- Home
- Conditions & Treatments
- Back Pain
Back Pain Specialist in Singapore
Find a Doctor for Your Back Problems
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek specialist care and one of the most frequently mismanaged. Whether your pain comes on suddenly after an injury or has been building over months or years, an accurate diagnosis from the right doctor is what determines whether treatment actually works.
At Orthopaedics International, our spine specialists assess and treat the full range of conditions that cause back and neck pain, from herniated discs and spinal stenosis to scoliosis and degenerative spinal disease.
Our Back Pain Specialists
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
With over 20 years in orthopaedic and spine surgery, Dr. Tan Chong Tien is one of Singapore’s most seasoned spine specialists. He served as Director of the Spine Service at Singapore General Hospital from 1989 to 2005, where he was instrumental in establishing the spine subspecialty and introducing a range of innovative spinal procedures. During that time, he also mentored a generation of local and international spine surgeons.
Conditions treated: Spine injuries, degenerative spinal disease, scoliosis, and general orthopaedic conditions.
Find Dr. Tan At
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Ngian Kite Seng manages spinal conditions alongside a broad orthopaedic practice. His published research includes work on cervical fusion in rheumatoid arthritis and burst fractures of the lumbar spine. He is an International Affiliate Member of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and a member of AO Spine.
Conditions treated: Spine injuries, lumbar and cervical conditions, scoliosis, and general orthopaedic conditions.
Find Dr. Ngian At
Specialist Neurosurgeon
Dr. James Tan Siah Heng is a neurosurgeon with a focus on non-fusion spinal surgery (spinal disc replacement), injection treatment for neck and back pains, minimally invasive spine techniques, and the treatment of degenerative conditions affecting the cervical and lumbar spine. He completed two prestigious scholarships: first in London, training in spinal surgery, and subsequently in Zurich, Switzerland, where he trained specifically in minimally invasive spine techniques under Professor Dieter Grob.
Dr. Tan was the first surgeon in Southeast Asia to use the Bryan Artificial Cervical Disc in 2002 and has performed approximately 3000 artificial disc implantations. He remains actively involved in teaching and has been an invited speaker and instructor at surgical courses and conference.
Conditions treated: Prolapsed discs, spondylosis, myelopathy, radiculopathy, degenerative cervical and lumbar spine disease, and spinal tumours.
Find Dr. Tan At
Conditions Our Back Pain Specialists Can Treat
What Is Causing Your Back Pain?
If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect you may have, any of the following conditions, a consultation with one of our spine specialists can help clarify your diagnosis and outline your treatment options.
Herniated or prolapsed disc
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Scoliosis
Muscle and ligament strain
Spondylosis
Spinal tumours
Wondering whether your back pain needs surgery? Learn more about our spine surgery services.
Patient / Case Anecdotes
The following cases illustrate the range of conditions our spine specialists treat and the outcomes patients have experienced. The cases shown are the results of spine surgery for different spine diagnoses. The results shown are specific to that case, and may not apply to other cases with similar diagnoses.
Patient details have been anonymised.
Relief from four years of back pain
Spine Decompression and Fusion
A 61-year-old patient came to Dr. Tan Chong Tien in 2023 after four years of worsening low back pain that radiated down both legs. By the time she sought help, she could only walk for about ten minutes before the pain became too much. An MRI confirmed very severe L4-5 and moderately severe L5-S1 spinal canal narrowing.
Dr. Tan performed a L4 to S1 decompression and a pedicle screw instrumentation with interbody fusion procedure to address the compression.
Following surgery, she had excellent relief of her back pain and sciatica and she was walking comfortably again.
Relief from four years of back pain
A 61-year-old patient came to Dr. Tan Chong Tien in 2023 after four years of worsening low back pain that radiated down both legs. By the time she sought help, she could only walk for about ten minutes before the pain became too much. An MRI confirmed very severe L4-5 and moderately severe L5-S1 spinal canal narrowing.
Dr. Tan performed a L4 to S1 decompression and a pedicle screw instrumentation with interbody fusion procedure to address the compression.
Following surgery, she had excellent relief of her back pain and sciatica and she was walking comfortably again.
