The Orthopaedic Trauma Service at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) provides comprehensive care for injuries involving bones and joints, most commonly fractures (broken bones) and dislocations. Our team also manages complications related to fractures, including problems with healing, deformities, and infection.
We care for patients across all age groups, from young adults with high-energy injuries to older patients who sustain fractures from low-energy falls. Our goal is to restore function, relieve pain, and help patients return safely to daily activities.
Our Role Within Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
The Orthopaedic Trauma Service provides round-the-clock (24/7) coverage for trauma-related injuries. We work closely with multiple disciplines involved in trauma care, including Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care teams, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Geriatric Medicine.
Our team manages both high-energy trauma, such as injuries from road traffic accidents or falls from height, as well as fragility fractures in older adults. We are committed to delivering timely, efficient, and patient-centred care through coordinated multidisciplinary management.
Conditions and Injuries We Treat
We manage a wide spectrum of orthopaedic trauma conditions, including:
- Upper and lower limb fractures
- Joint dislocations
- Pelvic and acetabular fractures
- Open fractures
- Polytrauma from high-energy injuries such as falls from height or road traffic accidents
- Fragility fractures in geriatric patients (e.g. hip fractures)
- Complications of previous trauma, including malunion, non-union, deformities, limb length discrepancies, and fracture-related infections
Our Approach to Trauma Care
Our care is guided by evidence-based, patient-centred principles. Treatment decisions are made collaboratively with patients, with surgery offered early when medically appropriate. We place strong emphasis on pain control, early mobilisation, and rehabilitation to help patients regain independence and function.
Techniques & Technical Capabilities
Our consultants are experienced in a wide range of trauma techniques, including:
- Minimally invasive fracture fixation
- Complex peri-articular fracture fixation
- Deformity correction surgery
- Circular and monolateral frame fixation
- Management of non-unions and malunions
- Use of 3D printing and advanced planning tools for complex cases
Achievements, Education, Training & Research
KTPH is home to an award-winning multidisciplinary Hip Fracture Unit, which provides coordinated and comprehensive care for elderly patients with hip fractures. Structured care pathways for geriatric trauma patients help support timely surgery, early mobilisation, and recovery.
Our faculty regularly contribute to and participate in local and regional trauma courses, and are actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate orthopaedic training. These activities reflect our commitment to education, continuous improvement, and high-quality trauma care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I need surgery for my fracture?
Surgery is recommended only when medically indicated. Our team will discuss your individual condition and explain both non-operative and operative treatment options. - How long does recovery usually take?
Recovery depends on the type and location of the fracture. Healing may take from around six weeks to several months, and progress is monitored through clinical assessments and imaging when necessary. - Will I need physiotherapy or rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery. We work closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to support mobilisation and functional improvement. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from supervised therapy or guided home exercises. - How are treatment decisions made?
Treatment decisions are evidence-based and personalised to each patient. Care plans are developed collaboratively, taking into account medical needs, functional goals, and patient preferences. - Can older patients recover well after fractures?
Yes. With appropriate surgery when needed, early mobilisation, and structured rehabilitation, many older patients can achieve good functional recovery.
Contact & Access
Patients with acute injuries should present to the Emergency Department for urgent assessment. Depending on the nature of the injury, patients with acute fractures may be admitted for inpatient care, or discharged with an early fracture clinic appointment if the condition can be safely managed on an outpatient basis. Outpatient referrals can also be made via polyclinics or general practitioners. Private consultations may be arranged by calling the KTPH hotline.
