Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre

Restore Cartilage.
Regain Movement.

Singapore’s Private Dedicated Cartilage Centre for Joint & Muscle Health

Led by A/Prof Francis Wong Keng Lin (FRCSEd(Orth), PhD)

Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre

Restore Cartilage.
Regain Movement.

Singapore’s Private Dedicated Cartilage Centre for Joint & Muscle Health

Led by A/Prof Francis Wong Keng Lin (FRCSEd(Orth), PhD)

Singapore’s First Private Dedicated Centre for Cartilage & Joint Preservation

Whether it is from a sports injury, early or long-standing wear, damaged cartilage often goes undiagnosed until it causes pain, swelling, or instability.

Cartilage cannot heal naturally on its own. Therefore, early intervention is crucial before it worsens over time.

At Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, we specialise in:

Our mission is to preserve your joints, delay surgery, and restore comfort using precision diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment.

Our 5 Pillars of Patient-Centred, Science-Led Care

Surgeon-Scientist Leadership.

Been Around the World, Now Here for You.

By Oxford Orthopaedics

A/Prof Wong Keng Lin Francis

Orthopaedic Surgeon-Scientist | PhD in Cartilage Regeneration | Associate Professor

A/Prof Wong Keng Lin Francis is Singapore’s only orthopaedic surgeon-scientist with a PhD in cartilage regeneration.

  • 75+ research papers with H index of 26 and more than 2000 citations
  • International faculty and International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) committee member
  • Singapore Health Quality Service Awards STAR & Team Awardee For Clinical Excellence

A/Prof Wong Keng Lin Francis is Singapore’s only orthopaedic surgeon-scientist with a PhD in cartilage regeneration.

  • 75+ research papers with H index of 26 and more than 2000 citations
  • International faculty and International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) committee member
  • Singapore Health Quality Service Awards STAR & Team Awardee For Clinical Excellence

Subspecialty Focus:
Cartilage Restoration | Meniscus Surgery | Ligament Repair | Non-Surgical Orthobiologics

In Collaboration With:

A Bespoke Treatment Plan,
Just for You.

Taking care of yourself can be overwhelming. Let us take it from here.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Best for: Early cartilage wear or mild arthritis

Options Include:
  • Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Lubricates joints, reduces stiffness and improves shock absorption
  • Autologous Protein Solution (APS): Blood-derived therapy that reduces inflammation and promotes joint healing
  • Novel Orthobiologic: Early cartilage preservation using next-gen cell-derived injectables
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: Stimulates healing in tendons and ligaments
  • Clinical Pilates and Associated Physical Therapies: Focused on joint stability, alignment, and reducing biomechanical stress

Best for: Structural cartilage or soft tissue injuries, such as tears or unstable lesions.

Procedures Include:

Using techniques such as AMIC (Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis) or AMIC+ (scaffold-based repair, with BMAC or minced cartilage for biologic enhancement). 

Learn more under A/Prof Francis Wong’s Published Cartilage Restoration Techniques.

Including scaffold-supported regeneration (e.g. Hyalofast) or OATS (Osteochondral Autograft Transfer) for focal lesions.
Often using AMMR (Arthroscopic Medial Meniscus Root Repair) to restore load distribution and joint shock absorption.
Including ACL, MCL, or ATFL repair to stabilise joint biomechanics.

Best for: Patients with focal cartilage defects or early degeneration. These specialised techniques stimulate new cartilage growth and restore joint surface integrity.

Techniques May Include:
Using biologically active matrices like Hyalofast or collagen-based implants to promote cartilage growth over defect sites.
Enhancing repair using cell therapies, growth factors, or exosome-derived injectables to accelerate healing at a cellular level.
Stimulates natural cartilage regrowth while preserving subchondral bone integrity, reducing long-term degeneration risks.
Supports integration and recovery post-surgery, often as part of a biologic treatment plan.

This technique showcases how A/Prof Francis can template a perfectly shaped scaffold into a defect. The scaffold is augmented with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate to improve clinical outcomes. This paper also demonstrates the preoperative and postoperative considerations.

This technique is challenging for many surgeons, who often struggle with handling the patella. In this paper, A/Prof Francis has demonstrated that it can be achieved, along with the use of minced cartilage, to further enhance clinical outcomes. 

Integrated Shield Plans

Here at Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, we would like to walk you through your entire healthcare experience, from your first consultation to your recovery.

This includes working with your insurer during the claims and billings process to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey.

