri : 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
"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. Our team is fully committed to returning you to the life and activities you love."
Billing & Payment
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$200 (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 5 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
- Prudential Assurance Co’s PRUShield
- AXA Shield