Strength and Expertise

1. Experienced and world-renowned clinical and research scientists, e.g.
1. Prof. KS Leung (MD) has been the consultant of overseas orthopaedic companies (Stryker) – a leading industry in orthopaedic implants and medical devices. He is also a foundation member of International Society for Fracture Repair (ISFR: www.fractures.com) and Micromechanical Tissue Repair Society, President Elect of International Society for Computer Aided Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS: www.caos-international.org), EXCO member of Association Internationale pour l'Osteosynthese Dynamique (AIOD: http://www.traumacareinstitute.org/). He is editors for several peer-reviewed international journals such as Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Injury, Osteosynthesis and Truma Care, Revista de Ortopedia y, Traumatologia, etc. He has many years of experience in conducting large-scale clinical trial for implants and medical devices.
2. Prof. Ling QIN (PhD) as a scientific consultant of a large clinical imaging company (Synarc: www.synarc.com) for giving advices for preparing for clinical trial protocols and monitoring of clinical trials in the field of musculoskeletal and related professions, especially in the field of primary osteoporosis, e.g. for a multi-center Phase IV clinical trial using TCM for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Mainland China. He is serving in a in New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed Chinese Medicine Company (TCM) to provide expertise for liaising leading research institutions for joint R&D of modernized Chinese Medicine for prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal medical conditions, including osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, and osteoarthritis. e.g. 1) we became a preclinical evaluation center for both contract study and gradually towards joint R&D center; 2) drafting protocols for a phase IV multi-center study on TCM for prevention steroid-induced osteoporosis and osteonecrosis, that has been commenced recently in Mainland China and also exploration our CUHK’s participation.
3. Prof. JCY Cheng (MD) for Paediatric Orthopaedics – including 1) Vibration intervention for AIS patients with low Bone mineral density; 2) collaboration with Stuart Weinstein NIH Scoliosis brace BRAIST project; 3) With Poly U bracing using CADCAM Vs conventional plaster casting.
4. Prof. WH Cheung (PhD) as a research committee member of Association International pour l'Osteosynthese Dynamique (AIOD) to review both clinical and basic science research proposals from different countries over the world. He has experience in conducting clinical trials for medical devices.
2. Large local, regional and international network for both research and education, e.g.
1. We have a strong clinical team providing comprehensive orthopaedic services covering a wide spectrum of orthopaedic conditions across all age groups in a population of 600,000. Our subspecialties include Traumatology, Paediatric Orthopaedics, Hand, Musculoskeletal Infection, Musculoskeletal Tumor, Hand, Foot and Ankle, Sport Medicine, Adult Joint Replacement and Spine.
2. Prof. KS Leung as director of Orthopaedic Learning Center (OLC: www.olc-cuhk.org) and has trained several hundreds medical doctors and healthcare staff locally, regionally and internationally (http://www.olc-cuhk.org).
3. Prof. Ling QIN as vice-chairman of International Chinese Hard Tissue Society (ICHTS: www.ichts.org) and committee member of a few key National professional organizations, including
1. 中華醫學會骨科學會基礎組委員會委員
2. 中國老年學會骨質疏鬆委員會第四屆委員會副主任委員
3. 中國科學技術發展基金會骨質疏鬆基金委員會首屆骨質疏鬆防治藥物藥效評價專組委員
4. Prof. WH Cheung as a member of International Chinese Hard Tissue Society (ICHTS: www.ichts.org) and Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS: www.ors.org).
3. Recognitions and contributions (details of following information are found in our website: www.ort.cuhk.edu.hk):
1. Research awards: staff members of the Department have received on average 10 international awards per year for recognizing quality of our research.
2. Leading the profession by drafting official documents or guidelines for preclinical and clinical trials: e.g.
1. Prof. Ling QIN as chief editor for organizing a national and world leading clinical and basic scientists to publish a “General guidelines for preclinical and clinical evaluations of herbal medicine developed for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and fragility fractures.” (中藥防治骨質疏鬆症及其骨折的臨床前和臨床評價指導原則.人民?生出版社 (ISBN 7-117-07879-0) (共77頁), 中國北京,2006年8月第一版)
3. Editing or co-editing text or reference books for prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, such as
1. Leung KS, Ko PS. Practical Manual for Musculoskeletal Trauma (Volume I and II). Springer-Verlag Singapore Pte Ltd. (total 338 for Vol I; total 408 for Vol II), (ISBN:9814021628), 2001.
2. Kempf I, Leung KS. Practice of Intramedullary Locked Nails – Scientific Basis and Standard Techniques. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York. (total 170), (ISBN:3-540-64079-7), 2002.
3. Kempf I, Leung KS. Practice of Intramedullary Locked Nails – Advanced Techniques and Special Applications. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York. (total 160), (ISBN:3-540-64080-0), 2002.
4. Leung KS, Hung LK, Leung PC. Biodegradable Implants in Fracture Fixation. World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. (ISBN:981-02-1796-X), 1994.
5. Qin L, Genant HK, Griffith J, Leung KS (eds). Advanced Bioimaging Technologies in Assessment of Quality of Bone and Scaffold Biomaterials. Springer Verlag, (in print) (total 600 pages, 457 figures), (ISBN:9783540454540), 2007
6. 劉忠厚等(主編) … 秦嶺 (副主編): 骨礦與臨床(ISBN-7-5046-4314-9) (共959頁). 中國科學技術出版社, 中國北京, 2006年3月第一版 (1-2300 冊)
7. 陳啟明, 梁國穗, 秦嶺 等主譯. 骨科基礎科學 (中文版第一版) (735頁). 人民衛生出版社 (ISBN 7-117-04569-8) 2001
8. 秦嶺, 胡聲宇, 陳啟明主編. 體育生物醫學基礎研究與進展 (340頁) (ISBN 7-5009-2059-8), 人民體育出版社, 2001

