Doctor + AHPC-Registered Physiotherapy + Rehabilitation

Knee arthritis treatment does not necessarily have to begin with expensive injections, repeated treatment sessions or surgery.

For many patients, the appropriate starting point is a structured programme combining:

Medical assessment

Physiotherapy

Exercise and strengthening

Lifestyle and weight management

Appropriate investigation and medication

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we have brought these components together into a:

$650 Knee Arthritis Rehab Programme

For eligible patients in 2026:

Up to $500 MediSave claimable*

which may reduce the patient’s:

Cash payment to as little as $150*

*Subject to individual eligibility, available MediSave limits, applicable co-payment requirements and claimability of individual services.

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What Is Included in the $650 Knee Arthritis Rehab Programme?

The programme includes:

2 Doctor Consultations

The first consultation allows the doctor to assess the knee problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The second consultation provides an opportunity to review progress and decide what should happen next.

This is important because treatment should not simply continue indefinitely without reassessing whether it is working.

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2 Physiotherapy Sessions

The programme includes two sessions with our:

Experienced, AHPC-Registered Physiotherapy Team

Physiotherapy can focus on:

• Knee strength
• Mobility
• Walking
• Stairs
• Functional movement
• Exercise progression
• Home rehabilitation

Our physiotherapists work alongside our doctors within the same clinic.

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Why AHPC Registration Matters

Physiotherapy is a regulated allied health profession in Singapore.

The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) regulates physiotherapists and maintains the professional register.

Patients should therefore check that the person providing their physiotherapy is appropriately AHPC-registered and authorised to practise.

At The Pain Relief Clinic, our physiotherapy team consists of experienced, AHPC-registered physiotherapists.

This provides an independently verifiable professional credential and supports a properly documented clinical care pathway.

It can also be relevant where patients intend to use eligible MediSave benefits or submit treatment documentation to an insurer.

However:

AHPC registration alone does not make treatment MediSave- or insurance-claimable.

MediSave and insurance have their own separate eligibility requirements.

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Individualised Knee Rehabilitation Programme

Two supervised physiotherapy sessions do not mean rehabilitation ends after two visits.

An important part of the programme is helping the patient develop an exercise plan that can continue outside the clinic.

This may include:

• Strengthening
• Mobility exercises
• Functional exercises
• Walking progression
• Appropriate aerobic activity
• Home exercises

The objective is not to make patients permanently dependent on treatment sessions.

It is to help them become increasingly capable of managing their knee.

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Lifestyle Counselling

Knee osteoarthritis can be affected by factors beyond the knee itself.

Lifestyle counselling may address areas such as:

• Physical activity
• Exercise habits
• Activity modification
• General health
• Maintaining mobility
• Strategies for remaining active

The recommendations should be individualised according to the patient’s circumstances.

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Weight-Management Counselling Where Appropriate

Weight can be particularly important in knee osteoarthritis.

For patients who are overweight, weight management may form part of the overall treatment strategy.

But there is an obvious problem:

“How am I supposed to lose weight when my knee hurts every time I exercise?”

This is why rehabilitation and weight management can be considered together.

The aim may be to improve the patient’s ability to move while simultaneously addressing excess body weight where appropriate.

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Knee X-Ray Where Clinically Indicated

A knee X-ray is included where the doctor determines that it is clinically appropriate.

An X-ray may help assess structural changes associated with osteoarthritis.

However:

Not every patient with knee pain automatically needs an X-ray.

Imaging should be performed because it helps answer a clinical question, rather than simply because it is included in a programme.

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Medication Where Clinically Indicated

Appropriate medication can also be included where necessary.

Medication may sometimes help:

• Reduce pain
• Control inflammation
• Improve mobility
• Make participation in rehabilitation easier

The appropriate medication depends on the individual patient’s medical history and clinical circumstances.

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Why Does the Programme Include Both a Doctor and Physiotherapist?

Because knee osteoarthritis involves both:

Medical management

and

Physical rehabilitation.

