DR DESMOND ONG HANG SHYAN

Known by his patients as the ‘Bowtie Doctor’, for his penchant for wearing a bowtie, Dr Desmond is an avid cyclist and father of two. As no stranger to the demands of juggling a career, parenthood, and a physically demanding pastime – he sets patients on the road to recovery from a wide range of sports and orthopaedic conditions.

Dr Desmond Ong Hang Shyan is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports surgeon who graduated from The National University of Singapore in 2000 before receiving his Masters of Medicine (Orthopaedic Surgery) in 2006. He is a registered orthopaedic surgeon and a Fellow of the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

As a skilled sports orthopaedic specialist and avid cyclist, Dr Desmond has a unique understanding of the physical demands and injuries that can occur in athletes. He uses this knowledge to provide valuable advice and care to his patients who are dealing with sports injuries, particularly those related to the wrist, shoulder and elbow. 

In recognition of his clinical work, Dr Desmond is a recipient of the Health Manpower Development Program (HMDP) scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Health and the Excellent Service Gold Award. In 2011, he was appointed as a Visiting Scholar by the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Medicine. During this time, he also worked at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong furthering his clinical interest in advanced arthroscopic upper limb surgery with an emphasis on the wrist and elbow.

Apart from his clinical work, Dr Desmond is actively involved in teaching as a clinical tutor with the National University of Singapore. He is a member of the Singapore Orthopaedic Association and the Singapore Society for Hand Surgery and has presented or lectured in regional and international meetings. He is also actively involved in grassroots work in Ang Mo Kio GRC and previously the NorthEast CDC.

Dr Desmond recognises that every individual is different and therefore, a personalised approach is necessary to achieve optimal results. He is dedicated to ensuring that his patients are well-informed about their condition and the available treatment options, and works closely with them to develop a plan that addresses their specific needs. His ultimate goal is to provide compassionate care and support patients in returning to their preferred level of activity, be it competitive sports or daily activities.