CUHK 
P R E S S   R E L E A S E
Chinese Version 
 
 26 April 1999
 
“CCUHK Opens Advanced Orthopaedic Learning Centre to Meet Increasing Needs
 
The Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong has established the territory's first Orthopaedic Learning Centre at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin to train professionals to utilize new technology in the management of various musculoskeletal conditions. 

Open today, the Orthopaedic Learning Centre is established with generous donations from Li Ka Shing Foundation Ltd, Estate of Mr Tang Yuk Wai and Stryker-Howmedica International. 

The United Nation has designated 1999 as "International Year of the Older Person".  Hong Kong is facing the problem of an aging population. Currently, the proportion of the population above the age of 60 is around 10% and is increasing steadily.  Aging is often associated with orthopaedic problems such as: osteoporosis leading to fractures with its attending morbidity and mortality, degenerative arthritis and spinal disorder.  In 1998 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, 27% of patients admitted to the Orthopaedic Department were over 60 years old. 

However, aging in the musculoskeletal system should not be a deterrent to an active life style.  With the advent of new technology and expertise, advanced orthopaedic care can be provided for these conditions: 

1. stable fixation of hip fracture to allow the elderly patients to mobilize earlier and to adjust to their activity of 
   daily living; 
2. total joint replacement mainly for hip and knee to enable restoration of function; 
3. spinal instrumentation for degenerative spinal disorders; 
4. minimal invasive surgeries such as arthroscopic surgery to maintain function and allow elderly people to 
   lead an active life style. 

Equipped with the latest information technology and a bioskill laboratory, the Orthopaedic Learning Centre is an innovative and comprehensive training centre which highlights: 

1. hands-on bioskill training for orthopaedic surgeons in specialty areas, such as joint replacement, trauma, 
    arthroscopic surgery, microsurgery, spinal surgery and other essential orthopaedic procedures. 
2. with a closed-circuit video connection to the operating room, trainees can observe and assimilate the 
    live-surgery experience. 
3. provision of telemedicine facilities for orthopaedic learning to be linked with and delivered to other 
    international centres. 
4. the extensive intranet and internet development as the ultimate source of information retrieval in the 
    orthopaedic information superhighway.