Experimental program presents potential relief for Hong Kong individuals suffering from degenerative knee condition
In Hong Kong, public hospitals are now offering more patients with degenerative knee illnesses an additional treatment option that combines Western and Chinese medicine. This integrated approach is aimed at alleviating pain and slowing down the progression of the condition, as joint replacement surgeries remain in high demand.
Originating from a pilot program launched in May 2021, the Hospital Authority's Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Program targets knee osteoarthritis, the most common orthopaedic condition in Hong Kong, particularly among the aging population. The program, which is the first integrated Chinese-Western medicine outpatient service in Hong Kong, has been expanded to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern, Queen Elizabeth, United Christian, and Yan Chai hospitals.
Dr. Wun Yiu-chung, chairman of the authority's Coordinating Committee in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, emphasized the growing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis, stating that "with an aging population in Hong Kong, the disease will become more common, presenting a huge challenge for our healthcare system." The ultimate goal, according to Dr. Wun, is to "maintain and improve the quality of life for the elderly."
The program's strategy incorporates valuable experiences from mainland China, particularly in implementing concepts of step-up therapy and chronic disease management for knee osteoarthritis patients at various stages. These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting patients with the condition in China.
The newly established integrated service provides a holistic approach to care, marrying the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with evidence-based Western treatments. This collaborative care model seeks to personalize treatment plans based on individual patient needs, including a combination of therapies. Additionally, community engagement plays a crucial role in improving treatment adherence and outcomes.
The expansion of this integrated service in Hong Kong signals a significant commitment to implementing a multidisciplinary approach to manage knee osteoarthritis effectively within the region's healthcare system. Collaboration with mainland China could further enhance this approach by sharing best practices, conducting joint research studies, and providing training for healthcare professionals in both regions.
- The Hospital Authority's Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Program, which has expanded to several hospitals in Hong Kong, aims to maintain and improve the quality of life for the elderly with degenerative knee illnesses such as chronic knee osteoarthritis, a common medical condition particularly among the aging population.
- Recognizing the growing prevalence of chronic knee osteoarthritis due to an aging population in Hong Kong, the program's strategy incorporates valuable experiences from mainland China, including concepts of step-up therapy and chronic disease management for patients at various stages.
- In an effort to offer comprehensive health-and-wellness solutions for degenerative knee illnesses, the integrated service in Hong Kong utilizes a collaborative care model that blends traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with evidence-based Western treatments, tailoring therapies and treatments to individual patient needs and promoting treatment adherence through community engagement.
