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Are Your Symptoms Affecting Your Quality Of Life?
Consult our MOH-accredited knee pain specialist for a comprehensive diagnosis of your condition & a personalised treatment plan
Knee Specialist in Singapore
Dr. Poh specialises in advanced orthopaedic procedures such as knee arthroscopy, osteotomy, multi-ligamentous ligament reconstruction, meniscal reconstruction & cartilage resurfacing.
Are your knee pain symptoms affecting your quality of life? Consult our MOH-accredited knee pain specialist for a comprehensive diagnosis of your condition & a personalised treatment plan.
Dr Poh Seng Yew (傅圣耀)
MBBS
MRCSEd
MMED (Ortho)
FRCSEd
Common Knee Conditions That We Treat
The knee, as one of the body’s primary load-bearing joints, is susceptible to a variety of complications and disorders. This can be resolved with the correct medical examination and care. Our clinic offers services for the following conditions:
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain may arise from a variety of conditions affecting any of the complex structures of the knee joint, including bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Injuries
- Ligament Injuries: Tears in the knee’s ligaments often occur during activities that involve twisting or overextending the knee.
- Meniscus Injuries: The meniscus can be torn during activities that put pressure on or rotate the knee joint, leading to pain and swelling.
- Fractures: The patella or the bones forming the knee can fracture from falls or direct impacts. High-impact trauma is a common cause, especially in road traffic accidents or sports.
- Tendon Tears: Sudden, sharp movements can result in tears of the quadriceps or patellar tendons, particularly in middle-aged individuals engaging in jumping sports.
Degenerative and Mechanical Issues
- Osteoarthritis: Age-related wear and tear of the cartilage of the knee can lead to osteoarthritis, a common cause of knee pain in older adults.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition that can affect the knee, causing swelling and pain.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Also known as ‘runner’s knee’, this condition is characterised by pain arising from the contact between the patella and the femur.
Other Conditions
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs around the knee, often due to repeated pressure on the knee or kneeling for long periods.
- Gout: Caused by uric acid crystal accumulation in the joint, leading to intense pain and swelling.
- Infections: Infections within the knee joint, such as septic arthritis, can cause severe pain and swelling.
Risk Factors
- Overuse: Repeated stress on the knee, especially during high-impact sports, can lead to pain and inflammation over time.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts additional pressure on the knee joints, increasing the risk of degenerative changes and pain.
- Muscle Weakness or Imbalance: Weakness or lack of flexibility in the muscles supporting the knee can lead to pain and injury.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms from knee conditions can range from mild to severe, affecting mobility and quality of life. These are some common symptoms that may indicate that you have a knee condition.
- Pain – Pain in the knee can vary from mild discomfort to severe, sharp sensations. This symptom is common in various knee conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament injuries (like ACL or MCL tears), and meniscal tears.
- Swelling and Inflammation – Swelling and inflammation around the knee joint often indicate an acute injury or an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, or gout.
- Stiffness and Limited Range of Motion – Stiffness and a reduced ability to fully bend or straighten the knee are typical in degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, and may also occur after prolonged periods of inactivity or injury.
- Instability or Feeling of Giving Way – If the knee feels unstable or like it might buckle, this could be due to ligament damage (such as an ACL tear) or a sign of a weakening joint as seen in chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
- Clicking or Popping Sounds – Clicking or popping sounds during movement, without accompanying pain, might be harmless. However, if painful, it could indicate a meniscal tear or cartilage injury.
- Difficulty Bearing Weight or Walking – Trouble with weight-bearing or walking can be a sign of a severe injury such as a fracture, a torn ligament, or severe arthritis.
- Redness or Warmth in the Affected Area – Redness and warmth, especially when accompanied by swelling and pain, might indicate an infection or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
- Deformity of the Knee Joint – Visible changes in the shape of the knee joint, such as bowing in or out, can occur in advanced stages of arthritis or after a significant injury like a fracture.
- Tenderness Along the Joint Line – Pain upon touching along the sides of the knee could indicate a meniscal injury or collateral ligament damage.
- Locking of the Knee – A knee that locks or gets stuck in a particular position might indicate a meniscal tear or loose bodies (small fragments of bone or cartilage) within the joint.
Diagnosis Of Knee Conditions
Clinical Assessment |
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Imaging Studies |
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Laboratory Tests |
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Functional Assessment |
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Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Medication
- Analgesics: Pain relief through over-the-counter or prescription medications.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
- Corticosteroids: Administered via injections to reduce severe inflammation.
Physical Therapy
- Strengthening Exercises: Enhance muscle support around the knee.
- Flexibility Workouts: Increase range of motion.
- Modalities: Such as heat, ice, and ultrasound for pain management.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Weight Management: Reducing body weight to lessen pressure on the knee.
- Activity Alterations: Avoiding movements that exacerbate knee pain.
Assistive Devices
- Braces: Provide support and stability to the knee joint.
- Orthotics: Custom shoe inserts to improve alignment and distribute pressure.
Injection Therapies
- Hyaluronic Acid: Supplements joint fluid to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Uses a patient’s own blood components to promote healing.
Surgical Treatment Options For Knee Conditions
Surgical intervention may be considered when non-surgical treatments fail to relieve knee pain or when structural damage to the knee joint is significant.
- Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique that provides a detailed view of the interior of a joint, enabling diagnosis and treatment of joint issues. It may be suitable for patients with unresolved joint pain or suspected internal damage where non-invasive methods have failed. - Partial Knee Replacement
This surgery involves replacing only the damaged section of the knee, preserving much of the natural joint. Patients with localized knee damage may be suitable for this procedure. - Total Knee Replacement
In total knee replacement, the entire knee joint is substituted with an artificial joint. This procedure may be recommended for severe arthritis or extensive joint damage where less invasive treatments are inadequate. - Osteotomy
Osteotomy entails cutting and realigning the knee bones to redistribute stress and alleviate joint pressure. Younger patients with early-stage arthritis or knee deformities may consider this procedure to delay the need for total knee replacement. - Ligament Reconstruction
This procedure, often involving ACL reconstruction, rebuilds torn ligaments to restore knee stability. Ligament reconstruction may be more suitable for physically active individuals or athletes who seek to regain full knee function. - Meniscus Repair
Meniscus repair involves surgical correction or trimming of the torn meniscus to stabilize the knee and restore its functionality. This treatment may be recommended for patients with meniscal tears, particularly those wishing to avoid long-term joint degeneration. - Cartilage Repair
Cartilage repair techniques, such as microfracture or autologous chondrocyte implantation, aim to repair or regenerate damaged knee cartilage.
Prevention Strategies
Knee pain can be prevented by integrating the following strategies into daily life:
- Maintain Healthy Weight: Reduces stress on the knee joints, decreasing the risk of osteoarthritis and injuries.
- Regular Exercise: Strengthens the muscles supporting the knee, improving joint stability.
- Proper Technique and Equipment: Ensures activities such as sports or physical work do not strain the knees.
- Flexibility Training: Enhances range of motion and prevents stiffness.
- Adequate Nutrition: Supports joint health, with a focus on calcium and vitamin D for bone strength.
- Ergonomic Workplace: Arrange physical spaces to avoid repetitive strain on the knees.
- Avoiding High-Impact Activities: Reduces the risk of trauma and degenerative changes in the knee.
- Wearing Appropriate Footwear: Cushions the knees and provides proper alignment during movement.
Dr Poh Seng Yew (傅圣耀)
MBBS
MRCSEd
MMED (Ortho)
FRCSEd
With over 20 years of experience, Dr Poh Seng Yew (傅圣耀) is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip, knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, sports medicine, and trauma surgery.
- Former Director of Sports Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital
- Clinical Hip and Sports Medicine Fellow, Orthopädische Chirurgie München (OCM), Germany
- Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, FRCSEd (Orthopaedic Surgery)
- Master of Medicine (Orthopaedic Surgery), National University of Singapore
- Member, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCSEd)
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), National University of Singapore
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Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-42
Singapore 329563
Weekdays: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturdays: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed
Enquire Today & Resolve Your Knee Pain
Your symptoms shouldn’t affect your quality of life or disrupt daily activities. Reach out to our friendly clinic staff today & schedule a consultation.
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-42
Singapore 329563
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can knee pain be a sign of something serious?
Yes, knee pain can be indicative of significant conditions such as fractures, ligament injuries, and infections.
Can knee pain go away on its own?
Acute knee pain may resolve by itself with rest and self-care, although persistent or severe pain requires medical evaluation.
When should you go see a knee pain specialist in Singapore?
Consult a knee pain specialist in Singapore if your knee pain is severe, associated with swelling, redness, and warmth, or if it persists despite rest and over-the-counter medications.
When should one consider knee surgery?
Surgery is considered if there is structural damage that is not amenable to conservative treatment, or if knee pain significantly affects quality of life.
Why is the knee so prone to injury?
The knee is particularly vulnerable to injury because it’s a complex hinge joint that bears significant body weight while allowing multiple directions of movement. It relies heavily on ligaments and cartilage for stability, lacks the bony protection of ball-and-socket joints like the hip, and is frequently subjected to twisting motions and sudden direction changes during daily activities and sports.
What should I consider when choosing a knee specialist in Singapore?
Key factors include the surgeon’s specific training and experience in knee conditions, subspecialty fellowships in knee surgery or sports medicine, hospital affiliations and surgical facilities, availability of advanced treatment options including minimally invasive techniques, patient reviews and outcomes data, communication style and willingness to explain treatment options, and whether they offer both conservative and surgical treatments.
How long does recovery typically take for different knee procedures?
Recovery times vary significantly: arthroscopic procedures may require 2-6 weeks for return to normal activities, ACL reconstruction typically takes 6-9 months for full sports participation, partial knee replacement may take 3-4 months for complete recovery, while total knee replacement usually requires 3-6 months for optimal function. Individual factors such as age, fitness level, and adherence to rehabilitation significantly influence recovery timelines.
When should I consider getting a second opinion for my knee condition?
A second opinion is advisable when surgery is recommended as the first treatment option, you’re unsure about the diagnosis, conservative treatments aren’t providing expected improvement after reasonable time periods, you’re considering major procedures like joint replacement, you have concerns about the proposed treatment plan, or you want to explore alternative treatment options. Most reputable specialists welcome and encourage patients to seek additional perspectives for significant decisions.
What role does physiotherapy play in knee treatment?
Physiotherapy is crucial in both conservative management and post-surgical recovery for knee conditions. It helps strengthen supporting muscles, improve joint mobility and stability, correct movement patterns that may contribute to injury, reduce pain and swelling, and guide safe return to activities. Even when surgery is eventually required, pre-operative physiotherapy (prehabilitation) can improve post-surgical outcomes and recovery speed.