The Department of Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China (formerly the First Affiliated Hospital of Hengyang Medical College) was established in the 1970s by Professor Xi Guangqing, then the head of the department. It was one of the first disciplines independently developed at the formerly the First Affiliated Hospital of Hengyang Medical College. In 1993, the department officially began enrolling master’s degree candidates,in 1998, it was designated as a key clinical discipline by Hengyang Medical College, becoming one of the first clinical disciplines authorized to grant Master’s degrees in Clinical Medicine at the institution. In 2019, it was approved to grant doctoral degrees in Clinical Medicinesuccessfully established a postdoctoral research station. Currently, the department has three doctoral supervisors17 master supervisors,has trained more than 300 postgraduate students specializing in orthopedics to date.
In 2015, relying on the strong clinicalresearch foundation of orthopedics, the Institute of BoneJoint Diseases was officially established, with Professor Chen Zhiwei serving as Director,Dr. Liu JianghuaDr. Zou Mingxiang as Deputy Directors. The Institute adheres to the mission of deeply integrating clinicalbasic research, committed to promoting the translation of scientific research achievementsclinical practice,building an interdisciplinary medical research platform. In 2015, the Department of Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China was recognized as one of the first “Hunan Provincial Key Clinical Specialties”,became the “Hunan Provincial Demonstration Base for Minimally Invasive Spinal Clinical Medical Technology” and the “Hunan Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Spine”. In 2018, it was approved by the National Health Commission as a pilot hospital for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in orthopedics. In 2020, it was approved as an “Extraprovincial Clinical Teaching Base for Orthopedic Specialist Nurses” by the Chinese Nursing Association. In 2021, it was approved as a “National Health Commission Training Base for Standardized ManagementSuturing of Orthopedic Soft Tissue”. In 2022, it was approved as a discipline under the National Clinical Key Specialty Cultivation Program,for three consecutive years has ranked among the Top 100 Orthopedic Specialty ScienceTechnology Influence Nationwide, entering the top three in Hunan Province.
The department currently consists of 13 subspecialties, each led by a designated head: Joint Surgery (Chen Zhiwei), Sports Medicine (Fan Weijie), Hand Microsurgical RepairReconstruction (Zhang Jian), Bone DiseasesBone Tumors (Cui Juncheng), FootAnkle Surgery (Huang Xuanhuai), Pediatric Orthopedics (Yang Zhijun), Hip Trauma (Yin Ke), Trauma (Xiang Jie), Spinal Tumors (Yang Mingzhi), Spinal Deformities (Yan Yiguo), Spinal Infections (Wang Cheng), Spinal Ligaments (Yao Nüzhao),Craniovertebral Junction Surgery (Ouyang Zhihua). The department strives to achieve comprehensivecoordinated development in clinical practice, research,teaching. At present, the department has 68 physicians, including 30 with doctoral degrees (44%)29 with master’s degrees (43%); among them are 14 chief physicians (21%), 28 associate chief physicians (41%), and 17 attending physicians (25%).
The Institute of BoneJoint Diseases places equal emphasis on basicclinical researchfocuses on promoting the translation of scientific research achievementsclinical applications. It has reached a leading domestic level in areas such as spinal cord injurybonejoint degeneration. Digital orthopedics is one of its specialized focuses, with remarkable achievements, including the independent development of the first national Class III medical device registration certificate for a 3D-printed titanium cervical spine mesh based on Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. The institute also possesses the capability for visualized preoperative planningprecise surgical navigation. In addition, it serves as a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) drug clinical trial baseis equipped with comprehensive research platformsadvanced facilities in molecular biology, cell biology,biomechanics. With a well-established organizational structurecontinuous introduction of advanced instruments, the institute is dedicated to developinga first-class laboratory in China.
Team:
1. Chen Zhiwei, PhD, Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
Dr. Chen is a discipline leader of the “20-200-500 Talent Project” of the Hunan Provincial Health Commissiona leading medical talent under the Hunan Furong Program for Health Care. He currently serves as the Director of the Orthopedic Centerthe Director of the Institute of Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China. He has led one National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program) project, more than 10 projects at provincialministerial levels,achieved one provincial-level research outcome. He has been granted six national patents, served as chief editor of two monographs,contributed totranslated eight orthopedic monographs. He has published more than 50 academic papers in internationally renowned journals, including Advanced Science and other authoritative journals. He also serves as a peer reviewer for Acta Biomaterialia and Chinese Journal of Traumatology.
