About Dr SS Sathappan

Your clinician

Dr S S Sathappan is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with subspecialty interest in Joint replacement as well as all sports injuries. He treats both adults and children with various bone ailments. He has vast experience in minimally invasive (“keyhole”) techniques for bone and joint conditions as well as vast experience in usage of computer and robotics in orthopaedic surgery. He continues to be an active visiting consultant in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and oversees residents at surgical procedures for joint replacements.

Qualifications

Dr S S Sathappan completed his clinical studies in the University of Bristol in the year 1995. He was awarded the Suple book prize for being the best student in medicine. Following his under-graduate studies he did surgical training in Singapore which including the following institutions: Singapore General Hospital (SGH); National University Hospital (NUH); Alexandra Hospital (AH); Changi General Hospital (CGH) and finally his final specialist training year in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).

In 2004 he was awarded the Singapore governments, health manpower development program (HMDP) award to further train in primary and revision joint replacement surgery. He gained extensive experience in minimally invasive and computer assisted hip and knee surgery. His qualifications are as follows:

• MBchB
• FRCSEd
• M Med (Ortho)
• FRCSEd (Ortho)
• FAMS (S’pore)

Apart from clinical practice, Dr Sathappan was Adjunct Assistant Professor and also Clinical tutor in NUS, Specialty Board Member for the Chapter of Orthopedic Surgeons (Singapore), Clinical Research Co-ordinator; ATLS Course Instructor; and BCLS Course Instructor. He has written numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters in several orthopedic textbooks. Annually, he is involved in numerous international hip and knee orthopedic meetings as invited faculty where he often lectures in various subspecialties.

He has also been trained in acupuncture and is board certified by the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) College. He assesses patient with chronic musculoskeletal pain and evaluates for any significant pathophysiological conditions that require surgical intervention. When these patients condition does not warrant surgery he provides treatment for selected patients with chronic joint and back pain.

Dr Sathappan has won numerous awards during his training years and as a consultant in a restructured hospital. His most recent achievement was the EXSA Superstar Award (2009) for which he was the recipient for four consecutive years for the Gold Award since 2005. Other awards included Yahya Cohen Surgical award (2008), NUS teaching excellence award (2007/08), NHG Quality Pillar Award (2007/08); Best Clinical Practice Improvement Program award (2007); Young Orthopedic Investigator award (2007); Hip & Knee Arthritis and Reconstruction Scholarship (Hip & Knee Society, USA 2005); Suple best student in medicine award (1995).

