These protective techniques are essential!
"Take cycling for example. Many people think it's a low-impact, joint-friendly, safe sport, but that's not actually the case. Clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint dislocations are very common," points out Dr. Yuqi Dong, Academic Leader of Orthopedic Trauma at SinoUnited Health.
"Just in the first half of this year, I have already treated several patients with pelvic fractures caused by cycling. Pelvic fractures are serious injuries that can be accompanied by life-threatening complications like massive bleeding, nerve damage, or internal organ injuries."
Factors such as insufficient protective measures, lack of technical proficiency, or neglecting the rules of the sport can significantly increase fracture risk.
With nearly 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Dong offers a series of practical principles for sports enthusiasts, emphasizing the importance of scientific prevention and correct response to fractures.
Meet Dr. Yuqi Dong: Using Comprehensive Skill for Complex Trauma, Returning with a Pure Heart to the Essence of Healing, Embodying the Depth and Warmth of High-Quality Care
Spanning over 30 years, Dr. Yuqi Dong's medical career began with a youthful fascination with the "noble" calling of medicine. In middle school, the image of his neighbor—a hospital president revered for healing the sick—combined with groundbreaking news of China's first open-heart surgery, planted the seed of his medical vocation.
He eventually took root at Renji Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, where his dream first sprouted. During an era when orthopedics was not yet highly specialized, he gained comprehensive experience in trauma, spine, and joint surgery, laying a broad and solid foundation for his unique clinical approach.
As a renowned academic leader in orthopedics in Shanghai, Dr. Dong has dedicated himself to trauma orthopedics, with particular expertise in severe bone and joint injuries, complex fracture complications, and minimally invasive treatments for fractures around the knee and elbow.
He integrates the comprehensive capabilities acquired early in his career into the diagnosis and treatment of complex trauma, addressing not only skeletal stability but also coordinating neurological function, soft tissue viability, and early rehabilitation needs to avoid the limitations of a singular treatment perspective.
His academic philosophy is shaped not only by the rigorous scholarship of his predecessors but also by a deeply regrettable case: the loss of a postoperative orthopedic patient due to overlooked symptoms of myocardial infarction.
This profoundly influenced his medical outlook—"treat the whole person, not just the localized issue." He firmly believes that before highly specializing, physicians must acquire broad-based experience to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Over 20 years ago, Dr. Dong traveled to Germany multiple times for advanced training in artificial joint surgery and spinal techniques. His work experience there allowed him to witness the power of "standardization," and the systematic training system gave him a profound understanding of how rigorous processes are crucial to medical quality.
This international perspective enabled him to integrate German precision and efficiency into his practice. His surgical style is renowned for being "fast yet composed," emphasizing clear procedural logic and the elimination of superfluous movements, thereby enhancing both surgical efficiency and outcomes.
Beyond technical precision, he also focuses on continuous clinical innovation. Dr. Dong currently holds eight patents, including one for a method that optimizes the surgical approach to the elbow joint by avoiding damage to neurovascular structures and facilitating easier reduction and fixation—an innovation now widely adopted in clinical practice.
Now at SinoUnited Health, he has found his ideal fulfillment as a "pure physician." The institution's "Doctor-led Management" model prioritizes patients' needs and refocuses on the essence of medical practice.
He values having ample communication time with each patient, consistently explaining their conditions and treatment plans in the simplest terms with patience.
Dr. Dong firmly believes that achieving patient satisfaction means "half healing the heart, half curing the disease."
He regards Dr. Trudeau's maxim, "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always," as the most poetic interpretation of the Hippocratic Oath and practices it as his guiding principle in medicine.
To him, the essence of high-quality healthcare—exactly what SinoUnited Health embodies—lies in providing patients with the finest compassion.
While technical expertise forms the foundation, it is the heartfelt communication, solace, and assistance that constitute the very soul of medicine as a human science.
Being able to dedicate his life to healing patients as his most cherished vocation remains his greatest happiness and fulfillment.
When a Fracture Occurs, a Scientific Response is Key
Almost any sport carries some risk of injury, and accidents can sometimes be difficult to avoid entirely.
Unlike muscle strains or ligament sprains, a fracture means the structural integrity of the bone is compromised, usually requiring more specialized diagnosis and intervention.
Dr. Dong emphasizes that a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis is the starting point for effective treatment.
