Written by Dr James Tan
What Is a Sports Injury?
A sports injury is a physical activity injury that an individual endures during sports or other rigorous tasks. Minor or severe damage can happen as a result of a sports injury depending on the impact endured by the body. The most common occurrences in sports are strains, sprains, and fractures. A person can suffer from these in essentially any body part. Any kind of repetitive movement like painting or even garden work can cause a range of conditions that we refer to as sports injuries.
Types: Acute vs Chronic
An orthopaedic doctor can divide sports injuries into two general categories - acute and chronic. Each type has its own treatment plan so it’s essential to know what kind of injury you have.
An acute sports injury happens during a particular moment as a result of an impact, trauma, or a fall. During sports, bumping into other people, falls, or twisting an ankle are common, which can result in bruising and injuries. Single traumatic events can be of smaller or bigger magnitude, directly determining the severity of the injury experienced by the individual.
On the contrary, repetitive stress on the body and long-term endurance can lead to the development of a chronic injury. Golfer’s elbow, tendinitis, stress fractures, and knee arthritis are some common examples of chronic injuries. such injuries manifest in the form of decreased range of motion, stiffness, and pain.
Our sports injury specialist at Ray of Health can help manage chronic pain and provide effective relief.
Sports Injury Treatment
Depending on the type of sports injury, your orthopaedic specialist can recommend an effective management and treatment plan. Sometimes, the condition can be managed and treated through conservative measures such as targeted sports injury physiotherapy, home remedies, painkillers, braces and splints, and some sports injury TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) options. At other times, surgical intervention by a qualified surgeon may be necessary.
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Find A Sports Injury Clinic in Singapore
As much as being active and playing sports can boost your health and overall well-being, accidents happen and those sweat sessions can take their toll on your body in the long term. That’s why it’s important to understand and treat sports injuries.
Are you looking for a sports injury doctor in Singapore? We are ready to help! We specialise in sports medicine and our doctors can diagnose your issue and help manage your condition with our customised treatments for sports injuries. At Ray of Health, we also provide shoulder dislocation treatment, ACL tear treatment and wrist injury treatment.
Reach out to us by calling +65 6235 8781 or chat with us on WhatsApp at +65 8028 4572. You can also talk to us by clicking the button below.
Locations
Camden Medical
1 Orchard Boulevard, #09-06
Singapore 248649
Mount Alvernia Hospital
820 Thomson Road
Medical Centre D #05-60
Singapore 574623
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Treatment Process With Our Sports Injury Doctor
Dr James Tan, our sports injury specialist at Ray of Health, deals with various orthopaedic conditions of the body. He advises his patients to consult him in case of any pain or injury at the earliest so that the condition can be assessed and diagnosed properly.
- Registration: First, register with Dr James' team and book an appointment here.
- First appointment: At the first appointment, Dr James Tan will carry out a thorough physical exam for your sports injury, and evaluate your medical history.
- Diagnosis: Typically, additional diagnostic tests are required to assess the causes of the problems accurately. This usually comes in the form of MRI or X-ray scans.
- Personalised Treatment Plan: Dr James will then create a personalised treatment plan based on your specific condition and needs, which could include undergoing surgery, and recommend the necessary treatment modalities to you.
- Follow-up sessions: Dr James will schedule additional follow-up sessions to monitor the recovery process until you fully recover.
Disclaimer: Treatment plans may differ for different patients. Please contact Dr James for more information.
Accreditations
Mount Elizabeth Orchard
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Farrer Park Hospital
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Aptus Surgery Centre
Novaptus Surgery Centre
Medisave & Insurance Shield Plan Approved
If you are a Singaporean or a Permanent Resident of Singapore, some of our orthopaedic procedures can be claimed under Medisave. The claimable amount will vary based on the procedure's complexity.
For other situations, please consult our friendly clinic staff regarding the use of your Integrated Shield Plan insurance.
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Corporate Insurance
MHC
Fullerton
Adept
Alliance
Aptus Surgery Centre
Novaptus Surgery Centre
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Who Gets Sports Injuries?
Anyone from elite athletes to artists to factory workers can suffer from injury during sports. Because of its unpredictable nature, any person can go through these conditions. However, certain factors can increase your risk of getting a sports injury. These risk factors include the following:
- Incorrect form or exercise techniques.
- Training too often or for too long at one time
- Increasing the intensity of a workout too quickly.
- Making the same repetitive movements on a long-term regular basis
- Running on hard ground
- Wearing improper shoes
- Using improper equipment
- Already having a prior injury.
It is important to note, however, that each person and every injury is different. Some people may run on the pavement for years without any issues while others quickly experience pain. Athletes who have completed successful physical therapy may find that their prior injury has little effect on them while those who didn’t properly recover from a previous injury may be left with daily pain. Always remember to wear proper footwear to prevent lower back pains and also to stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion outdoors.
What Are the Common Types of Sports Injuries?