Research Interests: Basicclinical research on osteoarthritis, artificial intelligencedigital orthopedics,basicclinical research on footankle disorders.
E-mail: 16513157@qq.com
2. Yan Yiguo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
Dr. Yan is the Director of the Spine Surgery Ward Ia key talent of the “20-200-500 Talent Project” of Hunan Province. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine from the University of South China in 2002, obtained his master’s degree in 2007 from the same university,earned his doctorate from Central South University in 2015 under the mentorship of Professor Hu Jianzhong. From 2011 to 2012, he conducted further studies at the University of PittsburghSwedish Hospital in the United States. In 2016, he joined the postdoctoral research station at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital under the mentorship of Professor Yuan Wen. He has led 18 research projects, including a National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program) project,has published over 30 academic papers, including 13 SCI-indexed papers, with the highest impact factor reaching 15.9. He has been granted seven national patents, contributed totranslated four books,supervised 23 graduate students to completion.
3. Zhou Jun, M.D., Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral/Postdoctoral Supervisor
Dr. Zhou is a National Exemplary Individual in the National Health System, Young Backbone Talent of the High-Level Health Talent Program of Hunan Province,Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China. He serves as a Member of the Rehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Member of the Pain Rehabilitation Committee of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, Member of the Rehabilitation Assessment Committee of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, Member of the Rehabilitation Assessment Group of the Physical MedicineRehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Vice President of the Hunan Rehabilitation Medical Association,Chairman of the Pain Rehabilitation Committee of the Hunan Rehabilitation Medical Association. His current work focuses on basicclinical research in orthopedic rehabilitation.
4.Xiang Jie, M.D., Associate Chief Physician, Masters Supervisor
Dr. Xiang is the Deputy Director of the Orthopedic Center, Director of the Trauma Orthopedics Subspecialty,Teaching Director of the Orthopedic Base. He holds positions as a Youth Member of the FootAnkle Surgery Group of the Orthopaedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Member of the Bone Injury Committee of the China Medicine Education Association,Guest Editorial Board Member of the Chinese Journal of Traumatic Orthopedics. He received advanced training in Trauma Orthopedics at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, UK,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. He has been awarded the Third Prize of the Huaxia Medical ScienceTechnology Awardthe Second Prize of the Guangdong Provincial ScienceTechnology Progress Award. His specialties include the treatment of complex multiple traumatic fractures, pelvicacetabular fractures, minimally invasive surgical techniques,management of bone infectionsbone defects.
5. Zhang Jian, Chief Physician, M.D., Associate Professor, Masters Supervisor
Dr. Zhang is the Deputy Director of the Orthopedic CenterDirector of the HandFoot Surgery Department. He currently serves as Standing Council Member of the Hunan Society of Biomedical EngineeringMember of the Hengyang Municipal Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He has applied microsurgical techniques to treat complex conditions in orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, handfoot surgery,general major orthopedics. He has participated in the research project "DevelopmentClinical Application of a Novel Series of Non-Fusion Fixation Systems for Thoracolumbar Spine"received the First Prize of Provincial ScienceTechnology Progress Award (ranked in the top five). As first author, he has published 35 core journal papers13 SCI-indexed papers, including 1 ESI highly cited paper. He has led two teaching reform projects at University of South China, three projects under the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation,one key project jointly supported by provincialmunicipal funds.
6. Yao Nüzhao, Ph.D. in Orthopedics, Chief Physician, Master Supervisor
Dr. Yao is the Vice President (Vice Chairman) of the Western Returned Scholars Association (Overseas Chinese Federation) of University of South China,holds memberships in the Education Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the SpineSpinal Cord Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Spine Medicine Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine,the Limb Disability Rehabilitation Committee of the China Association of Rehabilitation of the Disabled, as well as the Spine Professional Committee of the Hunan Association of Integrative Medicine. He specializes in the diagnosistreatment of cervical, shoulder, lumbarleg pain caused by spinal fracturesdegenerative conditions. He has led five research projects at provincial/ministerial levels, published over 20 papers,co-edited two professional books.
