Understanding Your Knee Pain
Knee pain affects over 20% of Singaporean adults, making it one of the most common reasons people visit orthopaedic specialists. Your knee is the largest joint in your body and bears tremendous force during daily activities—up to 3-5 times your body weight when climbing stairs.
While some knee discomfort resolves with rest, persistent pain often indicates an underlying condition requiring professional evaluation. The good news? Modern treatments—from physiotherapy to advanced surgical techniques—have helped thousands of Singaporeans regain mobility and return to activities they love.
Did You Know?
Singapore's Ministry of Health reports that knee replacement surgery has a 90-95% success rate in reducing pain and improving function. Modern techniques now allow most patients to walk within 24 hours of surgery and return to normal activities within 3-6 months.
Common Knee Conditions We Treat
Each condition requires a different treatment approach. Understanding your diagnosis is the first step toward effective relief.
Common Symptoms:
- • Sudden "pop" sensation during injury
- • Severe pain and swelling
- • Knee instability or "giving way"
- • Unable to continue activity
Treatment Options:
- • ACL reconstruction surgery
- • Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- • Bracing for mild tears
- • Conservative management (for low activity)
Common Symptoms:
- • Pain along the joint line
- • Swelling and stiffness
- • Knee locking or catching
- • Difficulty straightening knee fully
Treatment Options:
- • Arthroscopic meniscus repair
- • Partial meniscectomy (removal)
- • Rest, ice, and physiotherapy
- • Anti-inflammatory medication
Common Symptoms:
- • Pain when climbing stairs or squatting
- • Pain after prolonged sitting
- • Grinding sensation in the kneecap
- • Pain worsens with activity
Treatment Options:
- • Strengthening exercises (quadriceps)
- • Activity modification
- • Proper footwear and orthotics
- • Physical therapy
Treatment Options: Conservative vs. Surgical
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatments
Most knee conditions respond well to conservative care, especially when caught early. These treatments aim to reduce pain, improve function, and delay or avoid surgery.
💊 Medication & Injections
- • NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for pain and inflammation
- • Cortisone injections: reduce swelling, last 2-6 months
- • Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation): lubricates joint, may delay knee replacement 6-12 months
🏃 Physiotherapy & Exercise
- • Strengthens muscles supporting the knee (quadriceps, hamstrings)
- • Improves flexibility and range of motion
- • Evidence shows: 8-12 weeks of guided physiotherapy reduces knee pain by 40-60%
⚖️ Weight Management
- • Every 1kg of weight loss reduces knee load by 4kg during walking
- • Losing 5-10% body weight significantly reduces osteoarthritis pain
🦴 Bracing & Orthotics
- • Unloader braces for single-compartment arthritis
- • Custom shoe inserts to correct alignment
Surgical Treatments
When conservative treatments don't provide adequate relief, surgery may be the best option to restore function and quality of life.
🔬 Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery)
- • Minimally invasive, small incisions
- • For meniscus tears, cartilage repair, loose body removal
- • Day surgery or 1-night stay
- • Recovery: 2-6 weeks for most activities
- • Cost: $8,000-$15,000 (private), $2,500-$4,000 (subsidized)
🦵 ACL Reconstruction
- • Rebuilds torn ligament using graft (hamstring or patella tendon)
- • Essential for active individuals, athletes
- • Recovery: 6-9 months to return to sports
- • Cost: $12,000-$22,000 (private), $3,500-$5,000 (subsidized)
🔄 Partial Knee Replacement
- • Replaces only damaged compartment (usually medial)
- • Preserves healthy bone and ligaments
- • Faster recovery, more natural feel than total replacement
- • Recovery: 4-8 weeks
- • Cost: $19,000-$32,000 (private), $4,000-$6,000 (subsidized)
🏥 Total Knee Replacement
- • Replaces entire knee joint with artificial implant
- • Gold standard for severe arthritis affecting whole knee
- • Success rate: 90-95% satisfaction at 10+ years
- • Recovery: 3-6 months full recovery
- • Cost: $32,000-$56,000 (private), $5,000-$7,000 (subsidized)
- • → Complete knee replacement guide
💡 How Specialists Decide: The Treatment Ladder
Singapore orthopaedic specialists follow evidence-based protocols. Most patients start with conservative treatment for 6-12 weeks. Surgery is considered when: (1) Quality of life is significantly impacted, (2) Conservative treatments have failed, (3) Structural damage is severe (seen on X-rays/MRI), (4) Patient is healthy enough for surgery.
When Should You See a Knee Specialist in Singapore?
While minor knee pain often resolves with rest, certain symptoms indicate you should consult an orthopaedic specialist:
Seek Immediate Care If:
- • Unable to bear weight on knee
- • Knee gives way or feels unstable
- • Severe swelling within hours of injury
- • Obvious deformity or dislocation
- • Fever with knee pain (possible infection)
Schedule Consultation If:
- • Pain persists beyond 2 weeks
- • Difficulty climbing stairs or walking
- • Knee locks or catches regularly
- • Pain interferes with daily activities
- • Previous treatments haven't helped
How to Choose the Right Knee Specialist in Singapore
Singapore is home to world-class orthopaedic surgeons, many trained at leading institutions in the UK, USA, and Australia. Here's what to look for:
✅ Credentials to Verify
- • MBBS / MD: Basic medical degree
- • FRCS / MMed (Ortho): Specialist orthopaedic qualification
- • Fellowship training: Advanced subspecialty training (knee, sports medicine)
- • Years in practice: 10+ years for complex cases
- • Hospital affiliations: SGH, TTSH, Mount E, Gleneagles, etc.
💬 Questions to Ask
- • How many of these procedures do you perform per year?
- • What are your success rates and complication rates?
- • Are you on my insurance panel?
- • What surgical approach do you recommend and why?
- • What's the expected recovery timeline for my case?
- • Can I speak with previous patients?
🏥 Public vs. Private Hospitals in Singapore
Public hospitals (SGH, TTSH, NUH): Lower cost ($5k-$7k subsidized), excellent training institutions, longer wait times (2-6 months), assigned surgeon.
Private hospitals (Mount E, Gleneagles, Raffles): Higher cost ($32k-$56k), choose your surgeon, faster access (1-4 weeks), more comfortable amenities. → Compare costs
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain & Treatment
Get answers to common questions from our patient care coordinators and orthopaedic specialists.