Integration of Western and Chinese therapies eases knee osteoarthritis discomfort as patients wait lengthy periods for knee replacement surgeries.
In Hong Kong, public hospitals are providing additional treatment options that blend Western and traditional Chinese medicine for patients suffering from a degenerative knee condition. This approach aims to alleviate pain and decelerate the progression of the condition due to the lengthy wait times for joint replacement surgeries.
The Hospital Authority stated that the pilot program aimed at treating knee osteoarthritis, initiated in May of the previous year, marked their initial combined Traditional Chinese-Western medicine outpatient service. This initiative has since been extended to include Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern, Queen Elizabeth, United Christian, and Yan Chai hospitals.
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Dr. Wun Yiu-chung, who chairs the authority’s Coordinating Committee for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, noted that due to Hong Kong’s aging populace, knee osteoarthritis has become one of the most prevalent orthopedic issues, with instances increasing over time.
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“As the prevalence of this condition increases, it will pose a significant challenge to the healthcare sector. Therefore, our objective is to sustain and enhance the quality of life for senior citizens,” stated Wun, who additionally serves as the head of orthopedics and trauma services at hospitals in the New Territories West region.
numerous beneficial and proven experiences have been achieved in Mainland China through the application of stepped care principles and chronic disease management techniques aimed at assisting patients with knee osteoarthritis across various stages. Following these valuable insights, we developed an integrated service approach.
CEO John Lee Ka-chiu launched the trial program in his policy speech last year as one of the initiatives to boost promotion.
Chinese medicine
Develop and extend comprehensive Chinese-Western integrative medical services to address a broader range of ailments.
As per official data, by March 31 of this year, the orthopedics and trauma specialties at hospitals had a backlog of 33,173 appointments scheduled for joint replacement surgeries due to various conditions such as knee osteoarthritis.
Individuals older than 18 years old who have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis can participate in the voluntary program. Both traditional Chinese and modern Western medical professionals will evaluate these patients to determine their suitability for treatment.
Professionals from both disciplines will develop treatment plans according to each individual’s condition, with a fee of HK$120 charged to the patient for each session.
By the end of March, approximately 280 participants, ranging from 43 to 86 years old, had enrolled in the program.
Wun stated that the present Western medical treatments for the condition include joint replacement surgeries along with nonsurgical approaches like analgesics, physiotherapy, and managing one’s weight.
He mentioned that Chinese medical practices encompassed herbal remedies, acupuncture, and cupping therapy.
tui na
, a type of massage.
Wun stated that although patients suffering from severe knee osteoarthritis may not qualify for the program, the therapy has shown success in assisting individuals with milder conditions and postponing the necessity of joint replacement surgery.
“Throughout the years, we have encountered numerous patients suffering from degenerative knee osteoarthritis. The issue is that these individuals often do not receive sufficient non-surgical treatment options. However, such treatments can actually alleviate their symptoms and enhance their overall quality of life,” he explained.
Wun mentioned that ultimately, the patients do not actually require extensive surgeries and suggested that “they can retain their natural knee joints.”
The authorities have collaborated with Professor Liu Jun, who leads the Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, in formulating this initiative.
Liu mentioned that both Chinese and Western medical institutions in mainland China collaborated to develop treatment protocols for knee osteoarthritis in 2023.
“He stated that they had carried out several studies and gathered insights from specialists, along with an examination of all the therapeutic approaches. The guidelines were formulated according to this evidence.” He further noted that these guidelines saw extensive use across the mainland.
He mentioned that one benefit of Chinese medicine in addressing this issue is that the treatment plans are personalized and rooted in a comprehensive method that considers more than just the affected knee, taking into account other bodily areas as well.
One instance Wun highlighted was a 68-year-old female badminton coach who was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 and has since undergone physical therapy.
He mentioned that she believed the discomfort in her right knee had intensified over the past year and was subsequently directed to the integrated service.
The patient’s condition had improved, and she did not require painkillers or any joint replacement surgery, he added.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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