Patient Questions

Straight answers from our musculoskeletal doctors and physiotherapists on the conditions Singaporeans ask about most.

Back Pain, Knee Pain & Shoulder Pain — Common Questions in Singapore

Straight answers from our musculoskeletal doctors and physiotherapists on the conditions Singaporeans ask about most.

What should I do for sharp back pain in Singapore?

Sharp back pain is most often caused by muscle strain, disc irritation, facet joint pain or nerve impingement. At Inflexion Health in Singapore, our musculoskeletal doctors and physiotherapists assess the cause, exclude red flags, and start treatment with manual therapy, pain education and progressive exercise. Most acute episodes settle within a few weeks with the right plan.

How is knee pain treated at a Singapore musculoskeletal clinic?

Knee pain treatment depends on the cause — patellofemoral pain, meniscal injury, ACL rehabilitation or knee osteoarthritis (OA). Our Singapore clinicians combine hands-on manual therapy, targeted strengthening, gait retraining and, where indicated, shockwave therapy or dry needling. The goal is to restore pain-free function without rushing to surgery.

When should I see a doctor for shoulder pain or a shoulder injury?

See a doctor for shoulder pain or shoulder injury if pain persists beyond two weeks, you have weakness or loss of motion, the pain wakes you at night, or the injury followed a fall or tackle. Inflexion Health in Singapore provides prompt musculoskeletal assessment for rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, impingement and labral injuries.

What is musculoskeletal osteoarthritis (OA) and how is it managed?

Musculoskeletal osteoarthritis (OA) is wear-and-tear arthritis affecting joints such as the knee, hip, shoulder and spine. Evidence-based management at Inflexion Health in Singapore includes load modification, targeted strengthening, manual therapy, weight optimisation and adjunct modalities such as shockwave therapy — all aimed at reducing pain and preserving joint function.

Do you provide primary care for musculoskeletal problems in Singapore?

Yes. Inflexion Health offers primary care for musculoskeletal complaints including back pain, knee pain, shoulder injury, neck pain and sports injuries. Our doctors and physiotherapists provide first-contact diagnosis, conservative treatment, imaging referrals when needed, and onward referral to specialist surgeons only when surgery is genuinely required.

Do I need a referral to see a musculoskeletal doctor in Singapore?

No referral is required. You can self-refer to Inflexion Clinic for any back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, shoulder injury, sports injury or chronic musculoskeletal problem in Singapore. We accept walk-ins, online bookings and WhatsApp enquiries.

Where can I get a knee injection in Singapore without a specialist referral?

Inflexion Clinic (66 East Coast Road, The Flow, Singapore 428778) is a musculoskeletal-focused private GP clinic that performs knee injections — hyaluronic acid (HA), PRP, Cingal and corticosteroid. No specialist referral is required. Walk in during opening hours, book via the website or WhatsApp, and the assessment plus injection are usually done in the same visit.

Is Cingal available at a GP clinic in Singapore?

Yes. Cingal — the single-shot injection combining cross-linked hyaluronic acid with triamcinolone hexacetonide — is available at Inflexion Clinic, a private GP clinic in Singapore. Cingal is best suited for knee osteoarthritis with an inflammatory flare and is delivered in a single 15-minute visit.

Can a GP treat tennis elbow in Singapore?

Yes. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a routine musculoskeletal GP problem and is treated at Inflexion Clinic without requiring a specialist referral. Depending on how long you have had the symptoms, treatment may include a structured loading programme, shockwave therapy, dry needling, a corticosteroid injection for a short-term flare, or a PRP injection for chronic tendinopathy.

What is the difference between hyaluronic acid and PRP for knee osteoarthritis?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a synthetic viscosupplement that lubricates and cushions the joint — a mechanical effect that lasts 6–12 months. PRP is your own platelet-concentrated blood, delivered to trigger a biological repair response — the effect builds over 4–12 weeks and lasts 6–12 months. HA is typically our first choice for older patients with straightforward osteoarthritis; PRP is often preferred for younger, active patients or where the arthritis is combined with tendon pathology. We assess and recommend the right option for you at Inflexion Clinic in Singapore, without requiring a specialist referral.

Do I need a specialist referral for joint injections in Singapore?

No. Joint injections — hyaluronic acid, PRP, Cingal and corticosteroid — can be provided at a GP clinic and do not require a specialist referral in Singapore. Inflexion Clinic offers all four injection types. Walk-ins, online bookings and WhatsApp enquiries are all accepted.

What is a musculoskeletal (MSK) GP clinic?

A musculoskeletal (MSK) GP clinic is a general-practice clinic that also handles pain, joint, tendon and sports-injury conditions — the kind of MSK problems that would traditionally be sent to an orthopaedic specialist or sports-medicine physician. At Inflexion Clinic in Singapore we do both: everyday GP care (coughs, health screening, chronic disease follow-up, MCs, vaccinations) plus MSK diagnostics, joint injections (HA, PRP, Cingal, corticosteroid), shockwave therapy and physiotherapy — all under one roof, with no referral required.

Where is Inflexion Clinic located and how do I get there?

Inflexion Clinic is at 66 East Coast Road, The Flow, Singapore 428778 — in the heart of Heritage Katong. A 5-minute sheltered walk from Marine Parade MRT (TE26) on the Thomson–East Coast Line. Parking is available within The Flow, plus additional public parking at Katong Square and i12 Katong next door. The clinic is fully wheelchair-friendly with step-free access. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-1pm.