Musculoskeletal pain

Sports injuries in Singapore: symptoms, treatment and recovery

Name: Sports injuries in Singapore: symptoms, treatment and recovery
Creator: Dr Christopher Liu

A sprain, strain or tendon injury from sport or exercise often settles with sensible early care and a gradual return to activity. If pain is not settling, or keeps coming back when you train, a pain specialist can look for the cause and plan treatment with you.

At a glance

Common signsPain, swelling or bruising soon after a twist, fall or collision, or pain that builds up with training.

See a specialist ifPain has not eased after a few weeks, keeps coming back when you train, or stops you doing your sport or work.

What may helpEarly protection, then gradual loading and exercise. For stubborn tendon or joint pain, injections or shockwave therapy may be options.

Seek urgent care forSevere pain or deformity after an injury, being unable to put weight on the limb, a head or neck injury, or numbness with weakness.

Written and reviewed by Dr Christopher Liu, Pain PhysicianLast reviewed: 27 October 2026About Dr Liu

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries are injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones or joints that happen during sport or exercise. They can affect anyone, from competitive athletes to people who exercise to keep fit.

Some happen suddenly, such as an ankle sprain after an awkward landing or a hamstring tear while sprinting. Others build up over weeks or months from repeated strain, such as tendon pain or a stress fracture. Doing too much too soon, a change in training, poor recovery, technique or footwear problems, and an earlier injury that never fully settled can all play a part.¹

Common sports injuries

Ankle sprains, from twisting or rolling the ankle
Muscle strains, such as hamstring, calf and groin strains
Knee injuries, including ligament sprains and cartilage tears
Tendon problems, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendon pain and rotator cuff tendinopathy
Stress fractures, small cracks in a bone from repeated loading
Contusions, bruises from a direct knock

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the injury, but commonly include:

pain at the time of injury, or pain that gradually builds during or after training
swelling, bruising or tenderness
stiffness or reduced movement
a feeling that the joint is weak or gives way
pain that eases with rest but returns when you restart your sport

Seek urgent medical care if you have:

severe pain, obvious deformity or a bone that may be broken
inability to put weight on the injured leg or to use the arm
a head, neck or back injury, or numbness or weakness after a fall or collision
a hot, red, swollen joint, especially with fever

Go to the nearest emergency department.

When to see a pain specialist

A new injury, particularly one you cannot put weight on, should first be checked by a doctor so that a fracture or serious tear is not missed.

It is worth seeing a pain specialist if pain has not settled after a few weeks, keeps returning when you go back to training, or is getting in the way of sleep, work or your sport. We work alongside your sports doctor, physiotherapist and surgeon where needed.

How sports injuries are assessed

Dr Liu will ask how the injury happened, how your training has changed, and what makes the pain better or worse. He will examine the area, checking movement, strength, stability and the tender spots.

A scan is not always needed. An X-ray is used when a fracture is suspected, and ultrasound or MRI can show tendons, ligaments and fluid when the picture is unclear or the pain is not improving.

Treatment

Most sports injuries improve with good early care and a gradual return to activity.¹

Early care. In the first few days, protect the injury by avoiding movements that increase pain, raise the limb and use compression to limit swelling.¹ Your doctor can advise on pain relief that suits you.
Gradual return. After the first few days, start gentle movement and weight-bearing as pain allows, then build up with pain-free aerobic exercise and exercises for mobility, strength and balance.¹
Tape or a brace. After an ankle sprain, tape or a brace combined with an exercise programme is recommended. Supervised exercise is preferred over passive treatments, and surgery is kept for sprains that do not respond to a thorough exercise programme.²
Injections and shockwave therapy. When pain from a tendon, joint or tight muscle band continues, we may offer an ultrasound-guided joint injection, a platelet-rich plasma injection, shockwave therapy or trigger point injections. These work best alongside rehabilitation, and Dr Liu will explain which may suit you and what the risks are.

What to expect

Recovery time depends on the injury and how severe it is. Mild sprains and strains often settle over a few weeks, while tendon problems can take longer. You can usually return to sport once the pain has settled, your movement and strength are close to normal on both sides, and you can do the movements of your sport without pain. Build back up gradually rather than all at once.

At your consultation we will go through the options with you and plan your rehabilitation, so that you can get back to the activities you enjoy.

Preventing sports injuries

Warm up before you play or train.
Increase your training load gradually.
Include strength, balance and flexibility work, and cross-train to avoid overusing the same muscles.
Wear footwear that suits your sport and replace it when worn.
Allow rest days and enough sleep.
Consider a brace if you have had repeated ankle sprains.²
Get niggles checked early rather than playing through pain.

Dr Christopher Liu, Pain Physician

MOH accredited Pain Specialist and Medical Director of Alleviate Pain Clinic at Farrer Park Hospital. He completed an interventional pain fellowship at the University Health Network in Toronto and was previously a Senior Consultant in Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital.

Related conditions

Rotator cuff tendinopathyShoulder tendon pain ArthritisJoint pain and stiffness De Quervain’s tenosynovitisThumb-side wrist pain

References

Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(2):72–73. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101253
Vuurberg G, et al. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(15):956. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106

This page gives general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms and treatment options.

Common questions

Should I rest a sports injury?

For the first few days, protect the injury, raise it and use compression, then start moving and loading it gradually as pain allows. Long periods of complete rest are not usually helpful. Your doctor can advise on pain relief and what suits you.

How can I tell if it is a sprain or a fracture?

You cannot reliably tell by yourself, because the two can feel alike. Pain over a bone, being unable to put weight on the limb, deformity or numbness are reasons to see a doctor promptly, who may arrange an X-ray.

Do I need a scan for a sports injury?

Not always. An X-ray is used when a fracture is suspected, and ultrasound or MRI is used when a tendon, ligament or cartilage injury is possible or the pain is not improving. Dr Liu will advise whether a scan would change your treatment.

When can I go back to sport?

It depends on the injury. In general, you can return when pain has settled, movement and strength are close to normal compared with the other side, and you can do the movements of your sport without pain. Build back up gradually and follow the advice of your doctor and physiotherapist.

Can an injection help a sports injury?

Injections are used for selected problems, such as an inflamed tendon sheath, bursa or joint, and work best alongside exercise and rehabilitation. They are not suitable for every tendon problem. We use ultrasound to guide the needle, and Dr Liu will explain the benefits and risks for your own situation.

Does insurance cover interventional pain treatments in Singapore?

Interventional pain procedures are covered by the Ministry of Health's Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). They are therefore reimbursable by all Integrated Shield Plans and most corporate insurance plans. However, it is advisable to obtain preauthorisation from your insurer before the procedure. Our clinic staff will guide you through this process.