Advocating Through Action:
Dr Lau LL’s Impact in Media, Collaboration, and Spine Care
Dr Lau Leok Lim is a leading orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore, known for his expertise in scoliosis, spinal deformity correction, and patient‑centred 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 highlights his professional activities across media interviews, public features, collaborative exchanges with visiting surgeons, webinars for the surgical community, presentations at major international meetings, and selected notable cases from the operating theatre. To learn more about his clinical background, academic work, and training journey, visit the Meet Dr Lau page.
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 conducted a webinar on Radiation and Scoliosis, sharing strategies to minimize radiation exposure throughout the scoliosis care continuum—from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. The foundation, established in 2008, supports global efforts to improve outcomes for children 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 highlighted innovations such as smart brace technology and EOS low-radiation imaging as key tools in improving diagnostic accuracy and long-term outcomes.
Channel 5: Body and Soul - Aug 2021 (Singapore): Dr Lau LL shared expert advice on protecting spinal health while working from home—covering posture, ergonomics, and preventive strategies. He also demonstrated how nerve blocks and minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat slipped discs, offering viewers a clear understanding of modern, low-impact approaches to spine care.
Channel 8 Morning Express - Aug 2023 (Singapore): Dr Lau LL discussed the rising incidence of back injuries linked to industrial accidents in Singapore. He outlined common injury patterns, treatment options, and preventive strategies—including ergonomic interventions, early screening, and workplace education.
Channel News Asia - Dec 2020 (Singapore): Dr Lau LL introduced 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.
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 and Dr Adam Lau Yiu Chung—for a focused clinical exchange in Singapore. They observed a live anterior scoliosis correction 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 managing a complex case of severe scoliosis in a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The session highlighted multidisciplinary planning, intraoperative precision, and tailored postoperative care.
Feb, 2022 (Singapore): In a presentation attended by several thousand orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Lau LL shared critical perspectives on the limitations of current Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) classification systems. He traced their historical evolution and proposed principles for a future framework that better reflects clinical complexity and guides treatment decisions.
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 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 to share his expertise in the thoracoscopic (endoscopic) approach for managing thoracic curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). His presentation addressed technical nuances, 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.
Reflections from Practice
“Every patient teaches me something new. The privilege of restoring mobility and dignity is what drives me.”
— Dr Lau Leok Lim