Knee Preservation Center

1. Department Overview: In May 2021, under the leadership of Academician Zhang Yingze, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University established the first Knee Preservation Department in China. In December 2024, the Knee Preservation Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University was renamed the Knee Preservation Center, and the world’s first “Knee-Opening School” was established at the same time. Guided by Academician Zhang Yingze’s advanced concepts and techniques, the Knee Preservation Center continues to focus on the early diagnosis of knee joint diseases, individualized and stepwise treatment, and postoperative rehabilitation guidance. The Knee Preservation Center team uses knee-preserving surgeries such as high tibial osteotomy and fibular osteotomy to treat knee osteoarthritis, providing higher-quality diagnosis and treatment services for a large number of patients with knee joint diseases.

2. Medical Staffing Structure: The medical staffing structure is rationally organized, and the department has an excellent, professional nursing team. Academician Zhang Yingze serves as the department director. The department currently has 6 physicians, including 2 chief physicians, 1 associate chief physician, 2 attending physicians, and 1 resident physician; 100% of personnel under 40 years of age hold doctoral degrees.

3. Department Features

(1) Knee-Preservation Surgery: The department’s surgical volume has now exceeded 1000 cases, consistently ranking first in the province and among the national leaders. The routine implementation of a series of mature techniques, including classic high tibial osteotomy, minimally invasive absorbable spacer osteotomy, fibular osteotomy, and minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment of the knee, has turned “treating knee joint disease without replacing the joint” from a dream into reality.

(2) Knee-Opening Exercise: In December 2024, the world’s first “Knee-Opening School,” established at the same time as the Knee Preservation Center, became another highlight in the development of the specialty. The “Knee-Opening School” in the ward offers Knee-Nourishing, Knee-Protecting, and Knee-Preserving classes, with clinical experts personally teaching patients methods for opening the knee. By swinging the legs to alter intra-articular pressure and strengthen local muscles, many patients can relieve pain without taking medication or receiving injections.

3. Patient Visit Guide

(1) Ward Location

Laoshan Campus, Building 1, 10th Floor

(2) Outpatient Locations

Laoshan Campus, Building 1, 3rd Floor, Academician Zhang Yingze Workstation

Laoshan Campus, Building 2, 2nd Floor, Surgical Outpatient Clinic

West Coast Campus, 3rd Floor, Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic

(3) Consultation Telephone

Laoshan Campus: 0532-82915636