DR. ONG KEE LEONG
Shoulder Labrum Tear
A shoulder labrum tear can cause sharp pain and affect the quality of your life. Dr. Ong will perform a clinical evaluation of the injury and recommend a personalised treatment suited to your needs.
Book AppointmentWhat Is Shoulder Labrum Tear?
The shoulder labrum is a piece of cartilage located in the shallow socket (glenoid) of your shoulder blade (scapula), which helps to provide protection and stability in the shoulder joints.
A torn shoulder labrum occurs when any area of the labrum that is connected to the glenoid is damaged.
Types of Shoulder Labrum Tears
There are different types of shoulder labrum tears, including the following:
- SLAP tears – A SLAP (superior labrum from anterior to posterior) tear occurs above the middle of the glenoid. It is common amongst athletes who consistently engage their shoulders in overhead movements, such as volleyball players, tennis players and baseball pitchers.
- Bankart tears – Bankart tears occur in the lower half of the glenoid socket, commonly occurring in younger patients with shoulder dislocations.
- Posterior labrum tear – This type of shoulder labrum tear occurs in the back of the shoulder joint.
How Long Will It Take to Recover After Surgery?
The recovery period differs for each person, depending on the severity of the labrum tear and the extent of the surgery.
However, it will generally take about 9 to 12 months to heal completely after surgery. After the day of your surgery, you will likely be advised to wear an arm sling for about 3 to 6 weeks to immobilise the shoulder and avoid further injuries.
What Causes It?
- Overuse of shoulders – Repetitive shoulder movements
- Direct trauma – A direct and forceful blow to the shoulder
What Are the Symptoms?
Some of the symptoms of shoulder labrum tear may include:
- Intense sharp pain in the shoulder
- A catching or locking sensation
- Significant loss of strength and mobility of your shoulder
- A general sense of instability or a feeling that your shoulders may give way
How Is It Diagnosed?
As the labrum cartilage is located deep inside the shoulder joint, a physical examination alone is usually unreliable and insufficient to confirm the diagnosis.
Therefore, a shoulder specialist will perform an MRI scan to have a more detailed view of the shoulder joints to identify the damage. However, as there are different labrum tears, sometimes an MRI scan is not enough to detect certain tears, such as a SLAP tear.
Instead, arthroscopic surgery may be performed, which is a minimally invasive surgery that involves creating small incisions on the shoulder and inserting a tiny fibreoptic scope to examine the shoulder joints.
How Can It Be Treated?
The treatment options depend on the severity and type of tear. There are generally two types of methods: Non-surgical and surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical Methods
These methods may include:
- Physical therapy. Dr. Ong may recommend simple stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Home remedies. Home therapy may be advised if the tear is not severe.
Surgery
In severe labrum tear cases, surgery is recommended. A minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery will be performed to remove the damaged portion of your labrum.
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)
“At our clinic, we generally try to explore non-surgical treatment such as activities modification, physiotherapy and orthotics before recommending invasive intervention options.”
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
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