China's Top Departments: Orthopedics at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Home of the world's first successful limb replantation and ranked #3 nationally, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Orthopedics is China's National Center for Orthopedics — handling 65,000+ surgeries annually across 9 subspecialties. Here's what international patients should know.
If you've suffered a traumatic injury involving limb damage, need complex joint reconstruction, or are seeking a specialist for a sports medicine condition, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital's Department of Orthopedics is one of the most distinguished centers in the world. This is the department where, in 1963, Prof. CHEN Zhongwei and Prof. QIAN Yunqing performed the world's first successful limb replantation — a milestone in surgical history. In 1978, Prof. YU Zhongjia pioneered the "China Hand" technique (toe-to-hand transplantation), winning the National Invention Award (First Prize).
Today, the department is designated as China's National Center for Orthopedics (approved 2023), a National Key Discipline (since 2007), and a National Key Clinical Specialty. It ranks #3 nationally on the Fudan University Hospital Ranking. With 815 beds, 960,000+ annual outpatient visits, and 65,000+ surgeries per year, it is one of the highest-volume orthopedic centers in the world.
At ChinaMed Select, we've helped international patients connect with Sixth People's orthopedic team for complex trauma, joint reconstruction, and sports injuries. Here's what you need to know.
A Legacy of Surgical Innovation
The department's history reads like a textbook of Chinese orthopedic milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1963 | World's first successful limb replantation (Prof. CHEN Zhongwei & Prof. QIAN Yunqing) |
| 1978 | "China Hand" — toe-to-hand transplantation (National Invention Award, First Prize) |
| 1980 | Prof. CHEN Zhongwei elected Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| 1987 | Shanghai Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities established |
| 2023 | Approved as National Center for Orthopedics |
This legacy of innovation continues today under the leadership of Prof. ZHANG Wei (Trauma Orthopedics Director) and Prof. HE Yaohua (Sports Medicine Director), with a team of 320+ physicians and 30+ full-time researchers — including 8 national-level talents.
9 Subspecialties — Comprehensive Coverage
The department covers one of the broadest orthopedic portfolios in China:
- Trauma Orthopedics — >20,000 surgeries/year
- Hand & Reconstructive Surgery — limb replantation, finger reconstruction
- Joint Surgery — joint replacement including MAKO robotic-assisted
- Spine Surgery
- Sports Medicine — National Key Clinical Specialty, 15,000 surgeries/year
- Bone & Soft Tissue Oncology
- Foot & Ankle Surgery
- Hip Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Plus an independent Osteoporosis & Bone Disease Unit (founded 1993), a National Health Commission Key Specialty.
Signature Strengths
Limb Replantation & Microsurgery — World's Largest Center
Shanghai Sixth People's is the world's largest replantation center with internationally leading outcomes. If you've suffered an amputation or severe limb injury — especially in the hand, fingers, or extremities — this is the team that pioneered the techniques to save and reconstruct what others consider unsalvageable.
What this means for you: Time is critical in replantation surgery. The team's decades of experience with thousands of replantation cases means they can make rapid, expert decisions about whether and how to proceed — potentially saving a limb that other centers would not attempt.
"China Hand" Digit & Hand Reconstruction
The department's signature technique — autologous toe-to-hand transplantation — rebuilds functional digits using the patient's own tissue. This is particularly relevant for patients who have lost fingers or hand function due to trauma or occupational injury and need precise reconstruction.
Femoral Head Osteonecrosis — Microsurgical Hip Preservation
The department's microsurgical treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis achieves:
- 73.1% hip preservation rate in adolescents
- 92% femoral neck nonunion healing rate
If you've been told you need a hip replacement but want to explore hip-preserving options — especially if you're young — this team's outcomes are among the best in China.
Tibial Plateau Fracture — The "Three-Column" Theory
The department's "three-column" classification for tibial plateau fractures has been adopted in international AO trauma classic textbooks. This isn't just a clinical technique — it's a conceptual framework that surgeons worldwide use to plan treatment. If you have a complex tibial plateau fracture, the surgeons who defined the standard approach are treating you.
