New GHK Joint Replacement Centre Now in Operation

Introducing ERAS to foster speedy recovery and reduce complications

(3 December 2018 – Hong Kong) Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital (GHK) has launched a new Joint Replacement Centre with a team of specialists adopting fast-track arthroplasty and ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) approach, allowing patients to be treated effectively and resume their normal lives as soon as possible.

New Joint Replacement Centre providing comprehensive and multi-disciplinary patient care

To cope with the increasing demand for orthopaedic procedures, GHK has recently launched a new Joint Replacement Centre to provide comprehensive and specialist treatment for patients with joint problems. Mr Dirk Schraven, Chief Executive Officer of GHK, said, “Since GHK has opened in March 2017, we have performed over 100 cases of joint replacement procedures, all with good results and recovery. Our team of specialists adopts fast-track arthroplasty and recovery through advanced surgical procedures which are key to quality outcomes and speedy recovery. The aim is to reduce surgery time and pain, and facilitate earlier discharge and rehabilitation.”

GHK currently offers around 20 medical packages on joint-related procedures, from diagnostic arthroscopy, to total knee replacement. The packages are all-inclusive, fixed-price, covering all fees including doctor’s and anesthetist’s fees, procedures, drugs, implants, room, etc. Packages also allow for complications that may require re-operation and intensive care within the prescribed length of stay.

“Patients are supported by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure a holistic recovery. The team includes orthopaedic specialists, a pain management team formed by anesthetists, physiotherapists, dieticians and specialist nurses.” Mr Dirk Schraven added.

Highly experienced team providing accurate diagnosis of joint problems

The GHK team has adopted a fast-track recovery approach, known as “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), since the initial stage of GHK’s operation. The approach was pioneered by the HKU Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology 3 years ago. With ERAS, the team adopts a standard protocol which causes substantial less bleeding and the pain level of the patient is also greatly reduced. Dr Yan Chun-hoi, Specialist in Orthopaedics & Traumatology, said, “Pain is often the major hurdle for patients’ recovery. To effectively manage patients’ pain, we have adopted an integrated approach to joint replacement procedure to facilitate speedy recovery and mobility resumption.”

Features of ERAS:

Anaesthesiology	Adjust dose of anaesthetic before, during and after surgery in accordance with patient’s conditions
Orthopaedics	Minimise bleeding and reduce patient’s physical burden
Pain Management	Minimise patient’s pain
Physiotherapy	Step-by-step rehabilitation exercise begins on the next day following the procedure
Nursing Team	Closely monitor patient’s physical conditions

Dr Cheung Man-hong, Specialist in Orthopaedics & Traumatology, explained that there are countless joints in the human body, from as small as those in the fingers to as big as those in the knees. Arthritis can occur in many areas, and in severe cases, joints become stiffer and less flexible. Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by immune system disorders, when drugs fail to help treat arthritis, a joint replacement procedure is a last resort.

Dr Yan added, “Many patients suffering from arthritis will eventually choose to undergo a joint replacement procedure. Their joints may be severely damaged that drug treatment can no longer relieve their pain and they can only resort to the procedure. Some patients even need to undergo the procedure on both knees at the same time.”

ERAS has achieved remarkable results, according to the 100 cases of joint replacement procedure performed at GHK from June 2017 to November 2018, over 50% of which were unilateral total knee cases. The outcomes and the recovery progress are very encouraging.

The results are as follows:

Post-procedure:

All patients could stand or walk on the day after the procedure
No patient needed Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

Post-procedure Follow-up:

All patients’ post-operative X-rays showed satisfactory healing
Discharge in 5 to 7 days without extension of the days of hospitalisation
No complications in all cases

Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital

Located at Wong Chuk Hang on Hong Kong Island South, Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital (GHK) is a multi-specialty private hospital, providing 500 beds, cutting-edge medical technologies and a comprehensive range of clinical services spanning more than 35 specialties and subspecialties. As Hong Kong’s top-notch private teaching hospital, GHK also contributes to the training and development of healthcare professionals and advancement of clinical research.

GHK is a joint venture between Parkway Pantai Limited, one of Asia’s largest integrated private healthcare groups and the largest operating subsidiary of IHH Healthcare which is the second largest healthcare groups in the world by market capitalisation, and NWS Holdings Limited. The University of Hong Kong is GHK’s exclusive clinical partner and is responsible for providing GHK with clinical governance and clinical expertise.