Redefining orthopaedic care

A specialist in orthopaedic surgery practising at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, Dr Lim Yi-Jia’s subspecialty is in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand treatment. A highly experienced specialist in knees, feet and ankles, his expertise has seen him treating patients with upper and lower limb trauma, fractures, ligamentous and muscle injuries sustained in sports and motor vehicle accidents.

As the former director of the Shoulder and Elbow Service in Changi General Hospital, he spearheaded the professional development and training of junior and senior doctors in procedures including arthroscopy, joint replacement, trauma surgery and reconstructive surgery of the upper limb.

His efforts have seen him featured in local and international publications in orthopaedic journals.

Dr Lim treats patients in two broad categories, with surgery or a cast. Factors such as displacement, joint involvement, cartilage injury and impact to bones and soft tissues carefully considered before surgery or a cast is indicated. One of his preferred techniques is arthroscopy, which involves creating portals by making small incisions in the skin, which allow the observation of joints using a special camera.

An arthroscope comprises a camera with a special lens to help treat and diagnoses conditions of the joints. Depending on what the problem is, other portals independent of the viewing portal are used to treat certain conditions such as the simple cleaning up of a torn cartilage structure. Dr Lim says that the repair or reconstruction of the certain parts of the joint through the arthroscope is also possible.

Arthroscopy is highly preferred when the condition can be effectively treated using it, as it involves smaller incisions with a much lower risk of infection compared to open surgery. Arthroscopy allows for better visibility and accessibility to the site of the condition and facilitates the treatment as the condition can be viewed directly, enlarged and enhanced for the doctor. It even allows for the viewing of recesses in the joint, which is not possible in open surgery.

Dr Lim Yi-Jia warns that many patients do not realise the severity of their condition until it has taken a turn for the worse. This results in a treatment delay that can lead to the development of serious limb- and life-threatening complications. He advises people to always be on the lookout and take good care of their bodies, citing the seeking of alternative treatment as another reason treatment might be delayed.

Dr Lim actively works to improve himself, involving himself in research to enhance his knowledge and improve his quality of patient care. His efforts have seen him featured in local and international publications in orthopaedic journals. Dr Lim has also been invited to speak in worldwide conferences. He is an active faculty participant in both local and regional upper limb training courses for surgeons. An avid educator, he believes becoming a doctor takes passion and hard work.

He cites the long hours of training to be a doctor as the toughest part of working in the medical field. Dealing with different types of people is always a challenge, and dealing with a poor outcome in a difficult patient is an even bigger challenge. However, Dr Lim takes this all in his stride, believing it is part and parcel of life, the same advice he would give to young aspiring doctors-to-be. He believes problems and challenges come with almost any job, and he would not give up what he does now.

For Dr Lim, his biggest motivation to work is seeing a patient recover well after their treatment. He accepts that sometimes, he cannot make people better, as Western medicine has its limitations. In the everyday life of a surgeon, one will experience ups and downs, he describes. He remembers his first surgery, among a number of other first times in this field. While watching a patient he has treated recover well and come back to thank him always fills him with a sense of elation, he reminds himself that complications are always possible. Should they happen, he will take three steps back and seriously look at how he can avoid future occurrences.

Dr Lim Yi-Jia believes in honesty with his patients, and strives to give them an honest prognosis. He is loath to hide information from them about their conditions and the options, or complications that can occur depending on the type of treatment. He feels that informing the patient thoroughly about the various aspects of the treatment they are seeking, and giving them the confidence to move forward, is invaluable. He believes in diagnosing and advising a patient, and never forcing anyone into a surgery or treatment. Offering moral support when needed, his work ethic involves helping patients with their decision-making and to attain the best outcome possible given whatever limitations there may be.

Dr Lim Yi-Jia is an established Consultant Orthopaedic and Upper Limb surgeon who has experience in General Orthopaedic and Orthopaedic Trauma surgery. Dr Lim has had a special interest in Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand surgery for more than 10 years, and he performs procedures including arthroscopy, joint replacement, trauma surgery and reconstructive surgery of these regions. He has also a particular interest in the treatment of diabetic foot problems, which is extremely common in Singapore and South-East Asia. As an Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Lim has also helped many patients with fractures, ligamentous and muscle injuries sustained in sports and motor vehicle accidents.

Ortholimb Bone And Joint Surgery Pte Ltd.
Gleneagles Hospital
#07-19, 6 Napier Road
Singapore 258499
T: +65-6479 7372
F: +65-6479 7378
24-hour Line: +65-851 32324
www.ortholimb.com
drlimyijia@gmail.com