At SinoUnited Health, decisions regarding orthopedic surgery are never based solely on subjective experience but strictly follow evidence-based surgical indications.
"Taking common intra-articular fractures as an example, the treatment approach depends on a precise assessment of the fracture displacement degree through imaging," he explains.
"According to professional clinical guidelines, if the joint surface depression exceeds 3 millimeters, surgery is usually recommended to restore joint surface alignment and function. If the depression is less than 3 millimeters, conservative treatment can be prioritized.
"This quantitative standard ensures the scientific nature and consistency of treatment decisions, aiming for the best possible outcome for the patient."
The Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation Center at SinoUnited Health brings together orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other relevant professionals, fully integrating multidisciplinary team resources to provide patients with comprehensive services from acute phase management to functional recovery.
"At SinoUnited Health, you can see doctors from different disciplines sitting together, discussing patient cases collectively, and formulating individualized treatment plans," Dr. Dong describes. "Our primary intention is always to secure the best possible outcome for the patient."
If There is Only One Tip: PREVENTION
When asked for advice for sports enthusiasts, Dr. Dong said, "If I could only give one most important piece of advice, it would be 'prevention is better than cure.'
Many common sports injuries, such as shoulder injuries, elbow fractures, and even pelvic fractures that can occur under high-impact force, are far more complex and difficult to treat than to prevent, also placing a significant psychological burden and physical harm on the patient."
Choosing appropriate protective equipment is the first line of defense against injury. Targeted protective gear should be selected based on the specific sport.
For example, wearing ankle and knee braces in basketball enhances joint stability; always wearing a helmet while cycling protects the head; and using shoulder and elbow pads in contact sports can help cushion impact.
The second key element is standardized technical training. Proper technical movement is crucial for injury prevention.
Standardized movement patterns help distribute the body's load reasonably, avoiding excessive stress on joints and soft tissues. For instance, learning proper landing and shock-absorption techniques can help reduce pressure on the knee and ankle joints.
Training under the guidance of professional coaches is recommended to establish correct movement patterns and reduce the risk of injury caused by improper technique.
In addition to equipment and technique, thorough warm-up, reasonable control of intensity, and strengthening strength and balance training are all preventive strategies that sports enthusiasts should adopt to effectively reduce sports injuries and enjoy sports safely and sustainably.
Beyond Surgical Treatment: Building a Comprehensive Rehabilitation System
Successful surgery lays the foundation for functional recovery, but the patient's ability to safely return to sports and daily life depends even more on a scientific and comprehensive rehabilitation system.
"Surgery itself is not our ultimate goal," Dr. Dong states. "Ultimately, we need to ensure patients safely return to sports and daily life."
Ideal orthopedic rehabilitation relies on the close collaboration of multidisciplinary experts from orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, sports medicine, nutrition, and psychology. Accurate and ongoing assessment forms the basis for developing an effective rehabilitation plan.
From a functional recovery perspective, based on evaluation results, the rehabilitation team creates a fully personalized training plan. This includes specific exercises, intensity, frequency, and measurable stage goals, ensuring that patients not only regain basic function but also enhance their athletic performance and injury resistance.
Another often overlooked aspect is that sports injuries, particularly severe trauma like fractures, can often lead patients to develop "kinesiophobia" (fear of movement) due to pain and fear, which hinders the rehabilitation process.
Through proactive communication by the healthcare team, informational support, and emotional counseling, anxiety and depressive feelings can be alleviated, building confidence in recovery and ultimately enabling a high-quality return to life and sports.
For international patients, SinoUnited Health has established comprehensive procedures to ensure continuity of care after they return to their home countries. Upon discharge, patients receive a detailed bilingual medical report, including all imaging data, surgical records, current condition assessments, and follow-up rehabilitation plans.
Furthermore, the team maintains communication with both the patient and their local healthcare providers through the hospital's dedicated application, WeChat, or email, ensuring any questions receive prompt responses.
The most effective medical treatment is prevention—controlling risks through scientific protection before injury occurs. But once an accident happens, professional medical help should be sought immediately, followed by strict adherence to the rehabilitation plan.
Dr. Dong concluded, "The purpose of sports is to embrace life more healthily. Understanding the risks, taking protective measures, responding scientifically after an injury, and maintaining patience during recovery—this is the path to long-term enjoyment of sports."
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