Orthopedics in Singapore

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with the conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, including the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. A doctor who specializes in orthopedics is called an orthopedist. The musculoskeletal conditions that orthopedists can treat may be present from birth or occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear. Some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist can treat are as follows:

• Bone fractures
• Joint pain from arthritis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Soft tissue, including muscles, ligament, and tendon, injuries
• Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
• Worn out and sports injuries, such as meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and tendinitis
• Congenital conditions, such as scoliosis and clubfoot.

Orthopedists can conduct diagnostic tests, including physical examinations and X-rays. They use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. The procedures performed by orthopedists include, but are not limited to:

• Total joint replacement
• Knee ligament surgery, including knee arthroscopy
• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Carpal tunnel release
• Fracture repair surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Hip replacement
• LaminectomyFracture repair surgery, including repair of the ankle, the femoral neck, and trochanteric fracture
• Bone grafting surgery
• Osteotomy
• Herniated disk surgery
• Debridement of muscle, bone, or fracture.

How Long Should I Stay in Singapore?

Depending on the condition for which you were treated and the type of treatment you underwent, you may be able to leave the hospital the same day or the day after surgery. In general, you should wait at least 4 to 7 days before you travel home for most surgeries. This is because surgery can affect your ability to tolerate turbulence. After total hip replacement, it is recommended that you take it very easy for around 3 months to minimize the risk of hip dislocation. During your stay in Singapore you will need to attend several follow-up checkups where your orthopedist will monitor your healing and remove any stitches (if necessary). 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Several factors determine your recovery period, including your overall health, the reason you needed an orthopedic treatment, and the type of treatment you had. Your orthopedist will give you a detailed post-operative plan, including when you can go back to your normal routine and work. The recovery period takes approximately 2 weeks to 3 months.

What Aftercare is Required?

Make sure to follow your orthopedist direction after treatment. In most cases, you will need to attend rehabilitation, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, which you can do at a facility in your home country or have home visits from a physical therapist. The goal of physical therapy is to increase your range of motion, improve function, and to regain your strength and ability. 

What's the Success Rate?

The advancement of orthopedics and a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system have made orthopedic treatments safer and highly successful. For example, over 95% of patients who had total hip replacement experience relief from hip pain. However, while orthopedics surgery generally does not cause major risks, you still need to be aware that complications can occur, such as infections, blood clots, blood vessel damage, bone fracture, and joint stiffness. 

Are there Alternatives?

There is typically no other alternatives than seeing an orthopedist if you experience any problems in your bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. However, depending on your condition, you may be able to undergo acupuncture, home exercise programs, and other alternative treatments.

Orthopedics in and around Singapore

About Singapore

Singapore is a small, yet beautiful island city-state in South East Asia. The country's growth and prosperity in terms of infrastructure and economy are astounding and Singapore is affluent and tax-friendly and its GDP is on par with developed European nations.

Singapore is a global center for education, technology, tourism, trade, logistics, and healthcare. Medical expenses in Singapore are expensive when compared to Thailand and India. Yet, the country attracts medical tourists with its cleanliness, world-class medical infrastructure, and facilities. A C-section will cost anywhere between $6,048 and $11,267 in Singapore. Hip replacements can cost around $8,550-$12,850 and breast lump removal will cost you $5,459-$10,700 including a private room.

The country has 15 JCI accredited hospitals and medical centers, which offer a variety of services from orthopedics, dermatology, dental, cardiology, ophthalmology, and cosmetic procedures to alternative therapies such as acupuncture and Ayurveda. English-speaking medical professionals are extremely skilled and experienced. The hospitals in Singapore have access to cutting edge technologies and it is the best country to treat life-threatening, complex conditions.

It is advisable for medical tourists to have an International Health Insurance Plan to cover surgical costs. Most of the reputed hospitals in Singapore will only admit foreign patients with health insurance.

Medical care in Singapore is not just about getting preventive care and treatments for medical conditions that one may have. Some of the health care centers in Singapore are super luxurious and you can even order your food and shop using wireless tablets provided and make use of the nearby spas. Popular Hospitals and Clinics are the Farrer Park Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital Singapore, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Parkway East Hospital, and Thomson Medical Centre.