ACL Reconstruction & Sports Medicine
- Pioneered the eight-strand semitendinosus tendon double-bundle ACL reconstruction technique
- 30+ internationally advanced techniques in arthroscopic sports medicine
- Several techniques included in Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics — the world's most authoritative orthopedic surgery textbook
- 15,000 sports medicine surgeries annually
- National Key Clinical Specialty in Sports Medicine
Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
The department uses the MAKO robotic system for precision joint replacement, improving implant positioning accuracy and potentially extending implant lifespan.
Meet the Experts
| Name | Role | What Matters for Your Care |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. ZHANG Wei | Trauma Orthopedics Director (since 2024) | Leading the department's trauma surgery program — the world's largest replantation center. |
| Prof. HE Yaohua | Sports Medicine Director | Leading one of China's highest-volume sports medicine programs (15,000 surgeries/year). |
| Prof. ZHANG Zhenlin | Osteoporosis & Bone Disease Lead | Leading the department's bone metabolism and osteoporosis program. |
Academic legacy: The department's lineage traces from CAS Academician CHEN Zhongwei (the pioneer of limb replantation) → Prof. YU Zhongjia → Prof. ZENG Bingfang → Prof. ZHANG Changqing → the current team. This continuity of expertise spans over 60 years.
What International Patients Should Know
Language & Support
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital is a major academic medical center. English-language support can be arranged through the hospital's international services. For orthopedic consultations — especially regarding surgical options, implant selection, and rehabilitation plans — a bilingual medical coordinator is strongly recommended.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made via the hospital's official website (www.6thhosp.com), WeChat, phone, or through a medical coordinator
- For trauma emergencies: The hospital has dedicated emergency orthopedic services
- For elective procedures (joint replacement, sports medicine surgery, hand reconstruction), the typical timeline from consultation to surgery is 1–3 weeks
- The department's massive volume means efficient scheduling and minimal wait times
Cost Estimates
| Procedure | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial orthopedic consultation | ¥300–800 | $42–110 |
| X-ray + MRI workup | ¥1,500–4,000 | $210–560 |
| ACL reconstruction | ¥25,000–50,000 | $3,500–7,000 |
| Joint replacement (hip/knee) | ¥50,000–120,000 | $7,000–17,000 |
| Robotic-assisted joint replacement | ¥80,000–150,000 | $11,000–21,000 |
| Limb replantation (complex) | ¥60,000–150,000 | $8,400–21,000 |
| Arthroscopic surgery | ¥20,000–50,000 | $2,800–7,000 |
| Spine surgery | ¥40,000–120,000 | $5,500–17,000 |
These are estimates. Actual costs vary based on procedure complexity, implants used, and length of hospitalization.
Getting There
| Campus | Address |
|---|---|
| Xuhui Campus | No.600 Yishan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai |
| Lingang Campus | No.222 West Huanhu Road No.3, Pudong New Area, Shanghai |
- Appointment Hotline: +86-21-64757781
- Official Website: www.6thhosp.com (Chinese) / english.6thhosp.com (English)
How ChinaMed Select Can Help
Orthopedic conditions range from acute trauma to chronic degenerative disease. ChinaMed Select ensures you're connected with the right subspecialty:
- Expert Subspecialty Matching: The department has 9 distinct subspecialties. We match you with the one that handles your exact condition — trauma, sports medicine, joint replacement, hand surgery, spine, or pediatric orthopedics
- Trauma Emergency Coordination: If you've had an accident and need urgent orthopedic care, we can fast-track your connection to the trauma team
- Medical Record Preparation: Orthopedic consultations require imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT), prior surgical records, and functional assessments. We help you organize and translate everything
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly with the department
- Certified Medical Translation: Orthopedic discussions involve surgical options, implant choices, rehabilitation protocols, and expected outcomes. Our translators ensure you understand every detail
- End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup to hotel arrangement near the hospital, interpreter presence, and post-operative rehabilitation coordination, we handle logistics so you can focus on recovery
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: www.6thhosp.com, WeChat, phone (+86-21-64757781), or through ChinaMed Select
- Xuhui Campus: No.600 Yishan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
- Lingang Campus: No.222 West Huanhu Road No.3, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
- English website: english.6thhosp.com
Ready to explore orthopedic options at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital? Contact ChinaMed Select for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your condition and imaging, connect you with the right subspecialty team, and coordinate your entire journey — from medical record translation to post-operative rehabilitation.