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Singapore performs three to four amputations every day due to arterial disease and diabetes. Many are preventable. If you have been told your leg may need to be amputated or if you are experiencing leg pain when walking, non-healing wounds, or cold and numb feet contact Spectrum Surgery urgently. There is almost always an option before amputation.
At Spectrum Surgery, Dr Tay Jia Sheng, FRCS Edinburgh, FAMS, founder of the Vascular and Endovascular Service at Sengkang General Hospital specialises in minimally invasive limb salvage.
Day surgery procedures. No large incisions. Back home the same day in most cases. MediSave accepted.
Dr Tay Jia Sheng is a distinguished vascular surgeon in Singapore, specialising in minimally invasive vascular, endovascular and endovenous procedures. He treats a broad range of conditions including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot ulcers and aortic aneurysms.
As a founding vascular surgeon at Sengkang General Hospital, Dr Tay led one of Singapore’s busiest vascular units with strong outcomes and low complication rates. He is among the few local surgeons skilled in advanced techniques such as minimally invasive vein harvesting and complex endovascular aneurysm repairs.
Outside the operating theatre, he has taught at Yong Loo Lin, Duke-NUS and Lee Kong Chian medical schools. Recognised with awards such as the SingHealth Quality Service Award and COVID-19 Resilience Medal, he now practises at Spectrum Vascular & General Surgery, offering patient-centred care with a focus on minimally invasive treatment.
Dr Tay Jia Sheng is a distinguished vascular surgeon in Singapore, specialising in minimally invasive vascular, endovascular and endovenous procedures. He treats a broad range of conditions including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot ulcers and aortic aneurysms.
As a founding vascular surgeon at Sengkang General Hospital, Dr Tay led one of Singapore’s busiest vascular units with strong outcomes and low complication rates. He is among the few local surgeons skilled in advanced techniques such as minimally invasive vein harvesting and complex endovascular aneurysm repairs.
Outside the operating theatre, he has taught at Yong Loo Lin, Duke-NUS and Lee Kong Chian medical schools. Recognised with awards such as the SingHealth Quality Service Award and COVID-19 Resilience Medal, he now practises at Spectrum Vascular & General Surgery, offering patient-centred care with a focus on minimally invasive treatment.
Peripheral arterial disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked by atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty plaques, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells on the inner artery wall. As the blockage worsens, the muscles and tissues of the lower limb receive insufficient oxygenated blood, particularly during activity.
PAD is sometimes called a ‘leg attack’ analogous to a heart attack, but in the peripheral circulation. The same risk factors that cause coronary artery disease (narrowing of heart arteries) and carotid artery disease (narrowing of neck arteries supplying the brain) cause PAD. Patients with PAD are also at significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Without treatment, PAD follows a predictable progression. The process begins with asymptomatic plaque build-up; progresses to intermittent claudication (cramping pain in the calf or thigh during walking, relieved by rest); then to rest pain (constant pain in the foot and toes at night or when lying down); and in its most severe form, Critical Limb Threatening Ischaemia (CLTI) characterised by non-healing wounds, gangrene, and imminent risk of amputation.
Dr Tay's approach is always limb salvage first. Amputation is a last resort — not a first option. In over 90% of cases where patients are referred for consideration of amputation, endovascular or surgical revascularisation restores sufficient blood flow to allow wound healing and preserve the limb. The key is early referral and timely intervention.
If you have been told amputation may be necessary — seek a second opinion at Spectrum Surgery before proceeding. Contact us urgently for a same-week assessment.
Request a Same-Week AssessmentAt Spectrum Surgery, Dr Tay uses a structured diagnostic approach to confirm PAD, map the extent of disease, and plan treatment. Depending on your presentation, one or more of the following investigations will be performed:
Aortic disease is dangerous because it often develops silently:
Many people have no symptoms until the condition becomes severe. When the wall of the aorta weakens and expands, as in an aortic aneurysm, it can rupture and cause sudden internal bleeding, which is life-threatening.
In an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner wall allows blood to flow between the layers of the artery, disrupting blood supply to vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys. This is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment.
Even smaller aneurysms can grow over time, increasing the risk of rupture. Early detection and regular monitoring are key to preventing complications and ensuring timely intervention.
