Dr Lau Leok Lim Portrait

Dr Lau Leok Lim

Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a Special Interest in Spine Surgery Across All Ages

Primary Medical Degrees
  • MBBCh (Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae)
  • BAO (Baccalaureus in Arte Obstetricia)
  • BA (Artium Baccalaureus)
  • Trinity College, University of Dublin (2002)
United States Medical Certification
  • USMLE Steps 1–3 Completed, ECFMG Certified
Specialist Qualification
  • MRCS (Edinburgh) — Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
  • MMed (Orthopaedic Surgery), National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • FRCS (Orthopaedic Surgery) (Edinburgh) — Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery
MOH Specialist Registration
  • Fully registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore
  • Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Registration No. 11302F
  • Registered in June 2011
Subspecialty Fellowships
  • Fellowship in Spine Surgery (Singapore)
  • Fellowship in Paediatric Spine Surgery
    Thomas Jefferson University & Nemours Children's Hospital, USA

About Dr Lau

Dr Lau is a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery subspecialising in Spine Surgery, with a special interest in Paediatric Spine. He has more than 20 years of experience in the medical field. The depth and breadth of his medical training, coupled with more than a decade of experience managing spinal conditions from infants to nonagenarians in a high-volume tertiary teaching hospital, have honed his surgical skills and sharpened his clinical acumen.

Guided by evidence-based medicine and adopting a consultative, patient-centred approach supported by a multidisciplinary team, he places his patients on the road to recovery holistically and expeditiously.

Dr Lau graduated from Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin in 2002 with honours in anatomy and pharmacology. He completed both basic and advanced surgical training in Singapore. He obtained a Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and subsequently became a Member and later a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2011.

Clinical Training & Spine Practice

Dr Lau embarked on subspeciality training in Spine Surgery at the National University Hospital (NUH), where he trained intensively for two years. After being appointed a full-fledged spine surgeon, he pursued further advanced clinical training in Paediatric Spine Surgery at an ACGME-accredited facility at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in the United States.

He is the first fully trained Spine Surgeon who is also fellowship-trained specifically in Paediatric Spine Surgery. Over the past decade, he has continued to practise in this highly specialised field, caring for children and adults with complex spinal conditions.

Dr Lau operating with Dr Suken Shah
Dr Lau operating with Dr Suken Shah at Nemours Children's Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, USA (2013). Dr Shah is the current President of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS).

Prior to entering private practice, Dr Lau ran a busy tertiary spine service. He was one of the highest-volume surgeons in the institution, seeing more than 4,000 patient‑visits per year and performing hundreds of surgeries annually.

He also conducted regular same‑day spinal intervention services, such as nerve root blocks, to help patients achieve prompt relief and to accurately identify the source of their symptoms.

Nerve root injection performed by Dr Lau
Dr Lau performing same‑day spinal injections to alleviate pain or identify the exact pain generator.

Patient Stories & Personal Reflections

Over the years, many of Dr Lau's patients have shared how much they benefitted from his personal touch and the time he invests in understanding their concerns. One particularly meaningful moment in his career was when he was invited to write the foreword for Embrace — a book authored by his patient, Elizabeth, who underwent scoliosis surgery under his care.

In her book, Elizabeth chronicles her scoliosis journey with honesty and courage, offering encouragement to others facing similar challenges. Dr Lau considers it a privilege to have been part of her recovery and to contribute to a guide that continues to inspire patients and families navigating scoliosis.

Elizabeth, author of Embrace
Elizabeth, author of Embrace — a scoliosis guidebook for patients and families.
Scoliosis screening programme team with smart brace and EOS microdose imaging
Team involved in the modern Scoliosis Screening Programme — integrating smart brace technology and EOS microdose imaging to reduce significant curve progression.

Academic Leadership, Research & National Impact

Dr Lau serves as an Assistant Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and is actively involved in teaching and examining duties at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In the academic sphere, he has published more than 20 scientific papers and contributed 9 book chapters, with a primary focus on spinal deformity management, particularly Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

After securing a research grant exceeding SGD 2 million, he was appointed Project Director to optimise the National Scoliosis Screening Programme. Over a decade of coordinated, multi‑pronged efforts — including the adoption of smart brace technology and low‑dose EOS imaging — the programme achieved a significant reduction in surgical eligibility rates while maintaining a favourable cost‑benefit ratio.

In recognition of these outcomes, Dr Lau was invited to present the findings internationally, contributing to global discussions on modern scoliosis screening and early intervention strategies.

His broader professional activities — including 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 — can be viewed in the Dr in Action section.