Special Facility and Equipment

In the past 12 years, Department has developed to an internationally recognized pre-clinical and clinical research center and installed advanced research facilities for conducting musculoskeletal basic and clinical research, especially in the area of diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders and their prevention and treatment (efficacy studies). The special and/or key facilities and equipment are categorized and listed below and also available in our website (hppt://www.ort.cuhk.edu.hk):
Our Department has a Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory that has following functional technical support units for both preclinical and clinical research. These include: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Histology, Biomechanics, and advanced Evaluation Center for Musculoskeletal Imaging where we are equipped with 2-set of DXA, 2 set of pQCT, 3 set of microCT (two for animal and one for human below). Together with knowledgeable research staff, we are recognized as a leading center for both R&D for collaboration with both academic units and industries on R&D of orthopaedic medical devices, biomaterials and drugs locally, regionally, and internationally.

Disease Types and Number of Patients for Clinical Trials Recruitment

1. Osteoporosis patients:
1. primary (hormone related) osteoporosis (over 1000);
2. secondary osteoporosis and osteonecrosis:
3. osteoporotic patients for testing both drugs and biophysical devices
4. Geriatric Fractures
2. Osteonecrosis
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
5. Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction etc
6. Paediatric Trauma
7. Degenerative, neoplastic and other acquired spinal conditions
8. Patients with sport and soft tissue injuries
9. Any hand conditions
10. Patients with Foot and Ankle problems
11. Patients with musculoskeletal Tumor, in particular, osteosarcoma and giant cell tumour
12. Patients with musculoskeletal infection

Collaboration, Partners and Multi-centre Trials Capability

1. China: we have built up a network for multi-center studies, including orthopaedic devices and biomaterials as well as for drug trials. There are two large trial on-going, including
1. A phase IV clinical trial for evaluation of a TCM developed for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis from the NYSE listed TCM Company that has been contracted to Synarc – a 6-medical center trial using FDA criteria – to be completed by end 2007..
2. A phase IV clinical trial for testing an estrogenic herbal medicine in 5 centers involving 600 patients.
2. USA and Europe: Staff members serve as consultant and/or committee members of JOCOC (www.jococ.org) where a NIH supported multi-center trial on Mr.Os (male osteoporosis) is being conduced.
3. Many industrial contract studies, including both medical devices and drugs for prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, such as
1. Medical devices (diagnostic tools, implants, and biophysical intervention devices, such as gamma nail, low intensity pulsed ultrasound, vibration platform).
2. Biomaterials, such as injectable hydroxyapatite.
3. Nutrition supplement for prevention of osteoporosis
4. Our Department is fully capable of collaborating with any Data Management Center for on-line submission of data and any uploading of digital images

Clinical Trials Monitored and/or Audited by Industry, FDA and local RGC etc.

1. Mr. OS NIH research grant
2. A phase IV clinical trial for evaluation of a TCM developed for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis from the NYSE listed TCM Company that has been contracted to Synarc – a 6-medical center trial using FDA criteria.
3. A phase II clinical trial for evaluation of low intensity pulsed ultrasound on complex fractures – currently being audited by FDA.