The doctor can assess:

• Diagnosis
• Medication
• Investigations
• Medical risk factors
• Whether additional treatment is appropriate
• Whether specialist referral is required

The AHPC-registered physiotherapist can focus on:

• Strength
• Movement
• Exercise
• Functional rehabilitation
• Exercise progression
• Home rehabilitation

Together, this creates:

Doctor → Physiotherapist → Doctor

rather than treating medical care and rehabilitation as unrelated services.

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Why Are There Two Doctor Consultations?

The second consultation is particularly important.

It creates a built-in:

REASSESSMENT POINT

After starting rehabilitation, the doctor can ask:

• Is the patient improving?
• Is walking easier?
• Are stairs improving?
• Has strength improved?
• Is pain preventing rehabilitation?
• Is medication still necessary?
• Is the diagnosis still consistent with the patient’s progress?
• Does treatment need to change?

If the patient is improving, the programme can continue conservatively.

If not, the next step can be considered.

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What Happens After the Programme?

There is no automatic requirement to purchase another large package.

After reassessment, the next step depends on the individual.

It may be:

Continue exercising independently

or

Continue physiotherapy if additional supervision is useful

or

Modify the rehabilitation programme

or

Address weight or lifestyle factors

or

Consider additional medical treatment

or

Consider injection treatment

or

Consider advanced pain-management assessment

or

Refer for specialist orthopaedic assessment where appropriate

The principle is:

Treat → Measure → Reassess → Decide

rather than automatically:

Treat → Sell More Treatment.

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How Can MediSave Reduce the Cost?

Osteoarthritis is included under Singapore’s Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP).

Eligible outpatient management can include qualifying:

• Doctor consultations
• Investigations
• Medication
• Doctor-referred allied health services such as physiotherapy

This makes it possible for eligible knee osteoarthritis patients to use MediSave for qualifying components of their care.

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How Much MediSave Can I Use in 2026?

For patients without complex chronic conditions, the prevailing 2026 annual limit is:

Up to $500 per patient per year

subject to the applicable CDMP requirements.

For qualifying patients with complex chronic conditions, the annual limit can be:

Up to $700

under prevailing rules.

These are annual withdrawal limits, not guaranteed claim amounts for an individual treatment programme.

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So Can a $650 Programme Really Cost Only $150 in Cash?

Potentially, for an eligible patient who is able to use the full $500 towards qualifying components of the programme:

Programme Price

$650

MediSave

Up to $500*

Remaining Cash

From $150*

But the word “from” is important.

Not every patient will necessarily pay exactly $150.

The actual amount depends on factors including:

• CDMP eligibility
• Remaining annual MediSave withdrawal limit
• Available MediSave balance
• Previous MediSave usage
• Eligibility of individual services
• Applicable cash co-payment requirements

Therefore, the accurate statement is:

“Cash payment from $150*”

rather than:

“Only $150.”

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What About the 15% Cash Co-Payment?

Under prevailing CDMP arrangements, a 15% cash co-payment generally applies.

There is an exception for qualifying Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents receiving eligible CDMP treatment at their enrolled Healthier SG clinic, subject to prevailing requirements.

This means the actual amount of MediSave that can be used against a particular $650 bill can vary.

Our team can explain the applicable arrangement based on the patient’s circumstances.

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MediSave Limits Increase in 2027

From 1 January 2027, the annual withdrawal limits are scheduled to increase.

For patients without complex chronic conditions:

$500 → $700

For qualifying patients with complex chronic conditions:

$700 → $1,000

Patients receiving treatment after 1 January 2027 should check the prevailing limits and rules.

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Can I Use a Family Member’s MediSave?

Eligible patients may be able to use MediSave from an approved immediate family member subject to prevailing MediSave rules, sufficient balance and appropriate authorisation.

This may provide another funding option for some patients.

Eligibility should be confirmed before treatment.

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What About Insurance?

Some patients may have additional healthcare coverage through:

• Employee medical benefits
• Corporate flexi-benefits
• Personal accident insurance
• Travel insurance following eligible injuries
• Motor insurance or third-party claims following road traffic accidents
• Other outpatient or rehabilitation benefits

Coverage depends entirely on the individual policy.