Neck pain and arm symptoms resolved with artificial disc surgery
Artificial Disc Surgery
A 50-year-old graphic designer based in China developed neck pain and shooting pain down her left arm that progressively worsened despite medication and physiotherapy. Dr. James Tan reviewed her case and an MRI confirmed a prolapsed disc at the C6/7 level compressing the nerve root on her left side.
She underwent cervical disc replacement at that level using an artificial disc, avoiding the need for fusion and allowing her to move her neck freely immediately after the procedure — without a collar or brace.
She returned to work within a week and was back to running two weeks after surgery.
Scoliosis correction in a teenage patient
A 50-year-old graphic designer based in China developed neck pain and shooting pain down her left arm that progressively worsened despite medication and physiotherapy. Dr. James Tan reviewed her case and an MRI confirmed a prolapsed disc at the C6/7 level compressing the nerve root on her left side.
She underwent cervical disc replacement at that level using an artificial disc, avoiding the need for fusion and allowing her to move her neck freely immediately after the procedure — without a collar or brace.
She returned to work within a week and was back to running two weeks after surgery.
Why Choose Our Orthopedic Doctors
Many of our doctors pursued advanced training overseas, gaining exposure to complex cases, cutting-edge surgical techniques, and international best practices in orthopaedic care.
Beyond clinical work, our specialists are active contributors to the orthopaedic community. They serve as speakers at conferences, educators shaping future surgeons, reviewers for respected medical journals, and innovators advancing surgical techniques.
This commitment ensures our patients benefit from a wealth of experience, global perspectives, continuous learning, and leadership in orthopaedics, all delivered with clarity and professionalism.
Hear from our patients
Disclaimer:
All reviews displayed on The Orthopaedics International Specialist Group’s website are provided directly by our patients via our Patients Experience Survey.
We adhere strictly to the guidelines set forth by Singapore’s Healthcare Services (Advertisement) Regulations 2021 (“Advertisement Regulations”) to ensure the authenticity and integrity of all patient feedback.
JP
8 月 ago
Excellent. Dr Ong Joo Haw had a warm disposition, which was reassuring for my son, the patient. He asked clear questions and performed a detailed physical examination to rule out certain things. I appreciated his methodical approach. He explained the various possibilities for my son’s pain in clear, layman, terms. All in, a pleasant experience.
A.H.
8 月 ago
Dr Leslie Leong provided a sincere and undivided attention to my son’s injury, and I also want to compliment the nurse (Chris Quek), she is very attentive and very caring towards the patient and family member. Good job
C.L.
8 月 ago
Extremely positive experience. Dr Tan Chong Tien is extremely skilful and experienced. He was able to explain my condition in an easy to understand manner. He is also very empathetic and understanding which helps when you’re in discomfort.
B.F
8 月 ago
My overall experience with Dr Patrick Goh and his staff was excellent. I was attended to promptly, the staff were warm and reassuring, Dr Goh explained the treatment and procedure clearly to me before administering it. Dr Goh is my “go-to” Sports physician.
E.L
9 月 ago
Dr Ivan Chua is excellent, very knowledgeable, good listener and understands patient’s need. Receptionist is also very kind and polite
O.Pl
9 月 ago
Dr Chan is a patient, knowledgeable and caring doctor. Always cheerful and going that extra mile to explain any questions posed. His staff are pleasant and most helpful. A wonderful and great team.
When Should You See a Back Problem Doctor?
Many episodes of back pain resolve on their own within a few weeks. However, certain symptoms suggest that a specialist assessment is warranted sooner rather than later such as:
- pain that persists beyond six weeks without improvement;
- back pain that follows a fall, accident, or injury;
- pain that radiates down one or both legs;
- numbness or tingling in the legs or feet;
- weakness in the legs;
- difficulty walking;
- or changes in bladder or bowel function
These symptoms should all prompt a consultation with a spine specialist. A new onset of significant back pain in someone over 50, or back pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss or fever, also warrants prompt medical review.
Experienced Back Pain Specialists in Singapore
Get a Consultation for Your Back Pain Today
If back pain is affecting your daily life and has not responded to rest or conservative management, a specialist consultation can give you a clearer picture of what is happening and what your options are. Bring any existing scans or reports and our spine team will work through them with you.