Two floors, one stop and renewed hope for patients

Published on 19 November 2025

Two new centres at NUH aim to provide one-stop care for patients with orthopaedic and nerve-related conditions.

For years after a severe stroke in 2021, Mr Dave Choo’s left arm and wrist remained locked in an awkward position. Despite extensive physiotherapy, he could not straighten his joints or open his fingers easily. Even simple tasks such as washing his hands or trimming his nails became a struggle.

That began to change when he was referred in April 2025 to the new Nerve and Motion Centre at the Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Centre (HRMC), National University Hospital (NUH). The Nerve and Motion Centre is a one-stop service for nerve and motion-related upper-limb conditions that enhances multidisciplinary coordination, reduces unnecessary visits, and ensures patients receive timely, comprehensive care. 

The Centre brings together specialists from multiple disciplines, including Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine, as well as hand occupational therapists, to manage complex nerve-related conditions in both adults and children. This service reduces unnecessary visits, and ensures patients receive timely, comprehensive care. After being assessed by the team, surgery was recommended as the best option for Mr Choo. 

In August 2025, Prof Aymeric Lim, Senior Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, and Chief Executive Officer, NUH, and Dr Ruth Tan, Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, NUH, performed a complex, one-stage combination of surgical procedures to relieve the stroke-related muscle tightness and abnormal posture that had forced Mr Choo’s hand into a clenched position. The operation involved neurectomy, tendon lengthening, and nerve and tendon transfers. Following surgery, the 57-year-old can now stretch out his joints more easily and his pain has eased significantly.

“My helper can uncurl my fingers to clean my hand and cut my fingernails. I hope to eventually be able to regain strength in my left arm and hand,” he said. “With the help of monthly physiotherapy sessions and weekly leg exercises, I can also now stand on my own and walk a short distance using my cane. I hope that I can regain the strength in my left leg to walk and go to the toilet on my own, so that my children don’t need to come and take care of me on their off days.” 

Integrated care in key specialist services

Patients like Mr Choo can now benefit further from the launch of the new Orthopaedic Surgery and HRMC at NUH – a key milestone in the hospital’s redevelopment plan to meet growing healthcare needs in western Singapore. The centres were officially opened on 17 November by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Manpower.

The Orthopaedic Surgery Centre and HRMC are designed as one-stop facilities that offer patients a seamless road to recovery, from consultation and surgery to diagnostics, physical therapy and pharmacy. Previously located at the NUH Main Building, they have now moved to Levels 18 and 19 of the Medical Centre. 

With the key clinical and support services located in close proximity, patients can expect to spend less time being transferred between departments. Walking distances have been cut by nearly half, and clinicians can work more closely with allied health teams to plan and coordinate care. Prescription and medication collection has also been streamlined for greater convenience.

Orthopaedic Surgery Centre

The Orthopaedic Surgery Centre strengthens NUH’s capabilities in managing sports injuries and degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, which affects about one in 10 people overall and one in five aged 60 and above.

It also builds on NUH’s track record of innovation. In 2005, Prof James Hui, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NUH, performed Singapore’s first stem cell treatment for cartilage repair – an early step towards less invasive joint therapies. 

“Our population is staying active for longer, and that means more complex bone and joint needs across all ages,” said Prof Hui, who often treats patients involved in demanding endurance sports such as triathlons and HYROX. “The new Orthopaedic Surgery Centre is designed to more closely integrate our clinical teams, imaging and treatment facilities into one streamlined environment.” 

These improvements aim to shorten recovery times, reduce hospital stays and better support patients’ return to daily activity. “In the old days, patients were typically advised to ‘suffer’ till the age of 55 before joint replacement surgery,” said Prof Hui. “Now, the enhanced Joint Preservation Centre can offer non-surgical alternatives.” 

The Centre houses three specialised units: the Joint Preservation Centre, which offers non-surgical alternatives such as biologic therapies; the NUH Sports Centre, which provides comprehensive care for sports- and exercise-related injuries and conditions; and the National University Spine Institute, which will relocate to Level 18 in 2028. 

Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery Centre

The Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery provides comprehensive care for trauma and degenerative diseases affecting the upper limb, and delivers a wide range of subspecialty services including the Nerve and Motion Centre for complex nerve disorders, congenital and paediatric hand surgery, wrist disorders, minimally invasive joint arthroscopy procedures, and musculoskeletal oncology. It also functions as a regional referral hub for digital, hand and major limb replantation, with microsurgical expertise extending beyond the hand to complex lower limb reconstruction and living-related organ transplantation.

HRMC is recognised for its advanced capability in microsurgical nerve reconstruction, alongside close collaboration with specialists in Neurology and Rehabilitation medicine. “This allows us to play a role in improving upper limb function after complex nerve injuries, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, and spastic conditions like cerebral palsy and stroke,” said Dr Sandeep Sebastin, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, NUH. 

“Many patients come to us with the concern that they will have to undergo major surgery to regain the function of their limbs,” he added. “However, with our integrated teams, we can deliver a full continuum of care, from diagnosis and surgery to rehabilitation and prosthetic support, all within a single site.”

In addition, the HRMC also houses a dedicated ultrasound and injection room, and a day surgery suite equipped with fluoroscopic imaging, allowing procedures to be scheduled earlier.

“HRMC was created to restore what is lost because of injury, disease or degeneration and preserve what is at risk by maintaining upper limb function across all ages helping people stay independent and active” said Dr Sebastin, who noted that Hand Surgery has been an independent speciality in Singapore for over 35 years.

Rehabilitation Centre

Located on Level 19, the Rehabilitation Centre brings together physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and podiatry services in one space, ensuring smooth transitions for patients from both the Orthopaedic Surgery Centre and HRMC. 

This layout makes it easier for patients to arrange same-day appointments with their doctors and allied health professionals (AHPs), while encouraging collaboration between clinicians and AHPs to improve care coordination and outcomes.

The Centre also includes a dynamic indoor running and mobility track for one-stop functional assessments and a dual plinth setup that expands capacity by more than 40 per cent to shorten patient waiting times. 

“Beyond caring for today’s patients, our dedicated clinical education and observation spaces support the training of the next generation of allied health professionals, ensuring continued excellence in care for the future,” said A/Prof Isaac Sia, Head, Department of Rehabilitation, NUH.

In consultation with Prof Aymeric Lim, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery; Dr Ruth Tan, Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery; Prof James Hui, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Dr Sandeep Sebastin, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery; and A/Prof Isaac Sia, Head, Department of Rehabilitation, NUH.