For early-stage PAD (claudication without rest pain or tissue loss), supervised exercise and medical therapy form the first line:
For moderate to severe PAD, minimally invasive endovascular procedures restore blood flow without the need for open surgery. Most are performed as day surgery under local or light sedation:
For multi-level disease, failed endovascular treatment, or anatomically unsuitable lesions, open surgery provides durable long-term results:
Dr Tay Jia Sheng, FRCS Edinburgh, FAMS, founder of the Vascular and Endovascular Service at Sengkang General Hospital, has helped hundreds of patients avoid amputation through early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment. MediSave accepted. Same-week appointments available at Novena and Farrer Park.
**MediSave claimable. MOH-accredited. No referral needed.
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PAD (peripheral arterial disease) is a blockage in the arteries carrying blood to the legs, causing cramping, non-healing wounds, and limb threat while DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a clot in the veins carrying blood back from the legs, causing swelling and pain. Both conditions require urgent specialist assessment at Spectrum Surgery, where Dr Tay treats both arterial and venous disease.
Yes, many patients with early to moderate PAD are successfully managed with supervised exercise, antiplatelet therapy, statins, and strict diabetes and blood pressure control without any surgical intervention. At Spectrum Surgery, Dr Tay always explores conservative and minimally invasive options first; open surgery is a last resort, not a default.
Yes, vascular procedures for PAD including angioplasty, stenting, and bypass surgery are MediSave-claimable under the MediShield Life schedule in Singapore. Spectrum Surgery's team assists patients with pre-authorisation and insurance claims before their procedure.
PAD-related claudication pain characteristically appears in the calf or thigh during walking and disappears within minutes of stopping to rest. Muscle strain pain persists regardless of activity and often worsens with rest. If your leg pain follows this walking-rest-walking pattern, book an ABI test at Spectrum Surgery; it is a 15-minute non-invasive in-clinic test that confirms or rules out PAD.
Untreated PAD progresses from claudication to rest pain, then to non-healing wounds and gangrene ultimately resulting in limb amputation and significantly elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Singapore performs three to four lower limb amputations every day largely due to untreated PAD and diabetes; early assessment at Spectrum Surgery can prevent this outcome in the majority of cases.
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive day surgery procedure most patients return home the same day and resume light daily activities within one to two days. Full recovery and return to normal activity typically takes one to two weeks, depending on the extent of disease treated.
In the majority of cases, blood flow to the foot can be restored with endovascular treatment (angioplasty or stenting) before irreversible tissue death occurs. Dr Tay achieves limb salvage in over 90% of patients referred for consideration of amputation; the key is early referral to Spectrum Surgery before the wound becomes untreatable.
Anyone over 50 with diabetes, smoking history, hypertension, or high cholesterol should have a baseline ABI test PAD in this group is common, often asymptomatic, and highly treatable when caught early. In Singapore, given the high prevalence of diabetes, screening from age 45 is advisable for anyone with two or more cardiovascular risk factors; contact Spectrum Surgery for a same-week screening appointment.
These conditions primarily affect the arteries, which are blood vessels responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta, the body’s main and largest artery, can be afflicted by various conditions that compromise its function and structural integrity. These conditions can manifest in various ways, from minor symptoms to life-threatening events. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications.
An aortic aneurysm (AA) is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of the aorta where it has weakened. This condition can develop in various parts of the aorta:
Aortic aneurysms can affect anyone but are more common in men over the age of 65. Risk factors include:
In its early stages, an aortic aneurysm may not pose an immediate health risk if it is smaller than scientifically established threshold diameters or shapes. However, as it grows, the aneurysm walls stretch and thin, compromising the aorta’s ability to withstand blood pressure. This increases the risk of rupture, which leads to severe internal bleeding and can be fatal without prompt medical intervention.
Early diagnosis and treatment of aortic aneurysms are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Regular screening, especially for individuals with risk factors, can help detect aneurysms before they become critical. Treatment options vary based on the size and location of the aneurysm and may include:
Understanding aortic aneurysms and their potential risks underscores the importance of early detection and management to maintain cardiovascular health.
A serious condition where the inner layers of the aorta separate due to a tear, allowing blood to flow between them.
Aortic diseases can have severe implications if left untreated. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is crucial to seek expert care immediately. Our team offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services tailored to individual needs.
Treatment is recommended when:
Close management of chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and cholesterol with medications is crucial. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking can also help prevent aortic aneurysms.
For more information about aortic aneurysms, or to schedule a consultation with a vascular surgeon in Singapore, contact our clinic today. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive vascular care and advanced treatment options to ensure your health and well-being.
38 Irrawaddy Road
#10-33
Singapore 329563
Tel: +65 6041 0933
1 Farrer Park Station Road
#08-14 Connexion
Singapore 217562
Tel: +65 6974 8859
HP: +65 8874 0371 (24 hours)
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