Publications by Dr Sathappan

1. Use of tantalum cones in primary arthroplasty of acute proximal tibial fractures.
   Sivasubramanian H, Kini SG, Ang KY, Sathappan SS. 
   Acta Orthop Belg. 2016 Sep;82(3):593‐598.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29119902/
2. Correlation between the distal anterior femoral cortical axis and femoral rotational alignment: an anatomic study. 
   Sathappan SS, Tan MW, Ginat D, Walsh MG, Schweitzer ME, Di Cesare PE.
   J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2016 Aug;24(2):198‐203. doi:10.1177/1602400216
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27574263/
3. Risk factors for early implant-related surgical site infection. 
   Kok TW, Agrawal N, Sathappan SS, Chen WK.
   J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2016 Apr;24(1):72‐76. doi:10.1177/230949901602400117
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27122517/
4. Clinical outcomes and hospital length of stay in 2,756 elderly patients with hip fractures: a comparison of surgical and non-surgical management. 
   Tan ST, Tan WP, Jaipaul J, Chan SP, Sathappan SS.
   Singapore Med J. 2017 May;58(5):253‐257. doi:10.11622/smedj.2016045
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26915390/
5. Synovial Cyst: A Culprit for Recalcitrant Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Case Report.
   Yeoh C, Lim G, Sathappan SS. 
   Malays Orthop J. 2015 Nov;9(3):68‐70. doi:10.5704/MOJ.1511.011
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28611916/
6. Alignment Analyses in the Varus Osteoarthritic Knee Using Computer Navigation. 
   Tan KG, Sathappan SS, Teo YH, Low WC.
   Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2015 Jun;44(6):277‐283.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26046998/
7. A variant of patellar clunk syndrome after bilateral total knee arthroplasty: clinical manifestations and arthroscopic images. 
   Teo EY, Ang CL, Sathappan SS.
   Orthop Surg. 2014 Nov;6(4):326‐328. doi:10.1111/os.12142
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25430718/
8. Painful pretibial pseudocyst at bioabsorbable interference screw aperture two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. 
   Shen MX, Sathappan SS.
   Singapore Med J. 2013 Oct;54(10):e211‐e214. doi:10.11622/smedj.2013195
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24154591/
9. Role of navigated total knee arthroplasty for acute tibial fractures in the elderly.
   Kini SG, Sathappan SS. 
   Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013 Aug;133(8):1149‐1154. doi:10.1007/s00402-013-1792-8
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23771128/
10. The application of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Part II: total knee arthroplasty. 
    Amanatullah DF, Burrus MT, Sathappan SS, Levine B, Di Cesare PE.
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2012 Oct;41(10):E140‐E144.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23376995/
11. The application of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Part I: total hip arthroplasty. 
    Amanatullah DF, Burrus MT, Sathappan SS, Levine B, Di Cesare PE.
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2012 Oct;41(10):E134‐E139.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23376994/
12. Comparing the analgesia effects of single-injection and continuous femoral nerve blocks with patient controlled analgesia after total knee arthroplasty.
    Chan EY, Fransen M, Sathappan S, Chua NH, Chan YH, Chua N. 
    J Arthroplasty. 2013 Apr;28(4):608‐613. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2012.06.039
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23142441/
13. Applying computer-assisted navigation techniques to total hip and knee arthroplasty.
    Amanatullah DF, Burrus MT, Sathappan SS, Levine B, Di Cesare PE. 
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2011 Aug;40(8):419‐426.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22016871/
14. Total hip arthroplasty in above-knee amputees: a case report. 
    Sathappan SS, Wee J, Ginat D, Teicher M, Meere P, Di Cesare PE.
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2011 Feb;40(2):E17‐E19.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21720599/
15. Management of knee osteoarthritis presenting with tibial stress fractures. 
    Ng YC, Sathappan SS, Wong HP.
    Singapore Med J. 2010 Sep;51(9):e149‐e152.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20938599/
16. Operative fixation of a subtrochanteric fracture in a patient with previous spontaneous hip fusion. 
    Tan KG, Sathappan SS.
    Singapore Med J. 2010 Jun;51(6):e107‐e110.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20658098/
17. Massive wear and metallosis of an Acetabular Cup System presenting as pseudodislocation.
    Sathappan SS, Wee J, Ginat D, Meere P. 
    Orthopedics. 2009 Jun;32(6):449. doi:10.3928/01477447-20090511-23
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19634809/
18. Failure of constrained acetabular liner without metal ring disruption. 
    Sathappan SS, Ginat D, Teicher M, Di Cesare PE.
    Orthopedics. 2008 Mar;31(3):275. doi:10.3928/01477447-20080301-34
