A young athlete’s scoliosis journey

A scoliosis diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of your dreams – especially with the right treatment such as a brace or other options available in Singapore. DR LAU LEOK LIM, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Partners, shares an inspiring story of a young athlete who proved exactly that!

Primary Six is a challenging year for students in Singapore. Teachers race to complete the syllabus, leaving minimal revision time before the PSLE, a high-stakes exam crucial for secondary school placement. For precocious tweens who excel in music or sports, the Direct School Admission (DSA) route offers an alternative pathway with its own hurdles: portfolios, trials, and interviews, with students competing for limited spaces.

Vera discovered her spark in sports. Genetically well endowed with heigh – both her parents are tall – she gravitated towards netball. By Primary Four, she had grown rapidly, becoming the tallest in her class. But just as things seemed to be going well, her family noticed something unusual – one of Vera’s shoulders was noticeably higher than the other. A prompt appointment confirmed the diagnosis: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of severe magnitude. Her spine was growing sideways, twisting into an S-shape. The curves even made her shorter than she ought to have been.

Scoliosis treatment in Singapore

Vera’s scoliosis treatment began immediately with a rigid brace, usually prescribed for curves between 20 and 40 degrees. Success required discipline: at least 13 hours of wear per day. Vera tried her best, but her competitive streak often kept her longer on the court than in the brace. At her follow-up, the curves had progressed aggressively to 65 degrees. She had just entered Primary Six.

The news struck like a bolt from the blue, jeopardising her plans for both DSA and PSLE. Surgery was inevitable, but its timing posed a dilemma. To operate before the PSLE risked compromising her exam preparation. To delay meant facing higher medical risks. This is when Vera and her family came to me for consultation, and I tried to help them make their decision.

They chose health first, and the scoliosis surgery went ahead as planned. The first few days were not as difficult as Vera had imagined. Her resilience shone through, and our team placed her on an accelerated rehabilitation pathway. Her parents became her greatest cheerleaders, celebrating each small win. Vera was discharged just four days after surgery.

During her recovery, teachers and classmates rallied around her. Intensive Zoom lessons and mailed homework kept her academically on track. Supported by her medical team, family and friends, Vera transitioned back to school swiftly and smoothly.

Overcoming scoliosis and back where she belongs

Surgery did not dampen her sporting spirit. Three months post-operation, she resumed training, starting with shooting drills before progressing to full sessions. Her skill impressed selectors, earning her a spot in netball via DSA. She also excelled academically, topping her class in the PSLE and securing a place in the express stream.

Like the interval between quarters in a netball game, Vera’s journey with scoliosis was marked by pauses and jolts. Yet none of these setbacks stopped her from chasing her dream. Her steely determination carried her through, delivering a triple victory: in health, in academics and in keeping her passion for netball alive. With resilience as her backbone, she rose higher still, leading her team to triumph at the National School Games during secondary school.

About the orthopaedic surgeon

Dr Lau Leok Lim is a leading spine surgeon in Singapore known for his expertise in scoliosis, spinal deformity correction and patient-centred care.

#03-37 Annexe Block, Gleneagles Hospital,
6A Napier Road Call & WhatsApp
8766 3602 | drlauspineclinic@gmail.com
drlaull.com | orthohandpartner.com

This article on scoliosis and treatment options in Singapore such as braces first appeared in the January 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version free now.

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