Dr. Alan Cheung, like many of our readers is an Expat living in Singapore. He has lived on this sunny island for the last seven years and is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in Sports Injuries and Robotic Joint Replacement.
Born in Cambridge, England Dr. Cheung underwent his medical school training at University College Hospital in London. He also trained in Sydney, Australia and in the USA. Since arriving in Singapore he has been the local medical lead for the One Championship and One Warrior Series Mixed Martial Arts events, Matchday doctor for the HSBC Sevens and SuperRugby events and is currently Team Doctor for the Singapore Cycling Federation, and Wrestling Federation of Singapore.
In 2018 he founded the award winning International Orthopaedic Clinic in Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and feels extremely privileged to look after Expats and global locals - repatriated Singaporeans and their families from all corners of the globe.
Expat Choice recently caught up with Dr. Cheung to discuss how he became a Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon and discovered an interesting story to share with our readers. His story begins on the playing fields of Cambridge Rugby Club. He was 15 years old and after missing a tackle, Alan landed directly onto his right outstretched arm. He was horrified to hear a loud pop and felt the sickening sensation of his arm leaving its socket.
Within seconds his shoulder popped back in with a clunk and to his surprise he was able to carry on playing. This was the first “subluxation” - a temporary dislocation of his shoulder joint, and he would experience this sensation a hundred times more before he finally stopped playing rugby. This experience taught Dr. Cheung what it was like to be a sportsman playing and coping with an injury, and planted the seeds of curiosity of why and how injuries occur.
One of his first jobs as a young doctor was at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex, and under the tutelage of the Mr Simon Lambert and Mr Ian Bayley he learned all about sports injuries, clinical examination, and most importantly how to listen to and understand his patients. These lessons have stood in his good stead throughout his career and inspired him to always keep learning and improving his skills.
After finishing his training in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery in northwest London, he then completed a Fellowship in Joint Reconstruction at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Dr. Cheung was then offered a job as a Consultant in a new public hospital in the west of Singapore which he gladly accepted. His parents had moved to Hong Kong some years previously, and his in-laws were already in Singapore. He saw this as a good opportunity to try something new and to give his children a chance to learn about Asian culture and Chinese languages. Singapore being safe, efficient and with an excellent education and health system sealed the deal, one might say - the rest is history.
Although there were some cultural and language differences, he was fortunate enough to work in a forward-thinking department alongside fellow British trained doctors. Singapore has an advanced medical system on a par with, and in some ways ahead of, Western medical systems. Dr. Cheung was fortunate enough to continue his training in another of his specialist interests, Robotic Joint Replacement, and train with experts as far afield as New York and San Diego in the USA, and South Korea.
After arriving in Singapore he took up Martial Arts and began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts. Dr. Cheung has also had the opportunity to compete in tournaments in BJJ in Singapore and Tokyo. These experiences have really helped him to understand what an athlete goes through when training, dealing with minor injuries, and the physical and mental challenges involved in sports.
He also plays golf regularly with a keen interest, skied now and again pre-Covid, and also enjoys cycling and running. As a sportsman as well as a doctor, he can empathise with what his patients go through with some deeper understanding of their sport. Dr. Cheung did share with us, that certain doctors in Singapore tell their patients never to return to sports after an injury, and may not do any sports themselves – so he says to be careful who you listen to.
International Orthopaedic Clinic (IOC) aims to provide the highest quality care for you and your family, whether you have a sporting injury or a worn out joint from decades of activity. IOC also aims to provide a bespoke solution for your own unique problem allowing you to return to your desired activity and sports in tip top condition.
Dr Alan is available for consultation by appointment only. The International Orthopaedic Clinic is conveniently located in Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre.
a. Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #05-24 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563
