Call Us +65 6884 6788

Contact us
Call Us +65 6884 6788
CONTACT US Book Appointment

Why Choose Dr Ong Kee Leong as Your Sports Injury Specialist in Singapore?

Patients choose Dr Ong for his combination of subspecialty training, hands-on sports medicine experience, and a treatment philosophy centred on returning you to activity, not just resolving your scan.

  • Focused subspecialty expertise in shoulder, knee, and arthroscopic sports surgery, rather than general orthopaedic practice.
  • Sports-specific clinical background as former Director of Sports Service at Changi General Hospital, managing injuries in both recreational and national-level athletes.
  • Joint-preserving approach, prioritising the least invasive treatment that still supports the most favourable long-term outcome for your circumstances.
  • Goals-based recovery planning, with return-to-sport timelines based on tissue healing and functional testing rather than a fixed calendar.
  • Clear, collaborative consultations, where surgical and non-surgical options are explained in plain language so you can make an informed decision.
banner_img banner_img
Condition Common Sports/Activities When to See a Specialist
ACL and ligament tears Football, basketball, court sports Knee gave way, instability on direction change
Meniscus tears Running, football, racquet sports Locking, swelling, restricted movement
Rotator cuff injuries Swimming, tennis, weightlifting Shoulder weakness, night pain, limited lift
Tendon conditions Running, cycling, gym training Particularly rotator cuff strength, which may be affected
Cartilage damage Running, football, contact sports Active and passive movement, and where movement is limited or guarded

Common Spine Conditions We Treat

Dr Ong’s practice focuses on conditions affecting the shoulder and knee, the two joints most commonly affected by sport and physical activity.

ACL and ligament tears

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilises the knee during cutting, pivoting, and landing movements. Tears are common in football, basketball, and court sports. Seek assessment if your knee gave way during activity or feels unstable when you change direction.

How Do You Book an Appointment?

You can reach the clinic by phone, through the online appointment form on the clinic website, or via WhatsApp. For acute sports injuries where pain or instability is limiting your daily activity, same-week appointments are generally available; contact the clinic directly to check current availability.

The clinic team can answer preliminary questions before your visit, including whether a referral letter is needed, what your insurance may cover, and what to bring on the day.

Book Appointment
banner_img

Consultation, Financing & Insurance Process

Managing the financial side of sports injury care in Singapore is easier when you know what to prepare.

Medisave

Medisave can be used for eligible surgical procedures performed at accredited hospitals. Arthroscopic surgeries such as ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair commonly qualify. Coverage limits depend on the specific procedure code. See Guide to Medisave and other plans for more information.

Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)

If you hold an Integrated Shield Plan, it may cover a portion of hospital and surgical fees above the Medisave limit. Coverage varies by plan tier and insurer.

Letter of guarantee and pre-authorisation

For insured patients, a letter of guarantee from your insurer may be required before surgery. Contact your insurer early to initiate the pre-authorisation process.

What to bring

Bring your NRIC or passport, insurance policy details, any existing imaging or investigation results, and a referral letter if you have one. A referral is not always required for a first consultation but can assist with insurance claims.

Payment arrangements

The clinic’s administrative team can advise on available payment options. Contact them directly to confirm what applies to your specific procedure and insurance plan, as coverage details vary.

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.
Read Full Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Recovery Take After Sports Injury Surgery?

Recovery timelines vary depending on the injury, the procedure performed, and your individual healing rate. ACL reconstruction, for example, typically involves a return-to-sport timeline of nine to twelve months, while a meniscus repair may allow a return to light activity within six to eight weeks. Return-to-sport clearance is based on functional testing and tissue readiness, not calendar time alone.

Do I Need Surgery for a Ligament Tear?

Not necessarily. Partial ligament tears and some complete tears can be managed non-surgically with structured rehabilitation, particularly for patients with lower activity demands. The degree of structural damage, joint instability, and your activity goals are all considered before surgery is recommended.

Can I Return to Sport After Knee or Shoulder Surgery?

Return to sport is a realistic clinical aim for many patients following arthroscopic knee or shoulder surgery. The timeline and the level of activity you can return to depend on the type of procedure, your rehabilitation progress, and sport-specific functional testing after meniscus surgery.

Is Sports Injury Treatment Covered by Medisave in Singapore?

Medisave can be used for eligible surgical procedures at accredited hospitals, including many arthroscopic surgeries. Non-surgical consultations and physiotherapy are generally not Medisave-claimable. Confirm the specific applicability of your procedure with the clinic’s administrative team before your appointment.