Awards & Grants

  • Long Service Award – 2018 and 2024
  • American Orthopaedic Association – ASEAN Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellow 2012
  • Public Healthcare Clinician Special Recognition Award – 2013
  • Academic Medicine Developmental Award FY 2013/2014
  • Japanese Pediatric Orthopaedic Association Travelling Fellowship – 2014
  • Health Service Development Grant (HSDP) – SGD 2.3 million (Approved October 2018)
    "Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Screening Programme in the 21st Century – The Triad of Smart Brace, EOS 2D/3D Low Dose Machine and National Scoliosis Database to Improve Clinical Effectiveness"

Professional Societies, Teaching & Surgical Education

Beyond academic work, Dr Lau is actively involved in several professional organisations, including the Singapore Orthopaedic Association, Asia Pacific Spine Society, and the North American Spine Society. He previously served as Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Singapore Spine Society, contributing to national-level spine education and professional development.

As a country delegate and national faculty of AO Spine, he has chaired and lectured in numerous structured courses designed to train budding and early‑career spine surgeons across Singapore and the Asia‑Pacific region. His commitment to mentorship and surgical education has helped shape the next generation of spine specialists.

AO Spine faculty and participants from Singapore and Asia
Dr Lau with AO Spine faculty and regional participants — supporting the development of early‑career spine surgeons across Singapore and Asia.

Surgical Expertise, Techniques & Advanced Technologies

Dr Lau manages the full spectrum of spinal conditions and is proficient in a wide range of surgical techniques for adult spinal pathologies, including minimally invasive surgery (MIS), robotic‑guided procedures, and motion‑preservation strategies.

In paediatric spine surgery, he is recognised for his expertise in growth‑sparing techniques such as vertebral body tethering (VBT), endoscopic deformity correction, and complex large‑curve correction. These approaches aim to preserve mobility while correcting spinal alignment.

He also incorporates advanced technologies such as 3D printing, smart braces, and modern imaging systems to personalise treatment and optimise outcomes for his patients.

Dr Lau performing vertebral body tethering (VBT) surgery
Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) — growth modulation to preserve spinal motion.
Dr Lau performing biportal endoscopic spine surgery
Biportal endoscopic surgery for slipped disc — minimal access, faster recovery.
Dr Lau using microscope in keyhole spine surgery
Keyhole spine surgery under high‑magnification microscopy for precision and nerve protection.

Comprehensive Spine Care Across All Ages

Dr Lau treats a comprehensive range of adult and paediatric spinal conditions, including back and neck pain, prolapsed intervertebral discs, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, myelopathy, spinal tumours, inflammatory and traumatic spinal disorders, scoliosis, kyphosis, and complex deformities.

His expertise extends to spinal conditions associated with skeletal dysplasia, neuromuscular disorders, growth and endocrine abnormalities, and rare genetic or syndromic pathologies. In managing these complex cases, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team — including geneticists, endocrinologists, neurologists, and specialised paediatric services — to ensure holistic, precise, and personalised care for each patient.

Across every stage of life and every level of complexity, Dr Lau's philosophy remains constant — to provide thoughtful, evidence‑based, and compassionate spine care that restores function, preserves mobility, and supports patients in returning to the lives they value.

