Advocating Through Action:
Dr Lau LL’s Impact in Media, Collaboration, and Spine Care
Dr Lau Leok Lim is a leading spine surgeon in Singapore, known for his expertise in scoliosis, spinal deformity correction, and patient-centered care. Having presented at multiple regional and international spine meetings, he has shared insights with surgeons across Asia, Europe, and North America. Moving with the times, Dr Lau has embraced digital patient education to improve clarity, accessibility, and trust for patients and referrers alike. This page documents his journey through media features, visiting surgeon exchanges, major presentations, and notable cases.
🎙️ Media Interviews & Public Features
Kiss FM The Big Show – Nov 6, 2024:Dr Lau LL was invited as a guest on The Big Show on Kiss FM, where he shared expert insights on spinal conditions affecting children, including early diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term care. The segment was hosted by Angelique Teo, Glenn Ong, and The Flying Dutchman, and aimed to raise public awareness on pediatric spine health in an engaging and accessible format.
Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation: Dr Lau LL was invited by the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation to conduct a webinar on Radiation and Scoliosis, where he shared strategies to minimize radiation exposure throughout the scoliosis care continuum—from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. The Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation, established in 2008, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing pediatric spine research and education. In collaboration with the Harms Study Group, it supports global efforts to improve treatment outcomes for children and adolescents with scoliosis and complex spinal deformities.
CNA938 – Aug, 2023 (Singapore): In a feature interview with CNA host Daniel Martin, Dr Lau LL discussed advancements in scoliosis screening programmes and emphasized the importance of early detection in reducing surgical intervention rates. He championed a more effective national screening strategy, highlighting innovations such as smart brace technology and the EOS low-radiation imaging system as key tools in improving diagnostic accuracy and long-term outcomes.
Channel 5: Body and Soul – Aug 2021 (Singapore) Dr Lau LL was invited as a featured speaker on Channel 5, where he shared expert advice on protecting spinal health while working from home—covering posture, ergonomics, and preventive strategies. He also demonstrated how a nerve block and minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat a slipped disc, offering viewers a clear understanding of modern, low-impact approaches to spine care.
Channel 8 Morning Express – Aug 2023 (Singapore) Dr Lau LL was invited to share his expert perspective on the increasing incidence of back injuries linked to industrial accidents in Singapore. He outlined common injury patterns, discussed available treatment options—including surgical and non-surgical approaches—and emphasized the importance of preventive strategies in the workplace. These included ergonomic interventions, early screening, and education to reduce injury rates and improve long-term spine health among workers.
Channel News Asia – Dec 2020 (Singapore) Dr Lau LL was featured on CNA for introducing a nationwide scoliosis screening initiative aimed at improving early detection and reducing surgical eligibility rates among teens and tweens. He highlighted the integration of advanced tools—including the Smart Brace and EOS microdose imaging system—as part of a more precise, low-radiation approach to identifying spinal curvature earlier and managing it more effectively. Would you like to expand this into a media module with air date, embedded video, and key public health takeaways? I can help format it for your outreach and education archive.
🌍 Collaborative Exchange: Visiting Surgeons & Webinars for the Surgical Community
Sept 2 ,2025 (Singapore):Dr Lau LL welcomed two esteemed spine surgeons from Hong Kong—Dr King-lok Liu, Honorary Assistant Professor, and Dr Adam Lau Yiu Chung, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong—for a focused clinical exchange in Singapore. As part of the visit, they observed a live case of anterior scoliosis correction performed at Gleneagles Hospital, with in-depth discussion on approach selection, instrumentation, and postoperative planning.
Aug, 2022 (Singapore) In this webinar with the wider orthopaedic community, Dr Lau LL presented his surgical approach and perioperative strategy for achieving a successful outcome in a complex case of severe scoliosis in a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The case was complicated by significant medical challenges, including compromised respiratory function, and highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary planning, intraoperative precision, and tailored postoperative care.
Feb, 2022 (Singapore) In a presentation attended by several thousand orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Lau LL shared his critical perspectives on the limitations of current classification systems for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). He traced the historical evolution of scoliosis classification frameworks and proposed key principles for a future system—one that better reflects clinical complexity, guides treatment decisions, and improves long-term outcomes.
🎓 Presentations at Major Meetings
Asia Pacific Spine Society 2025 Annual General Meeting: Dr Lau LL shared his clinical experience and long-term outcome data on Lenke 5 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, offering insights into surgical strategy and postoperative progression. He also chaired a focused session on Early Onset Scoliosis, guiding discussions on age-specific management and evolving treatment paradigms.
AO course Singapore – March 30, 2025:Dr Lau LL contributed expert insights on Vertebral Body Tethering during a recent spine symposium, highlighting its evolving role in scoliosis management. He also chaired multiple sessions, facilitating dynamic discussions among early- and mid-career surgeons on surgical technique, decision-making, and long-term outcomes.
ASSI-APSS – Nov, 2023:Dr Lau LL was invited as a speaker at the conference to share his expertise in the thoracoscopic (endoscopic) approach for managing thoracic curvatures in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). His presentation addressed the technical nuances of this minimally invasive method, while candidly discussing its challenges and pitfalls—including visualization limitations, instrumentation complexity, and patient selection criteria.
🔍 Notable Cases from the Operating Theatre
Severe Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis – Lenke 6 Curve
A 22-year-old male presented with long-standing, neglected scoliosis. The most pronounced curvature—measuring 90 degrees on standing radiographs—was located in the lumbar spine, the region primarily responsible for flexion and extension. Given the severity and location of the deformity, a strategic 2-stage surgical approach was employed to achieve substantial correction while preserving key motion segments. Postoperatively, the patient retained functional flexion-extension capacity, underscoring the value of staged intervention in complex lumbar curves.
Double-Curve Scoliosis in a 12-Year-Old: Non-Fusion Correction with Vertebral Body Tethering
A 12-year-old girl presented with 40-degree double curves and was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Given her substantial remaining growth potential, she underwent a non-fusion correction using Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). Over the course of one year, her spinal curves showed progressive improvement with favorable alignment. Long-term follow-up remains essential to assess continued growth modulation and durability of correction.
Pre-op Clinical
Pre-op Radiograph
1-Year Post-op X-ray
1-Year Post-op Clinical
🩺 Reflections from Practice
“Every patient teaches me something new. The privilege of restoring mobility and dignity is what drives me.”
— Dr Lau Leok Lim