Have an enquiry about your condition or a certain treatment?

Fill up the form and we will get back to you soon!

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)

    or Whatsapp us at (65) 9652 5022

    We are available 24 hours

    our clinics

    Visit Us Today

    Mt Elizabeth Novena
    • 38 Irrawaddy Road #06-59/60/61 Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre Singapore 329563
    • (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
    Mt Alvernia Medical Centre

    Sports Injury Clinic and Specialist in Singapore

    Dr Ong Kee Leong

    Senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon

    MBBS (Singapore) | MMed (Ortho) | FRCSEd (Ortho)

    Getting the right diagnosis early makes a real difference to your recovery after a sports injury. Whether you are dealing with a sudden knee injury on the football pitch or a shoulder problem that has been building over months of swimming, a sports injury specialist can help you understand what is wrong and map out the clearest path back to activity.

    Dr Ong Kee Leong is a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 15 years of subspecialty experience in shoulder, knee, and arthroscopic sports surgery.

    About Dr Ong Kee Leong

    Dr Ong Kee Leong is a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in shoulder, knee, and arthroscopic sports surgery. Arthroscopic surgery refers to keyhole surgery performed through small incisions around the joint, allowing precise treatment with less tissue disruption and a faster recovery.

    Before entering private practice, Dr Ong served as Director of Sports Service at Changi General Hospital, where he managed a wide range of sports-related injuries in both recreational athletes and national-level competitors.

    His guiding belief is straightforward: exercise and sports are vital to long-term wellbeing. This shapes every clinical decision he makes, from choosing treatments that preserve the body’s natural structures, to setting recovery goals tied to what you actually want to do with your body, not just what your imaging shows.

    Procedures Performed

    Arthroscopic (keyhole) reconstruction

    Used for ACL tears, meniscus repairs, and shoulder instability. These procedures are performed through small incisions, which reduces surgical trauma and can support a faster return to activity compared to open surgery.

    Cartilage preservation techniques

    For patients with cartilage damage who are not yet candidates for joint replacement, procedures such as microfracture or cartilage grafting aim to restore surface integrity and reduce pain while protecting long-term joint health.

    Tendon repair

    Surgical repair may be considered when tendons are fully torn or have not responded to conservative management. The degree of structural damage and the patient’s functional demands are assessed before recommending this pathway.

    Guided injection therapies

    Corticosteroid and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can help reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery in appropriate cases, particularly for tendon conditions and early cartilage problems.

    Structured rehabilitation protocols

    Recovery extends beyond the procedure itself. Rehabilitation planning is integrated into every treatment pathway, with return-to-sport timelines based on tissue healing, neuromuscular readiness, and functional testing rather than calendar time alone.

    Not every ligament tear requires surgery, and not every cartilage lesion requires an operation. The aim is always the least invasive approach that supports the most suitable long-term outcome for your individual circumstances.

    What Can You Expect During Your Consultation?

    Here is how a consultation typically unfolds:

    Injury History and Activity Goals:

    The consultation begins with listening. You will be asked how and when the injury occurred, what symptoms you are experiencing, and what activities you want to return to. Your goals are considered alongside your diagnosis.

    Plain-Language Explanation of Findings:

    Once the picture is clear, the examination and imaging results are walked through with you, without assuming prior knowledge of medical terminology.

    Physical Examination:

    A focused, hands-on assessment of the affected joint follows. This helps identify the likely structures involved and guides any further investigation.

    Imaging Review:

    Depending on the findings, an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound may be ordered. You will receive a plain-language explanation of what each scan is looking for and why it is needed.

    Treatment Options Discussion:

    Both surgical and non-surgical pathways are discussed openly. The reasoning behind any recommendation is explained so you can make an informed decision.

    The consultation is a collaborative conversation. You are encouraged to ask questions, raise concerns, and take time to consider your options.

    Persistent joint pain, swelling, or instability after sport?

    Delaying assessment of a sports injury can affect long-term joint health and recovery outcomes.

    Schedule a Clinical Assessment

     Unsure whether surgery is the right path for your injury?

    Both surgical and non-surgical options are assessed individually, with treatment designed to aim for optimal long-term outcomes for your circumstances.

    Request a Treatment Options Consultation

     Ready to take the next step in your sports injury recovery?

    A structured clinical assessment is designed to aim for a clear diagnosis and a personalised return-to-sport plan in Singapore.

    Get Started
    back to top