For those with Integrated Shield plans with riders for private hospital coverage or Corporate Insurance plans, you can rest easy as we provide assistance in obtaining a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) or Pre-authorisation certificate for your procedure. Additionally, we work with the hospital or surgical centres in processing your medical claims.

Please Find the Recognised Insurance Panels Below:

Take the First Step
Towards Recovery.

Delaying care can lead to permanent cartilage loss and total joint replacement.

If you are unsure about your treatment options, book a consultation to get your recovery journey started with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people get knee cartilage problems?

Cartilage damage often stems from:

  • Sports injuries like twisting or high-impact trauma
  • Age-related wear, especially over 50
  • Previous trauma or surgery
  • Degenerative conditions like early osteoarthritis

At Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, we address these issues with non-invasive injections, arthroscopic repair, or partial knee replacement, depending on severity.

Yes. Young adults often experience cartilage injuries from sports — e.g. twisting, jumping, or collisions. If left untreated, these injuries may worsen and increase arthritis risk later in life.

Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery) is commonly recommended for athletes or active individuals with early cartilage damage, as it allows precise repairs with minimal scarring or downtime, helping active individuals return to sport safely.

Cartilage doesn’t have a blood supply, which means:

  • Healing cells can’t reach the damaged area
  • Inflammation builds, worsening the problem
  • Natural regrowth is minimal

That’s why treatments like Autologous Plasma Therapy and Microfracture Surgery via Keyhole Technique are designed to stimulate healing by reintroducing growth factors.

At Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre, we tailor your treatment based on the extent of cartilage loss, your age, lifestyle goals, and how your knee responds to initial care, helping you regain mobility and delay joint degeneration over the long term.

Yes. Degenerative cartilage loss is common in people over 50 and is a key feature of early osteoarthritis. Symptoms include:

  • Stiffness after resting
  • Pain with activity
  • Swelling or a grinding sensation in the joint


Early intervention (e.g. gel injections or Autologous Plasma Therapy) can help delay surgery and maintain mobility.

To an extent. Mild improvements may come from:

  • Staying active with low-impact exercise
  • Weight loss to reduce joint strain
  • A balanced diet with omega-3s

But once degeneration has started, Hyaluronic Acid Injections (also called gel injections) offer more effective relief by directly restoring joint lubrication. Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre provides these under image guidance, ensuring effectiveness.

You may be a candidate for cartilage repair surgery if:

  • You have persistent pain or swelling that limits activity
  • Imaging shows localised cartilage loss
  • Non-surgical treatments (like injections) have not worked


Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre performs microfracture surgery, a form of cartilage restoration, through arthroscopy, creating tiny holes to stimulate cartilage regrowth.

In more advanced cases, partial knee replacement or robotic total knee replacement may be recommended, especially when arthritis affects larger joint surfaces.

Symptoms of cartilage injury include:

  • Sharp pain in the knee during movement
  • Swelling or stiffness after activity
  • Clicking, grinding, or catching sensations
  • Pain when climbing stairs, squatting, or kneeling

A physical examination and imaging (MRI or X-ray) with A/Prof Francis at Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre can confirm the diagnosis.

Yes, if you’re in the early stages of cartilage damage. Image-guided injections like Hyaluronic Acid (HA) or Autologous Protein Solution (APS) can:

  • Lubricate and cushion the joint
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Support tissue repair
  • Delay or avoid the need for surgery in many cases

In many cases, yes.
Image-guided injections, Autologous Plasma Therapy, and keyhole cartilage repair can relieve symptoms and preserve joint health, especially when done early.

But when damage is extensive, Oxford Partial Knee Replacement may provide the best outcome, with faster recovery and a more natural feel compared to traditional replacements.

Oxford Cartilage & Sports Centre offers:

  • Lubricating injections to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Autologous Plasma Therapy to delay arthritis progression
  • Oxford Partial Knee Replacement for focused joint resurfacing
  • Robotic Total Knee Replacement (Makoplasty) for advanced cases requiring full joint reconstruction

Treatments are customised based on your age, goals, and knee condition, with a focus on keeping you mobile and pain-free.

We often treat patients with past surgery or persistent symptoms using newer biologic or joint-preserving options.
Symptoms like grinding, stiffness, or recurrent swelling are red flags. We use imaging to confirm and guide your treatment.

If joint damage is widespread, partial knee replacement may be discussed. Our goal is to preserve your natural joints first, but we provide honest guidance if surgical replacement is the most appropriate path.

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Our Clinic Locations

Mt Alvernia Hospital

Mt Elizabeth Hospital