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Why AHPC-Registered Physiotherapy Can Help With a Properly Documented Claim Pathway

Depending on the insurer, a physiotherapy claim may require information such as:

• Doctor’s diagnosis
• Doctor’s referral
• Treatment dates
• Physiotherapy records
• Invoices
• Receipts
• Details of the treating healthcare professional

Treatment by an AHPC-registered physiotherapist provides independently verifiable evidence of the professional registration of the treating physiotherapist.

Because The Pain Relief Clinic’s doctors and AHPC-registered physiotherapists work within the same care pathway, relevant clinical documentation relating to treatment received can be coordinated where appropriate.

This may help facilitate an appropriately documented claim.

However:

AHPC registration does not guarantee insurance reimbursement.

The insurer ultimately determines whether a claim is covered under the patient’s policy.

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Tell Us Before Treatment If You Intend to Claim

If you intend to use:

MediSave

or

Insurance

tell our team when arranging your appointment.

This allows the clinic to consider from the beginning whether:

• Doctor assessment is required
• A physiotherapy referral is required
• CDMP eligibility applies
• Specific documentation is required
• Your insurer has particular requirements

It is generally better to clarify these issues before treatment than after completing treatment.

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Is $650 Cheap for Knee Arthritis Treatment?

Price should be considered in the context of what is included.

The programme combines:

Medical assessment

Medical review

AHPC-registered physiotherapy

Individualised rehabilitation

Lifestyle counselling

Weight-management counselling where appropriate

X-ray where clinically indicated

Medication where clinically indicated

Rather than comparing the $650 programme only with the price of a single physiotherapy session, consider the entire care pathway being provided.

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What If I Only Want Physiotherapy?

Not everyone requires the same treatment programme.

Some patients may already have:

• An established diagnosis
• Recent imaging
• A doctor’s treatment plan
• A physiotherapy referral

Others may have new or unexplained knee pain requiring medical assessment.

The appropriate pathway depends on the individual.

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What If My Knee Pain Is Not Arthritis?

This is another reason medical assessment can be useful.

Knee pain may also result from:

• Meniscal problems
• Tendon problems
• Ligament injuries
• Patellofemoral pain
• Gout
• Inflammatory conditions
• Previous injuries
• Other musculoskeletal problems

The $650 Knee Arthritis Rehab Programme is intended for appropriate patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Patients whose symptoms suggest another condition may require a different treatment pathway.

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What If Basic Rehabilitation Isn’t Enough?

Some patients continue to experience significant symptoms despite appropriate exercise and rehabilitation.

Depending on the patient’s condition, further options may include:

• Additional physiotherapy
• Additional rehabilitation strategies
• Appropriate medication
• Shockwave therapy in selected situations
• TECAR-based treatment as an adjunct where appropriate
• Corticosteroid injection
• Viscosupplementation / hyaluronic acid injection
• Advanced pain-management assessment
• Pulsed radiofrequency for selected patients
• Visiting specialist assessment
• Orthopaedic referral

These treatments are not automatically included or necessary for every patient.

The goal is to escalate treatment only when clinically appropriate.

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Does Starting This Programme Mean I Am Trying to Avoid Surgery?

Not necessarily.

Our approach is not:

“Never have surgery.”

It is:

“Start with appropriate conservative treatment when suitable, measure the response, and escalate when necessary.”

For some patients, rehabilitation may provide sufficient improvement to continue managing the condition conservatively.

For others with substantial persistent pain and functional limitation, specialist orthopaedic assessment may ultimately be appropriate.

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Who May Consider the $650 Knee Arthritis Rehab Programme?

The programme may be worth discussing if knee arthritis is affecting your ability to:

• Walk comfortably
• Climb stairs
• Get out of a chair
• Exercise
• Work
• Travel
• Sleep
• Participate in family activities
• Maintain independence

It may also be useful for someone who has been told:

“You have knee arthritis.”

but has not yet been given a structured plan for what to do next.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the programme cost?

The programme price is $650.

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What is included?

