Founding of the hospital
Its predecessor was the Shanghai Isolation Hospital for Western Residents, beginning more than a century of development as a general hospital.
ShanghaiSixth People's Hospital
Second nationally for orthopedics reputation, with a legacy in limb replantation and functional reconstruction.
Founded in 1904, the Sixth Hospital ranked second in orthopedics and fifth in sports medicine in the 2023 Fudan National Specialty Reputation Rankings. It performed the world's first successful limb replantation in 1963 and created the reconstructed Chinese Hand in 1978. In 2022 it became a principal hospital of the National Medical Center for Orthopedics. Joint replacement, complex revision and shoulder and knee reconstruction continue that tradition of technical innovation today.
Shanghai, China
Birthplace of the world's first limb replantation, and a National Medical Center for Orthopedics today.
The Sixth Hospital's orthopedics department was founded in 1959. Chen Zhongwei and Qian Yunqing performed limb replantation; Yu Zhongjia reconstructed a hand with sensation and movement using the patient's toes. These contributions established a tradition of repair and functional reconstruction.
The National Medical Center for Orthopedics, key specialties in joint surgery and sports medicine, and research in artificial joints and shoulder and knee techniques carry that heritage forward.
National specialty reputation and a national medical center
2023 Fudan National Specialty Reputation Rankings · Published in November 2024
OrthopedicsNo. 2
2023 national specialty reputation
Sports medicineNo. 5
2023 national specialty reputation
National Medical Center for OrthopedicsA principal hospital
Approved by the National Health Commission in 2022
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital are joint principal institutions of the National Medical Center for Orthopedics.
A principal hospital of the National Medical Center for Orthopedics
In 2022, the National Health Commission designated Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital as joint principal institutions of a north–south collaborative orthopedic medical center.
10 national key clinical specialties
The hospital's November 2025 introduction lists 10 national key clinical specialties, including orthopedics, joint surgery, sports medicine, trauma surgery and foot and ankle surgery, providing a basis for subspecialty collaboration.
National development projects for artificial joints and ligaments
Zhang Xianlong leads the national key R&D project on high-performance artificial joints. Zhao Jinzhong is chief scientist of a key R&D project on regeneration-inducing artificial ligaments, advancing research in medical devices and materials.
The world's first successful limb replantation
On January 2, Chen Zhongwei and Qian Yunqing replanted a severed wrist, marking an important milestone in global microsurgery and reconstructive surgery.
Creation of the reconstructed Chinese Hand
Yu Zhongjia transplanted the patient's own toes to a forearm stump, reconstructing a hand with sensation and movement and opening a new approach to functional restoration.
Approval of the National Medical Center for Orthopedics
As a principal hospital, it undertakes orthopedic clinical care, research and collaborative work.
Leading specialties,
built on medical achievements.
Explore Sixth People's Hospital's contributions in each field, from specialty standing to notable achievements, and the conditions this expertise supports.
National key clinical specialty
Joint surgery · Hospital specialty development information, November 2025
Joint surgery at the Sixth Hospital combines minimally invasive procedures, robotic assistance and artificial joint materials research, with dedicated expertise in primary replacement, complex deformity and revision arthroplasty.
Robot-assisted hip, knee and unicompartmental replacement
Development of joint replacement techniquesZhang Xianlong was among China's early adopters of robot-assisted total hip, total knee and unicompartmental replacement. His hospital profile describes this surgical experience and associated training platforms.
Leading high-performance artificial joint development
National Key R&D Program during the 13th Five-Year PlanAs project leader, Zhang Xianlong organizes research into materials, interface wear, osseointegration and related challenges for Chinese-developed artificial joints. The project held an annual progress meeting in 2019.
No. 2 nationally for orthopedics reputation
Orthopedics' overall position in the 2023 Fudan rankings. Joint surgery is a major clinical field within the National Medical Center for Orthopedics.
Complex primary replacement and revision
Care includes severe hip and knee deformities, periprosthetic fractures, aseptic loosening and periprosthetic joint infection.