Popular parts of Singapore

Singapore is home to over 5.5 million people and its cultural diversity is displayed in the extensive ethnic cuisine and major festivals. Singapore ranks number ten in the world for skyscrapers.

• Sentosa: Each of Sentosa’s three beaches: Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong—hold their own unique charms. Palawan beach’s islets and playgrounds are great spaces for families to unwind. Resorts World Sentosa is home to several amazing experiences. Take a movie-themed ride at Universal Studios Singapore, or immerse yourself in aquatic adventures at the S.E.A. Aquarium.
• Marina Bay: If you wish to explore the extravagant side of Singapore, visit the stunning, Marina Bay. The Nightlife is amazing with glittering lights, glitzy rooftop bars, and restaurants. Marina Bay is the central and the busiest district of Singapore.
• Chinatown: You can experience an impressive blend of traditional and modern Singapore in Chinatown. There are ornate Chinese, Buddhist and Hindu temples, museums and plenty of opportunities to soak up the busy streets which are full of old shophouses. It is the perfect location for traditional cuisine and you will be spoilt for choice.
• Orchard: The 2 km long Orchard Road is a shopper’s paradise as you will find large shopping malls and designer’s stores. Singapore’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, the Botanical Garden lies at the corner of Orchard Road.
• Joo Chiat: This neighborhood is more residential and you will find an amazing range of housing options.
• Little India: is the center of the Indian community within Singapore and is filled with multicolored shop-houses that line the streets, and various mosques and temples, and enjoy the aromas that infuse the night air when the demand for food is at its peak.

Weather and Climate in Singapore

Singapore lies close to the equator in the Southern Hemisphere. The island country has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid throughout the year which has led to a steady inflow of tourists all year round.

Singapore receives an annual rainfall of 2430 mm. An average of 167 days receives moderate to heavy rainfall. Two different monsoons: Northeast (December to March) and Southwest monsoon (May to September) accounts for the rainfall. Thunderstorms are quite common during the Southwest monsoon.

The average temperature is 31°C during the day. It is most likely that the temperature can drop to 19°C during the hours of darkness.

Getting around in Singapore

Rated as the world's best airport by Skytrax, Singapore Changi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the World. The airport serves around 100 airlines, flying to 400 cities across 100 countries. You can hire a taxi or use the MRT to reach downtown Singapore.

The transport system is efficient due to the systematic and comprehensive network of roadways. The Land Transport Authority controls private vehicles and minimizes traffic congestion. Some of the common forms of transportation are:

• Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): The MRT has a total of five lines. You can buy a Singapore Tourist Pass or EZ Link card which allows you to use the railways any number of times for two or three days. A single journey costs 0.58 USD and a train arrives every 2-3 minutes during the peak hours.
• Public buses: There are over 300 public buses to serve the locals and tourists and bus fares range from 0.58 USD to 2.07 USD.
• Taxis: are widespread in Singapore and are less expensive and metered. It can cost you 2.63 USD per km.
• Water taxis: Will take you across the beautiful River Singapore. You can visit a few tourist spots via water taxis and view the downtown from a different angle. A single journey will cost 5 USD.

Tourist Visa in Singapore

Citizens of India, China and Russia require a valid tourist visa to enter the territory of Singapore. The visa processing time is just 5 days and it is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You are allowed to stay here for a maximum of 30 days.

People from the European Union, US, Norway, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand can enter and stay for 90 days in Singapore visa-free.

Additional Information

1. Singapore dollar (S$) is the official currency of Singapore. 1 USD is equivalent to 1.36 Singapore dollars.
2. You can find ATMs close to banks, shopping malls and almost every tourist location. You can also pay by using credit and debit cards.
3. Malay is the national language of Singapore. Mandarin, English, Malay, and Tamil are the four other official languages of the country. So, almost all the locals are fluent in English.
4. Singapore is home to 10 religions. 33% of the total population practice Buddhism, followed by Christianity and Islam.
5. New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year, Labour’s day, Good Friday, Deepavali, Vesak day, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas are some of the public holidays in Singapore.