Adj Assoc Prof Kelvin Chew is a sports physician and Senior Consultant with the Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre at Changi General Hospital and Novena. He graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, completed a Masters in Sports Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and undertook a sports medicine fellowship at Stanford University Medical Centre.
He has published in musculoskeletal diagnostics and disease management, and previously headed the sports medicine centre at Alexandra Hospital. He served as President of the Sports Medicine Association Singapore from 2010 to 2012.
His clinical interests centre on the diagnosis and non-surgical management of musculoskeletal and tendon conditions. He has also served as a team and event physician for several national teams and major sporting events.
Clinical focus
Tendinopathy & musculoskeletal medicine.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBCh (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland); MSpMed (University of New South Wales); Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University Medical Centre.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre @ Novena — Novena Medical Center, Sinaran Drive
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Changi General Hospital (Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine)
Getting to the clinic
Adj Assoc Prof Kelvin Chew practises at the Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre @ Novena, at Novena Medical Center on Sinaran Drive. The simplest route by public transport is via Novena MRT on the North-South Line (NS20), which sits a short and mostly sheltered walk from the medical centre through the linked buildings around the station. This is convenient for patients with tendon or joint pain who would rather not walk far in the open.
Buses serve Thomson Road and the surrounding Novena roads, and the MRT station connects directly into the area’s development. If arriving by taxi or ride-hailing, ask to be dropped at the Novena Medical Center / Sinaran Drive entrance near the lifts. Drivers will find a paid visitor carpark in the building; the Novena medical cluster is busy on weekdays, so allow extra time at peak periods and consider setting down a less mobile patient at the entrance before parking.
What tendinopathy and musculoskeletal medicine covers
Adj Assoc Prof Chew’s clinical interests centre on the diagnosis and non-surgical management of musculoskeletal and tendon conditions. Tendinopathy refers to pain and dysfunction in a tendon, usually from overload, and is one of the most common reasons people see a sports physician.
- Tendon conditions such as Achilles tendinopathy, patellar (knee) tendinopathy, rotator cuff problems at the shoulder, and tennis or golfer’s elbow.
- Plantar fasciitis and other load-related conditions of the foot and lower limb.
- General musculoskeletal pain affecting joints, muscles and ligaments.
- Diagnostic assessment, including the use of musculoskeletal imaging where helpful to clarify the cause.
- Non-surgical treatment, with a strong role for progressive loading and rehabilitation.
Tendinopathy responds best to a graded loading programme that gradually rebuilds the tendon’s capacity, rather than rest alone. Management therefore focuses on correcting the overload, restoring strength and addressing contributing factors, with other treatments added when needed.
What to expect at a consultation
A consultation starts with a detailed history: when and how the pain began, which activities aggravate it, your training or work demands, and how symptoms have changed over time. Tendon problems often build gradually, so the pattern of onset is informative.
A focused examination assesses the painful tendon or joint, along with strength, flexibility and any tests that load the structure to reproduce the symptoms. Imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may be arranged to confirm the diagnosis or assess severity. You will then discuss the findings and a plan, which for tendinopathy typically centres on a structured, progressive loading and rehabilitation programme, advice on managing aggravating activities, and a realistic timeline, as tendons can be slow to settle.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification, and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous records, scans and reports relating to the tendon or joint problem.
- A current medication and supplement list with doses.
- A written list of symptoms and questions.
- Footwear and clothing suitable for examination and movement testing.
- A note of your activity or training load, since overload is central to tendon problems.
After your consultation and follow-up
You should leave understanding the diagnosis and the loading or rehabilitation plan. Imaging reports are usually available within a few days and can be shared with you and other clinicians. Tendinopathy commonly takes weeks to months to improve, so follow-up visits are valuable: they let the doctor confirm progress, advance your loading programme and adjust treatment if the tendon is slow to respond. Physiotherapy referral is common, and continuity of care supports steady progress and a safe return to full activity.
You may seek a second opinion at any time. Seek urgent attention for a sudden pop or inability to use a limb (which can indicate a tendon rupture), severe pain, or signs of infection such as spreading redness, swelling and fever around a joint.
Booking, referrals and fees
Private specialists can usually be seen without a referral, though a GP or polyclinic letter can help with continuity and may assist with subsidies if you are later directed to public services. For eligible procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally out of pocket. As coverage varies by plan and procedure, confirm fees and claimable items with the clinic beforehand.
Common questions
Why does my tendon pain take so long to improve?
Tendons adapt slowly, so recovery is often measured in weeks to months. A progressive loading programme rebuilds the tendon’s capacity over time rather than offering an instant fix.
Should I rest a painful tendon completely?
Usually not. Complete rest can weaken a tendon further. Carefully graded loading, guided by the doctor, is generally more effective.
Do I need a scan for tendinopathy?
Many cases are diagnosed clinically. Imaging such as ultrasound or MRI is used selectively to confirm the diagnosis or judge severity.
Will exercises alone fix the problem?
For many people, a structured loading programme is the cornerstone of treatment. Additional measures are considered when progress is slow or symptoms are severe.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of sports medicine physicians in Singapore and our shortlist of sports medicine clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
Don’t agree with this listing? If this is your profile and you’d like the details corrected, updated or removed — or you’d like to be featured — please reach out to us or use our contact form. We’ll sort it out quickly.