7. Dr. Cui Juncheng, PhD, Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Master Supervisor, Postdoctoral Mentor
Dr. Cui is a youth committee member of the Osteoporosis Group of the Chinese Orthopedic Association,deputy leader of the Bone Disease Group of the Orthopedic Professional Committee of the Hunan Rehabilitation Medical Association, among other positions. In 2015, he visited the Johanna Joint Center in Germany for advanced studies. In 2019, Dr. Cui was awarded the China Scholarship Council’s Overseas Study Programspent a year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he focused on basic research in bone tumors. He has led projects including the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation, the Innovation Guidance Project of the Hunan Provincial Department of ScienceTechnology,the Major Clinical Special Project of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission,has published more than 10 SCI-indexed papers. Dr. Cui was also involved in a project which won the Third Prize of the Hunan Provincial ScienceTechnology Progress Award.
8. Wang Cheng, Ph.D., Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Master Supervisor
Dr. Wang is the Director of the Spinal Infection Specialty at the Orthopedic CenterDeputy Director of the General Surgery Department. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, USA,the University of South Wales, UK. He is recognized as a High-Level Talent (Municipal Leading Talent) in Hengyang. He holds multiple academic appointments, including Committee Member of the Spine Medicine Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative MedicineVice Chairperson of the Spine Medicine Committee of the Hunan Association of Integrative Medicine. He has led several provincialdepartmental-level projects, including the Hunan Provincial Key R&D Program. As firstcorresponding author, he has published over 20 papers in authoritative journals in the fieldhas co-edited two professional books as deputy editor (or translator).
9. Ouyang Zhihua, Ph.D. in Surgery, Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Master Supervisor
Dr. Ouyang serves as the Leader of the Upper Cervical Spine Team in the Orthopedic Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South Chinawas a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. His academic roles include Committee Member of the Endoscopic Spinal Fusion Group of the Orthopedic Minimally Invasive Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine, Youth Member of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of the Orthopaedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Standing Committee Member of the Spinal Injury Committee of the Hunan Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Association, Committee Member of the Spine Surgery Committee of the Hunan Association of Integrative Medicine, Committee Member of the Orthopedic Injury Rehabilitation Committee of the Hunan Rehabilitation Medical Association, Committee Member of the Spinal Health Branch of the Hunan Health Services Association,Youth Member of the SpineSpinal Cord Committee of the Hunan Rehabilitation Medical Association.
10. Zou Mingxiang, Associate Professor, Attending Physician, Master Supervisor
Dr. Zou is a recipient of the Hunan Provincial Outstanding Youth Fund, Huxiang Young Talents Award, Hunan Provincial ‘Hejian’ (Young ScienceTechnology Professional) Talent, Young Key Teachers of Hunan Provincial CollegesUniversities,Member of the InnovationTranslation Group of the Orthopaedic Professional Committee of the Hunan Medical Association. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for Research at the Orthopedic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China. His long-term research focuses on spinal tumors (chordoma)intervertebral disc degeneration. He has led one national-level project, two projects at provincial-ministerial levels,one project at municipal/department levels. He has co-edited one academic bookpublished over 30 papers in internationally renowned journals such as Neuro-Oncology, Advanced Science, Journal for Immuno Therapy of Cancer,Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
11. Liu Jianghua, Attending Physician, Master Supervisor
Dr. Liu is an Attending Physician at the Orthopedic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South Chinaa Masters Supervisor. He is recognized as a High-Level Talent (Category D) in Hengyang. He graduated from Xiangya Hospital of Central South Universitypursued advanced studies at the former Navy 401 Hospital in 2014. He has published several articles in top international journals including Advanced Science, Materials Today Bio, AgingDisease,Disease Models & Mechanisms. He has led one General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinaone General Program of the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation.
12. Luo Xuling, Assistant Research Fellow, Full-Time Researcher at the Orthopedic Research Center
Ms. Luo has led one Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation project. She has participated in several nationalprovincial research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation, the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation,Hunan Provincial ScienceTechnology Plan projects. As the first authorcorresponding author, she has published 10 SCI-indexed papers in journals such as Free Radical BiologyMedicine and Journal of Cellular Physiology. She was also involved in a project which won the Third Prize of the Hunan Provincial ScienceTechnology Progress Award.