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19292234/
19. The epidemiology and surgical outcomes of patients undergoing primary total hip replacement: an Asian perspective. 
    Liu YE, Hu S, Chan SP, Sathappan SS.
    Singapore Med J. 2009 Jan;50(1):15‐19.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19224079/
20. Management of gamma nail breakage with bipolar hemi-arthroplasty. 
    Wee JL, Sathappan SS, Yeo MS, Low YP.
    Singapore Med J. 2009 Jan;50(1):e44‐e47.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19224071/
21. Persistent knee instability following revision total knee arthroplasty.
    Lin KH, Sathappan SS, Wong HP. 
    Singapore Med J. 2008 Dec;49(12):e347‐e349.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19122931/
22. A review of clinical pathway data of 1,663 total knee arthroplasties in a tertiary institution in Singapore. 
    Xu GG, Sathappan SS, Jaipaul J, Chan SP, Lai CH.
    Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2008 Nov;37(11):924‐928.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19082198/
23. Does stress shielding occur with the use of long-stem prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty?.
    Sathappan SS, Pang HN, Manoj A, Ashwin T, Satku K. 
    Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2009 Feb;17(2):179‐183. doi:10.1007/s00167-008-0649-0
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18974974/
24. Patellar reconstruction using distal femoral autograft in a patellectomized patient undergoing total knee arthroplasty. 
    Pang HN, Sathappan SS.
    J Arthroplasty. 2008 Sep;23(6):939.e1‐939.e9397. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.07.022
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18534512/
25. Total hip arthroplasty for ankylosed hip secondary to heterotopic ossification.
    Kaliyaperumal K, Sathappan SS, Peng LY. 
    J Arthroplasty. 2008 Apr;23(3):470‐475. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.03.041
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18358392/
26. Effect of anesthesia type on limb length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty.
    Sathappan SS, Ginat D, Patel V, Walsh M, Jaffe WL, Di Cesare PE.
    J Arthroplasty. 2008 Feb;23(2):203‐209. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.01.022
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18280413/
27. Surgical challenges in complex primary total hip arthroplasty. 
    Sathappan SS, Strauss EJ, Ginat D, Upasani V, Di Cesare PE.
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2007 Oct;36(10):534‐541.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18033565/
28. Technical challenges of advanced hip osteonecrosis managed using a vascularised fibular graft. 
    Tan CH, Sathappan SS, Chew YC, Ong HS.
    Singapore Med J. 2007 Nov;48(11):e299‐e303.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17975682/
29. Fixation systems of greater trochanteric osteotomies: biomechanical and clinical outcomes. 
    Jarit GJ, Sathappan SS, Panchal A, Strauss E, Di Cesare PE.
    J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007 Oct;15(10):614‐624. doi:10.5435/00124635-200710000-00006
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17916785/
30. Massive femoral osteolytic lesion secondary to disengagement of a total knee tibial locking pin: case report. 
    Sathappan SS, Capeci C, Teicher M, Di Cesare PE.
    J Knee Surg. 2007 Jul;20(3):241‐244. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1248050
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17665788/
31. Clinical outcome of total hip arthroplasty using the normalized and proportionalized femoral stem with a minimum 20-year follow-up.
    Sathappan SS, Teicher ML, Capeci C, Yoon M, Wasserman BR, Jaffe WL. 
    J Arthroplasty. 2007 Apr;22(3):356‐362. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.04.004
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17400091/
32. Multidisciplinary management of orthopedic patients with sickle cell disease.
    Sathappan SS, Ginat D, Di Cesare PE. 
    Orthopedics. 2006 Dec;29(12):1094‐1103. doi:10.3928/01477447-20061201-12
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17190168/
33. Midterm results of primary total knee arthroplasty using a dished polyethylene insert with a recessed or resected posterior cruciate ligament. 
    Sathappan SS, Wasserman B, Jaffe WL, Bong M, Walsh M, Di Cesare PE.
    J Arthroplasty. 2006 Oct;21(7):1012‐1016. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2005.06.018
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17027544/
34. Topical negative pressure in the treatment of infected wounds with exposed orthopaedic implants.
    Pelham FR, Kubiak EN, Sathappan SS, Di Cesare PE. 
    J Wound Care. 2006 Mar;15(3):111‐116. doi:10.12968/jowc.2006.15.3.26881
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16550664/
35. Management of extensor mechanism disruptions occurring after total knee arthroplasty.
    Park SS, Kubiak EN, Wasserman B, Sathappan SS, Di Cesare PE. 
    Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2005 Aug;34(8):365‐372.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16187726/