Knee Swelling

The first thing that can happen after an acute injury is swelling around the site of the injury. When the knee is injured, it can swell as a result of inflammation or possibly bleeding into the knee joint. If the knee swells without an acute injury, it is also wise to consult your doctor.

Instability or Reduced Range of Motion

Reduced range of motion can be related to swelling in the knee, as well as other joint injuries. If you have limited range of motion that does not begin to improve within a few days, you should contact your doctor. If there is knee instability, you should also consult your doctor.

Knee Pain

Please consult a knee specialist if knee pain is severe or does not resolve satisfactorily after an injury. If there is persistent pain without an injury, it will also be beneficial to seek a specialist’s advice.

What Is The Cause Of My Knee Pain?

Knee pain occurs when there is a pain that is in or around your knee joint. The pain can be caused by problems with the knee joint itself, or by conditions that affect the soft tissues, ligaments or tendons around the knee.

There could be a variety of causes for your knee pain, such as injury. Sometimes, there could be persistent pain without an injury as well as a result of conditions (e.g. arthritis, tendonitis) or infection.

If your knee pain is severe or does not resolve satisfactorily after an injury, visiting an Orthopaedic specialist is the best way forward to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What Are Some Of The Common Knee Conditions You Treat?

We treat a variety of knee conditions, including bone fractures, ligament tears and joint mobility issues:

• Kneecap (Patella) Fractures and Instability
• Shin (Tibia) Fractures
• Thigh (Femur) Fractures
• Knee Dislocation
• Tendon Inflammation
• Sports Injuries – Meniscus And Cartilage Damage
• Ligament Tears – ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, PLC
• Knee Arthritis
• Runners’ and Jumpers’ Knees

Is My Knee Pain Serious Enough For A Visit To A Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon?

When your knee 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:

• Acute pain or swelling that lasts more than 48 hours
• Pain after running, exercise, or walking on stairs
• Instability or weakness when pressure is placed on the knee
• Locking or stiffness of the knee joint
• Inability to put full weight on your knee
• A fever, in addition to redness, pain and swelling in your knee

If your knee 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.

Can I Continue My Sporting Activities If I Am Experiencing Knee Pain?

Dr. Ong always advises patients to listen to their bodies and not push through the pain barrier. 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 shoulder and worsen the condition.

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 Knee Pain?

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 and physiotherapy) to treat your condition initially. If your symptoms do not improve or even worsen over the course of 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. 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.