YNU hospital launches orthopedic department for seniors

To upgrade the diagnoses and treatments of elderly patients with bone diseases, the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University – located in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province – has established a new Elderly Orthopedic Department, with the opening ceremony held on Aug 16.

The hospital says the department integrates medical services, research and talent training – serving as a research hub for osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases.

It will also play a key role in leading the prevention, treatment, health care and training of medical personnel related to elderly orthopedic diseases in the province.

Located on the 11th floor of the hospital's main inpatient building, the department features standardized wards and independent monitoring rooms. The facility's spacious and well-equipped environment currently offers 27 open beds.

At present, the department's services encompass a range of specialized fields – including elderly traumas, degenerative spinal conditions, bone and joint injuries, osteoporosis, bone and soft tissue tumors and other metabolic bone diseases.

Zhao Gang, a professor and chief physician, has been appointed as the department head.

He has published 62 papers, led or participated in 17 research projects, contributed to four specialist books and held six utility model patents.

Zhao is a member of the National Health Commission's Health Science Popularization Expert Database – and is serving on several professional committees related to osteoporosis and trauma surgery in Yunnan.