Any athlete dedicated to high-performance sport knows the body has limits. A trip to the sports medicine doctor is inevitable eventually. This is a truth that sports doctor DR GEN LIN FOO knows only too well. Find out how this exact experience led him to a career in orthopaedic surgery and to opening a sports clinic specialising in injuries.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career journey.
I love sport! Swimming and cross-country races at school helped me appreciate the thrill of performing at my best. As it happens, sport also initiated my first brush with orthopaedic surgery; I required knee surgery (twice!) after getting injured during sport. The experience led me to pursue a specialty that combines my passion for sport and the goal of helping fellow athletes return to their game.
After medical school in Cambridge and London in the UK, I did my specialist orthopaedic training in Singapore. I had the opportunity to do a fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand – honing skills in advanced sports and hip preservation surgery in one of the sportiest nations worldwide. Since returning to Singapore in 2021, I’ve had the privilege of working with athletes starting their sporting journey, and those at their peak.
You’re an avid sportsman to this day; what are your events of choice?
Running and multi-sport has dominated my time, though I find myself enjoying anything sport related. This year, I completed my final Abbot World Marathon Majors in Chicago and collected my Six Star Medal. I was also fortunate enough to be part of the national duathlon team (running and cycling) in the 2019 South East Asian (SEA) Games. I dabble in triathlon, too: why suck at one sport when you can suck at three?
You’ve just opened the doors on your own space. What’s your vision for Apex Sports Clinic?
I started my new orthopaedic surgery clinic at i12 Katong to provide an accessible and holistic space for athletes. My goal is to help athletes navigate injury in a person centred and supportive manner. As a sports medicine doctor I work very closely with sports physiotherapists, personal trainers and other specialists, some of whom are based just next door at Core Collective. Having access to the whole ecosystem is a crucial part of ensuring athletes get optimal treatment for their injuries.
What are the common injuries you treat in your sports clinic?
Knee and shoulder injuries occur frequently in athletes, whether it’s endurance or contact sport. However, I’m noticing more patients with hip-related injuries, in part due to higher levels of participation in demanding disciplines, including ballet and gymnastics.
Are there any cutting-edge orthopaedic surgery treatments we should know about?
Biologics, for example platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem-cell (SC) therapies, are increasingly used in the treatment of sports injuries. They are simple procedures that can be performed in clinic with little downtime and minimal risk. There’s a growing pool of scientific evidence indicating PRP’s benefits as a nonoperative treatment for improving healing.
Any tips to prevent injuries?
No magic here, unfortunately! Always take a sensible approach to exercise: don’t ramp up your training duration or intensity too quickly. Also, try not to ignore any persistent aches and pains – best to get it checked to make sure it’s nothing serious!
Scan the QR code to book a consultation with Dr Foo at Apex Sports Clinic
#03-03/04 i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road
8321 9004 | apexsportsclinic.sg
This article first appeared in the February 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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