Asst Prof Tay Kae Sian is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Director of the Foot and Ankle Service at Singapore General Hospital. His clinical expertise covers foot and ankle surgery, lower limb reconstruction and deformity correction, and lower limb fractures. He has completed fellowships in complex deformity correction of the foot and ankle and in lower limb reconstruction.
Clinical focus
Foot & ankle surgery (reconstruction & deformity correction).
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS (S'pore), MMed (Ortho), MRCSEd, FRCSEd (Ortho).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital — Outram (Singapore General Hospital)
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Singapore General Hospital
Getting to the clinic
Assistant Professor Tay Kae Sian practises in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), on the SingHealth campus in Outram. The campus is best reached via Outram Park MRT (EW16/NE3/TE17), an interchange on the East–West, North East and Thomson–East Coast Lines. From the station, follow sheltered walkways and signage to the relevant SGH block, as the campus is large.
- By MRT: alight at Outram Park and follow campus signs to the orthopaedic clinic.
- By bus: multiple services stop along Outram Road and around the campus; check the nearest stop for your route.
- By car or taxi: taxi and ride-hailing drop-off is available, and SGH has visitor carparks, which can be busy at peak clinic times.
For foot and ankle appointments, comfortable footwear that is easy to remove helps the examination. Allow time to locate the correct building and clinic level, and arrive early for registration, particularly for a first appointment.
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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.
What foot & ankle surgery covers
Assistant Professor Tay directs foot and ankle work, covering surgery, lower limb reconstruction, deformity correction and lower limb fractures. This subspecialty deals with the complex network of bones, joints, tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle. Common problems include bunions and other forefoot deformities, flat feet, arthritis of the ankle and foot joints, tendon disorders such as Achilles problems, and the consequences of injury.
Deformity correction and reconstruction address misalignment that causes pain, instability or difficulty walking, sometimes following trauma, arthritis or longstanding conditions, and may involve realigning bones, repairing or transferring tendons, or fusing painful joints. Many foot and ankle problems are first managed without surgery — through footwear changes, orthotics, physiotherapy and medication — with surgery considered when symptoms persist, deformity is significant, or a fracture needs fixation. Because the foot and ankle bear the body’s weight and are central to balance and walking, the goal of treatment is to restore comfortable, stable function for daily activity and a return to work or sport.
What to expect at a consultation
A first visit covers your symptoms — pain, swelling, deformity, instability or difficulty walking — how they began, and how they affect daily life and footwear. The doctor reviews your medical history and examines the foot and ankle, assessing alignment, range of movement, tenderness and the way you stand and walk.
Imaging is often needed: weight-bearing X-rays show the bones and alignment under load, and scans such as MRI or CT may be arranged for soft tissues or complex deformity. The doctor then explains the diagnosis and discusses options ranging from non-surgical measures to surgery, including what an operation would involve and the likely recovery.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous records, operation notes and copies of relevant X-rays or scans.
- A current list of medications and supplements.
- Your usual footwear, plus any orthotics, insoles or ankle supports you use.
- A written list of symptoms and questions, noting which activities and shoes make things worse.
Wearing or bringing shorts or loose trousers makes it easier to examine the leg, and comfortable shoes that come off easily are helpful.
After your consultation and follow-up
You will usually leave with a clear plan: footwear or orthotic advice, physiotherapy, medication, further imaging, or a date for surgery. Foot and ankle recovery often involves a period of protected weight-bearing, sometimes in a boot or cast, with reviews to confirm healing and guide rehabilitation. Reports and imaging can be provided for your records or referring doctor.
Keeping to follow-up appointments helps confirm that bones and soft tissues are healing and that you are progressing safely back to walking. You may seek a second opinion before major surgery. Seek urgent attention for severe pain, a foot or ankle that cannot bear weight after injury, signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth and fever, or sudden numbness or coldness in the foot.
Booking, referrals and fees
SGH is a public hospital, so a GP or polyclinic referral is commonly used and can support subsidised rates for eligible patients. For eligible surgical procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while routine consultations are usually paid out of pocket, subject to subsidy eligibility. Confirm fees, subsidy status and insurance arrangements with the hospital before proceeding.
Common questions
Do bunions and flat feet always need surgery?
No. Many cases are managed with footwear changes, orthotics and exercises. Surgery is considered when pain or deformity is significant and non-surgical measures have not helped enough.
How long is recovery after foot or ankle surgery?
It varies with the procedure, but recovery often involves a period of protected weight-bearing and rehabilitation over several weeks to months. The surgeon will explain what to expect for your operation.
Why are weight-bearing X-rays used?
X-rays taken while standing show the true alignment of the foot and ankle under load, which is important for diagnosing and planning treatment of deformity.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
A GP or polyclinic referral is commonly used at a public hospital and can help with subsidies. Bring any previous imaging and records with you.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore and our shortlist of orthopaedic 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.
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