Individuals of all ages, demographics, and skill levels can be at the receiving end of an injury. The areas of the body that are more prone to sports injuries are the supporting bones, muscles, and joints including the shoulders, elbows, back, and knees. Let's discuss these specific injuries.
Shoulder
Sports-related injuries that involve the shoulder include rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement. Rotator cuff pain can be sudden or come up over time and is common amongst tennis players, swimmers, and anyone else who has to regularly reach over their heads. Impingement is an inflammation that is also caused by repeated overhead movements. Shoulder dislocation or instability can happen to any athlete due to overuse or impact. Always consult an orthopaedic doctor in case of a dislocated shoulder.
Elbow
Common elbow injuries include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, little league elbow, and Ulnar collateral ligament injuries. These are caused by overuse of the elbow through repeated movements in some specific positions.
Knee
25% of all sports injuries account for knee joint injuries during sports. Patellar fracture, Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, osteochondral fracture, tendon tears, and meniscus tears are some of the most common knee injuries. Sudden impact, improper jumping and landing techniques, and imbalance during cycling, running, etc are the common causes of such injuries.
Our sports injury clinic in Singapore offers customised treatment options for patients looking for meniscus tear treatment by a specialised doctor for long-lasting effects. Knee injuries often require surgical procedures by a qualified knee surgeon for effective recovery.
Leg
Sportsmen often experience injuries in their legs during sports. These include pulled muscles and sprains. People who play hockey, football, and baseball are more at risk of experiencing groin pulls. Players of football and basketball are particularly prone to hamstring pulls. If you are a runner, shin splints can be a common issue.
Ankle
Sports injuries that involve ankle injuries can be categorised into four categories.
- Ankle sprains that are focused on lateral ligaments.
- Ankle strains that cause damage to muscles around the ankle joint.
- Ankle fractures that concentrate on the ankle’s weight-bearing bone Talus (Achilles tendinitis comes under this category)
- Ankle dislocation in which the talocrural joint is injured.
Immediate medical attention is required for ankle dislocation, while the other three injuries can cause pain swelling, and bruising to a lesser extent. Sometimes, it is also possible to hurt your foot during sports activities and it is advised to seek heel pain treatment by an orthopaedic doctor to prevent further injuries.

Bone Fractures from Sports- Image Credit: Cleveland Clinic
Frequently-Asked Questions About Sports Injuries in Singapore
How Can I Prevent Recurring Sports Injuries In The Future?
Proper preparation, self-care, and awareness of injury management can help prevent sports injuries in the future. If you have been suffering from one or multiple sports injuries, here are the things you need to start focusing on, to avoid further damage.
Maintain Proper Warm-Up Routine
Strain and injuries that are mild are usually caused by the body not being prepared to endure the physical stress. Create a 20-minute warm-up routine before stepping into aggressive sport again. This ensures that your body has transitioned to an active state for running and other tasks.
Seek Professional Guidance
A sports injury doctor should be consulted, as they are trained in the unique medical records of athletes and sports enthusiasts. If you have incurred an injury or sprain in the past, it is advised to attend the prescribed sports injury physiotherapy sessions before getting back in the game. Our sports injury Singapore specialists cater to injury prevention education along with suggesting the optimum medication to regain your full strength.
Incorporate Body Strengthening Exercises
Strength training is crucial to ensure that your core, muscles, and other connective tissues are strong enough to endure the sports activities. Physiotherapists and orthopaedic specialists can guide you for effective strength training, especially in the area around a previous injury.
Consider Using Protective Gear
Braces and specialised equipment are designed to provide additional stability and protect the area from re-injury. Invest in high-quality protective gear to reduce the risk of damaging that area again.
Are There Alternative Therapies For Sports Injuries?
When to See an Orthopaedic Sports Surgeon in Singapore?
What should I do immediately after sustaining an injury?
When should I see a doctor?
What is the typical recovery time?
What is the most common injury in sports?
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or specialist doctor regarding any medical condition that you might be facing and act on the doctor’s recommendations.
References:
- "Sports Injuries", National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries
- "Sports Injuries", National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/sportsinjuries.html
About The Author
Dr James Tan Chung Hui's Background
Dr James Tan is a skilled orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore who has more than 10 years of experience in sports surgery and exercise medicine. Apart from partnering with the industry to introduce various treatment techniques, Dr Tan has treated athletes from the Singapore National Teams and professional footballers from the Singapore Premier League and the Young Lions.
Dr Tan specialises in treating sports injuries of the knee, shoulder and elbow joints, as well as cartilage and meniscus surgery. He is a member of the elite Asian Shoulder and Elbow Group and a founding member of the Singapore Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Society.
Medical Education and Affiliations
MBBS | NUS
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCS)
MMed (Orthopaedics) | NUS
Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh)
Adjunct Assistant Professor | NUS, LKC
Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports and Exercise Medicine
Head of Department | Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Centre
Awards
Principal Investigator of Tissue Engineering
National Medical Research Council grants
Collaboration with Scientists at NTU, TUM, A*Star, Osteopore & Trendlines Medical Singapore


