MEDICAL
ORTHOPAEDIC MEDICAL CENTRE OF THE YEAR IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC
BONE AND JOINT SPECIALIST CLINIC
Located at the Farrer Park Hospital in Singapore , the Bone and Joint Specialist Clinic was founded by Dr S . S . Sathappan , who has been in public practice for more than 15 years .
The essence of its clinical practice is based on holistic care for both local and overseas patients . When a patient comes to the clinic with a musculoskeletal condition , the team first conducts a careful history taking and clinical evaluation . Following appropriate investigations , patients are assessed and treated with medication and physiotherapy services which are available in the clinic . In chronic pain conditions , where surgical interventions may not be immediately required , acupuncture is sometimes offered to patients . In more debilitating conditions where the clinical outcome is best determined by surgery , procedures are done with the latest technology to ensure rapid recovery .
Dr Sathappan also serves as a visiting consultant at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he teaches young doctors in training . A specialist for more than 20 years , he is an orthopaedic surgeon with a sub-speciality interest in joint replacement , sports injuries , and general orthopaedics as well as trauma . He treats both adults and children with various bone ailments , ranging from trauma to degenerative conditions .
Ever since his speciality training was completed , he has had a deep
Dr S . S Sathappan
interest in minimally invasive techniques for bone and joint conditions which is complemented by his vast experience in the use of computer and robotic surgeries . He has seen several phases of developments in robotic and computer aided technology , including using computers in joint replacement procedures beginning in 2004 . He was also one of the first surgeons to utilise robotics from its inception in Singapore in 2013 .
His interest in joint replacement has also enabled him to be the first surgeon in the Asia-Pacific to perform custom made joint replacement implants in patients . In addition to his clinical practice , Dr Sathappan was previously adjunct assistant professor as well as clinical tutor at the National University of Singapore . He is also one of the few specialist clinicians who has been trained in acupuncture and is board certified by the traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) college to perform acupuncture in the management of chronic and acute conditions .
The clinic ’ s team also treats sport injuries , which includes physiotherapy services to care for patients preoperatively and post-operatively . It can also provide robotic surgery , such as for joint replacements , by using the latest robotic technology , including MAKOplasty , a procedure that optimises implant alignment and allows patients to return to work early . Coupled with long lasting implants , the procedure utilises minimally invasive surgical techniques . The team is also well-versed in treating cartilage injuries . Using a combination of nonsurgical and surgical techniques , the clinic prioritises treatment strategies according to the severity of the patient ’ s condition . In more simple cartilage injuries , various innovative techniques such as intra articular injection , including selective use of plasma rich precipitate , are used to treat patients with such injuries .
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