What conditions can this expertise help address?
Hip or knee degeneration, severe deformity and problems after joint replacement require review of imaging, function and previous surgical records when discussing replacement, revision and subsequent rehabilitation.
No. 5 nationally for specialty reputation
2023 Fudan National Specialty Reputation Rankings · Sports Medicine
Sports medicine at the Sixth Hospital focuses on complex shoulder, knee and other joint injuries and functional reconstruction. Its research includes ligament reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, joint instability and release of adhesions.
Minimally invasive knee release technique included in an international textbook
A technique featured in Campbell's Operative OrthopaedicsZhao Jinzhong's minimally invasive knee release technique was included in an international orthopedic textbook. Related research received a Shanghai Science and Technology Progress First Prize.
Techniques for complex shoulder instability and rotator cuff reconstruction
Reconstructing shoulder structure and functionZhao Jinzhong developed a treatment approach for complex shoulder dislocation combining labral repair, bone grafting and coracoid transfer, and reconstruction methods for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.
National key clinical specialty
Sports medicine appears in the hospital's November 2025 list of national key clinical specialties.
A national R&D mission for artificial ligaments
A leading specialist in the department undertakes a national key R&D project on artificial ligaments that induce regeneration, studying materials and tissue regeneration.
What conditions can this expertise help address?
Cruciate ligament, meniscus and rotator cuff injuries require assessment of injury extent, stability and functional goals. The team considers arthroscopy, repair or reconstruction, together with rehabilitation arrangements.
Meet the specialists
through their achievements.
Discover the specialists' contributions and the conditions and treatments they focus on.
Showing 2 representative specialists
Zhang Xianlong
Joint surgery
Chief physician · Professor
Joint surgery leader at the National Medical Center for Orthopedics · National key R&D project leader
Ask about this doctorLeading a national artificial joint project and performing robotic hip and knee replacement
Zhang Xianlong focuses on artificial hip and knee replacement, complex deformities and revision, incorporating joint materials research and digital surgical technology into clinical care and research.
Leading a national high-performance artificial joint project
He heads the High-Performance Artificial Joints project under the 13th Five-Year National Key R&D Program, studying prosthetic interface wear, osseointegration and domestic development.
Robotic joint replacement and technical training
An early adopter of robot-assisted total hip, total knee and unicompartmental replacement, he is listed in his hospital profile as director of the joint surgery robotics clinical application training center at the National Medical Center for Orthopedics.
Conditions and treatment expertise
- Primary hip and knee replacement and complex deformity
- Assessment of robotic or minimally invasive replacement and complex primary cases involving hip dysplasia, ankylosis or severe knee varus or valgus deformity.
- Revision joint replacement
- Revision concerns including periprosthetic fractures, osteolysis, aseptic loosening and, in particular, periprosthetic joint infection.
Zhao Jinzhong
Sports medicine
Chief physician · Doctoral supervisor
National key R&D project chief scientist · Sports medicine leader
Ask about this doctorAn original knee release technique in an international textbook, and new methods for complex rotator cuff reconstruction
Zhao Jinzhong focuses on complex shoulder and knee sports injuries and functional reconstruction, developing arthroscopic techniques and undertaking national research on artificial ligament regeneration.
A minimally invasive knee release technique in an international textbook
His technique was included in Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, and related research received a Shanghai Science and Technology Progress First Prize.
Creating techniques for complex shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair
He developed a triple-security technique for complex shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff reconstruction, and the anchor-free Fix-to-Suture Base repair method.
Conditions and treatment expertise
- Knee ligaments and knee dysfunction
- Diagnosis, treatment and reconstruction for anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries, posterolateral corner injuries, patellofemoral problems and joint adhesions.
- Shoulder instability and rotator cuff injuries
- Complex shoulder dislocation, massive or difficult-to-repair rotator cuff tears, rotator cuff repair in osteoporosis and shoulder contracture.
These profiles describe professional expertise and notable experience. The doctor, campus and appointment time are confirmed when arranging care.
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Related reading
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Sports medicine
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