It includes two doctor consultations, two physiotherapy sessions with our experienced AHPC-registered physiotherapy team, an individualised rehabilitation programme, lifestyle and weight-management counselling where appropriate, a knee X-ray where clinically indicated, and medication where clinically indicated.

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Can I use MediSave?

Eligible knee osteoarthritis patients may be able to use MediSave for qualifying components under CDMP.

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Can I claim $500?

The prevailing annual MediSave limit for patients without complex chronic conditions is up to $500 in 2026.

The amount an individual patient can actually use depends on eligibility, remaining annual limits, balance and applicable requirements.

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Will I definitely pay only $150 cash?

No.

The accurate statement is:

Cash payment from $150.*

The actual amount varies according to individual MediSave eligibility and applicable co-payment requirements.

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Are the physiotherapists AHPC-registered?

Yes.

The Pain Relief Clinic’s physiotherapy team consists of experienced, AHPC-registered physiotherapists.

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Why does AHPC registration matter?

It provides an independently verifiable professional credential showing that the treating physiotherapist is appropriately registered in Singapore.

It also supports a properly documented medical and rehabilitation pathway where MediSave or insurance claims may be relevant.

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Does AHPC registration guarantee MediSave?

No.

MediSave eligibility additionally depends on CDMP and provider requirements.

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Can insurance cover the programme?

Possibly, depending on the patient’s individual insurance or employee-benefit policy.

Patients should verify coverage and claim requirements with their insurer.

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Can The Pain Relief Clinic provide insurance documentation?

Where appropriate, the clinic can provide relevant documentation relating to treatment received, including applicable referrals, clinical records, invoices and receipts.

Claim approval remains subject to the insurer.

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Do I need an X-ray?

Not necessarily.

An X-ray is included where clinically indicated.

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Do I have to continue physiotherapy after two sessions?

Not automatically.

Your progress can be reviewed and the next step determined according to your individual needs.

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A Structured Starting Point for Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis treatment can become confusing.

Patients may hear about:

Physiotherapy.

Exercise.

Painkillers.

Injections.

Shockwave.

Weight loss.

Surgery.

Instead of immediately choosing an individual treatment, it can be useful to begin with a structured pathway.

At The Pain Relief Clinic, our approach is:

ASSESS

Doctor assessment and appropriate investigation.

↓

REHABILITATE

Experienced AHPC-registered physiotherapy.

↓

STRENGTHEN

Individualised exercise programme.

↓

ADDRESS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Lifestyle and weight management where appropriate.

↓

REASSESS

Measure whether symptoms and function are improving.

↓

ESCALATE IF NECESSARY

Additional medical, pain-management or specialist options where appropriate.

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Ask About Our $650 Knee Arthritis Rehab Programme

Doctor + AHPC-Registered Physiotherapy + Rehabilitation

2 Doctor Consultations

2 Physiotherapy Sessions

Individualised Rehabilitation Programme

Lifestyle & Weight-Management Counselling

Knee X-Ray Where Clinically Indicated

Medication Where Clinically Indicated

$650

Up to $500 MediSave claimable in 2026*

Cash payment from $150*

*Subject to individual CDMP/MediSave eligibility, remaining annual withdrawal limit, sufficient MediSave balance, applicable co-payment requirements, clinical indication and eligibility of individual services.

If you intend to use MediSave or insurance, inform our team when booking so that the appropriate requirements and documentation can be considered from the beginning.

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About the Reviewer

Reviewed by Dr Terence Tan
Founder, The Pain Relief Clinic
Singapore

Dr Terence Tan provides doctor-led assessment and non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions and works alongside The Pain Relief Clinic’s experienced, AHPC-registered physiotherapy team within an integrated care pathway.

Last reviewed: 3 October 2026

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Medical, MediSave & Insurance Disclaimer

This article provides general information and does not constitute individual medical, financial or insurance advice.

MediSave eligibility depends on prevailing CDMP requirements, individual eligibility, clinical indication, annual withdrawal limits, co-payment requirements and applicable provider accreditation.

AHPC registration confirms professional registration but does not by itself establish MediSave or insurance eligibility.

Insurance reimbursement depends on individual policy terms, exclusions, limits, referral requirements and insurer assessment.