Peer‑Reviewed Publications

  1. Chua YX, Yang C, Lau LL, Loh SEK. Advantages of a transradial vascular access for embolization of a sacral tumor in a child. The Journal of Vascular Access 2019;20:450-1. PMID: 30608009
  2. Hey HW, Ng LW, Tan CS, et al. Spinal Implants Can Be Inserted in Patients With Deep Spine Infection: Results From a Large Cohort Study. Spine 2017;42:E490-5. PMID: 27333342
  3. Hallinan JTPD, Wu J, Liu C, et al. Exploring the Potential of a Deep Learning Model for Early CT Detection of High-Grade Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression and Its Impact on Treatment Delays. Cancers 2025;17:2180. PMID: 40647478
  4. Hasan MY, Kumar KK, Lwin S, Lau LL, Kumar N. Cervical intradural abscess masquerading as an epidural collection. Global Spine Journal 2013;3:249-52. PMID: 24436877
  5. Hey HW, Wong CG, Lau ET, et al. Differences in erect sitting and natural sitting spinal alignment — insights into a new paradigm and implications in deformity correction. The Spine Journal 2017;17:183-9. PMID: 27562103
  6. Hey HWD, Lau ET, Tan KA, et al. Lumbar Spine Alignment in Six Common Postures: An ROM Analysis With Implications for Deformity Correction. Spine 2017;42:1447-55. PMID: 28240654
  7. Hey HWD, Luo N, Chin SY, et al. The Predictive Value of Preoperative Health-Related Quality-of-Life Scores on Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Scores in Lumbar Spine Surgery. Global Spine Journal 2018;8:156-63. PMID: 29662746
  8. Hey HWD, Tan KA, Neo CS, et al. T9 versus T10 as the upper instrumented vertebra for correction of adult deformity — rationale and recommendations. The Spine Journal 2017;17:615-21. PMID: 27856380
  9. Hey HWD, Tan KLM, Moorthy V, et al. Normal variation in sagittal spinal alignment parameters in adult patients: an EOS study using serial imaging. European Spine Journal 2018;27:578-84. PMID: 29332238
  10. Hey HWD, Teo AQA, Tan KA, et al. How the spine differs in standing and in sitting — important considerations for correction of spinal deformity. The Spine Journal 2017;17:799-806. PMID: 27063999
  11. Hey HWD, Thiam DW, Koh ZSD, et al. Is Intraoperative Local Vancomycin Powder the Answer to Surgical Site Infections in Spine Surgery? Spine 2017;42:267-74. PMID: 28207669
  12. Hey HWD, Wong GC, Chan CX, et al. Reproducibility of sagittal radiographic parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis — a guide to reference values using serial imaging. The Spine Journal 2017;17:830-6. PMID: 28065817
  13. Kumar N, Vellayappan G, Ravikumar N, et al. Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM): Is There a Role in Metastatic Spine Tumor Surgery? Spine 2019;44:E219-24. PMID: 30044368
  14. Kumar N, Tan B, Zaw AS, et al. The role of preoperative vascular embolization in surgery for metastatic spinal tumours. European Spine Journal 2016;25:3962-70. PMID: 26968873
  15. Lau LL, Mahadev A, Hui JH. Common lower limb sport-related overuse injuries in young athletes. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2008;37:315-9. PMID: 18461216
  16. Lim JL, Hey HWD, Kumar N, et al. A 10-Year Radiographic Study Comparing Anterior Versus Posterior Instrumented Spinal Fusion in Patients With Lenke Type 5 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine 2020;45:612-20. PMID: 31770332
  17. Lin S, Hey HWD, Lau ETC, et al. Prevalence and Predictors of Pressure Injuries From Spine Surgery in the Prone Position: Do Body Morphological Changes During Deformity Correction Increase the Risks? Spine 2017;42:1730-6. PMID: 28368987
  18. Liu G, Tan JH, Fung G, et al. A Risk Quantification Reference Table for Progressed Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: An Exact Case Matched Outcomes Analysis. Global Spine Journal 2023;13:2228-38. PMID: 35259977
  19. Low XZ, Furqan MS, Makmur A, et al. Automated Cobb angle measurement in scoliosis radiographs: A deep learning approach for screening. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2024;53:635-7. PMID: 39508697
  20. Ramos MRD, Liu G, Tan JH, et al. Risk factors for surgical complications in the management of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The Spine Journal 2021;21:1176-84. PMID: 33775844
  21. Ruiz JNM, Kandwal P, Lau LL, Liu GKP, Thambiah J, Wong HK. Selective Thoracic Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Comparison of Three Surgical Techniques with Minimum 5-year Follow-up. Spine 2022;47:E272-82. PMID: 34610610
  22. Tan JH, Hey HWD, Wong G, Wong HK, Lau LL. Lumbar Adding-on of the Thoracic Spine After Selective Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Lenke Types 1 and 2 Patients: A Critical Appraisal. Spine 2021;46:E167-73. PMID: 33181768
  23. Tan JHJ, Hallinan JTPD, Lee R, et al. Trends in surgical management of spinal metastases in a Singaporean tertiary referral center: a 17-year retrospective review. Frontiers in Oncology 2023;13:1297553. PMID: 38074672

Book Chapters

  1. Lau LL, Shah SA. Chapter 11: Surgical Technique: Spondylolysis Repair. In: Spondylolisthesis: Diagnosis, Non-Surgical Management, and Surgical Techniques. Wollowick A, Sarwahi V (eds). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-7575-1_11
  2. Grant D, Lau LL, Shah SA. Posterior Osteotomies of the Spine. In: Operative Techniques in Spinal Surgery. Rhee J, Wisel S (eds). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  3. Shah SA, Lau LL. Treatment of Spinal Deformity in Cerebral Palsy. In: The Growing Spine. Akbarnia BA, Yazici M, Thompson GH (eds). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-48284-1_12
  4. Lau LL, MacKenzie W. Spinal Manifestations of Skeletal Dysplasias. In: The Growing Spine. Akbarnia BA, Yazici M, Thompson GH (eds). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-48284-1_20
  5. Lau LL, Shah SA. Posterior Occiput-C2 and C1-C2 Cervical Fusion. In: Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery: Pediatrics. Skaggs DL, Kocher MS (eds). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  6. Lau LL, Wong HK. Thoracoscopic Approaches in Deformities Correction. In: Endoscopic Spine Surgery, 2nd ed. Kim HD, Choi G, Lee SH, Fessler R (eds). Thieme.
  7. Lau LL, Helenius I, Mackenzie WG. Spinal Manifestation of Skeletal Dysplasias. In: The Growing Spine: Management of Spinal Disorders in Young Children, 3rd ed. Akbarnia BA, Thompson GH, Yazici M, El-Hawary R (eds). Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-84393-9_22
  8. Lau LL. Chapter 6: Radiation Hazards in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Management. In: Insights and Innovations from AO Spine Asia Pacific — Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Thieme.
  9. Lau LL, Wong HK. Chapter 18: The Role of Anterior Surgery in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. In: Insights and Innovations from AO Spine Asia Pacific — Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Thieme.
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