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“Doctor, will I be able to stand again?” This was Mr. Zhang’s most urgent question when he entered the Orthopedics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. A failed femoral fracture surgery years ago resulted in Mr. Zhang’s knee joint becoming stiff and deformed, with complex issues such as medullary cavity obstruction and bone deformation making traditional surgical options ineffective. However, Director Li Jie and Professor Zhang Zhen’s team at the Joint Surgery Department customized a “millimeter-level” precise solution by combining artificial intelligence 3D reconstruction with 3D printing technology. By the third day post-surgery, Mr. Zhang was able to achieve a 30-degree flexion and extension of his knee joint.
Such rare and complex cases are not unique in the Orthopedics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. The model of “precise segmentation + intelligent empowerment” has allowed the department to exceed 7,000 surgeries annually. The perfect dance between artificial intelligence and clinical experience marks the entry of orthopedic surgery in the Liaonan region into an era of intelligent precision.
Seventy Years of Dedication
Establishing a High Ground for Orthopedic Medicine in Northeast China
As a national clinical key specialty, the Orthopedics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University safeguards the skeletal health of countless patients with excellent medical technology and profound humanistic care. It was recognized as a key discipline in the Liaoning Provincial Health System in 1997 and was awarded the status of a national clinical key specialty in 2013.
Throughout its more than seventy years of development, the Orthopedics Department has always adhered to the philosophy of “technology-driven and innovation-enhanced.” From traditional orthopedic surgeries to today’s intelligent precision medicine, every step has been at the forefront of the industry. Director Li Jie introduced that as early as the 1990s, the department was the first in the country to carry out minimally invasive spinal surgery, revolutionizing traditional treatment models with the concept of “solving big problems with small incisions.” In 1993, the microsurgery team successfully completed a replantation surgery for ten completely severed fingers, creating a miracle in the field of microsurgery in Northeast China at that time. In 2010, it became one of the first three clinical training bases for arthroscopy in the country, pioneering multi-site arthroscopic techniques.
Subspecialty Development
Creating a Comprehensive Orthopedic Diagnosis and Treatment System
In the pursuit of extreme precision and efficiency in orthopedic medicine, the Orthopedics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University has taken the lead in the industry by completing detailed subdivisions of subspecialties. Currently, it has established a subspecialty system that includes spinal surgery, joint surgery, trauma orthopedics, hand microsurgery, sports medicine, foot and ankle surgery, bone tumors and metabolism, and wound repair.
Each subspecialty is led by experienced senior experts who have been deeply involved in their fields for many years, forming distinct technical characteristics. The department was the first in the country to carry out minimally invasive spinal surgery, including posterior and lateral endoscopic discectomy and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion techniques, using “minimally invasive” techniques to alleviate patients’ spinal pain, leading the nation in technical standards; joint replacement surgeries have been refined over nearly 40 years, with each replacement being a combination of precision and artistry, achieving advanced levels in quantity, difficulty, and effectiveness; trauma fracture internal fixation techniques are seamlessly integrated with international frontiers, showcasing extraordinary strength through innovative results such as minimally invasive osteosynthesis and the four-column classification theory for Pilon fractures.
AI Navigation
Opening a New Era of Precise Treatment for Knee Joints
In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, the Joint Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University uses a stepwise treatment approach as a beacon to illuminate the path to recovery for patients. Professor Zhang Zhen explained that knee osteoarthritis is like a silent killer that erodes the joints, commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals, causing countless patients to suffer from pain while walking or standing, severely affecting their quality of life. The Joint Surgery Department adheres to international cutting-edge concepts, integrating artificial intelligence technology and 3D printing technology to meticulously customize intelligent, precise, and personalized treatment plans based on the severity of the patient’s condition, especially in knee preservation treatments such as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and osteotomy correction, showcasing the style of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University under the empowerment of technology.
Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
In unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, artificial intelligence technology has ushered in the era of “millimeter-level precision.” Preoperatively, AI algorithms are used to perform 3D reconstruction and deep analysis of the patient’s knee joint CT and MRI images. By simulating the replacement effects of different surgical plans, doctors can predict surgical risks in advance, accurately plan the size, shape, and position of the implants, ensuring a perfect fit with the patient’s knee joint. During the surgery, the intelligent navigation system acts as a “precise signpost,” using AI to match the position of surgical instruments with the patient’s anatomical structure in real-time, guiding doctors to complete the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with extreme precision, minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissues, shortening surgical time, and enhancing surgical safety. Postoperatively, artificial intelligence can continuously track and analyze the patient’s rehabilitation data, predict recovery progress, and timely adjust rehabilitation plans, assisting patients in quickly regaining their ability to walk freely.
Deep Integration of Osteotomy Correction Technology and Artificial Intelligence
The deep integration of osteotomy correction technology and artificial intelligence showcases the magical charm of “reshaping joint force lines.” Preoperatively, the artificial intelligence system conducts a comprehensive and three-dimensional assessment of the patient’s lower limb force lines, accurately calculating the optimal osteotomy angle and position based on massive case data and mechanical models. During the surgery, it can execute osteotomy operations with sub-millimeter precision, ensuring that every cut perfectly matches the preoperative plan, allowing for the ideal adjustment of the lower limb force lines and effectively “lightening the load” on the joint areas that previously bore excessive pressure. Postoperatively, artificial intelligence continues to monitor the patient’s joint recovery, using machine learning algorithms to continuously optimize rehabilitation guidance, providing intelligent protection for the patient’s knee health throughout the entire recovery cycle.
From Mr. Zhang’s case to national-level technical awards, from the layout of eight subspecialties to the deep application of artificial intelligence, the orthopedic “magicians” of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University interpret the true connotation of precision medicine. Here, technology is not a cold instrument, but an extension of the physician’s benevolence, making every “impossible” possible for rebirth.
Source: Department of Publicity and Cultural Construction
WeChat Editor: Jin Yilei
Proofreader: Lin Wenjing Jia Siqi
Editor/Reviewer: Zhao Hongying
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