In May 2026, Hong Ngoc General Hospital continued its collaboration with Professor Hiranaka Takafumi of Japan, performing muscle and tendon sparing total knee replacement surgery for multiple patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis and joint deformities.
Collaboration to advance muscle and tendon sparing kinematic alignment knee replacement surgery
On May 24 - 25, 2026, Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, MD, PhD, Director of the Joint Surgery Center at Takatsuki General Hospital, Japan, visited Hong Ngoc General Hospital - Phuc Truong Minh to conduct patient consultations, multidisciplinary case discussions, and joint surgical procedures for patients with complex knee disorders.
The visit was part of an ongoing annual professional collaboration between Hong Ngoc General Hospital and one of the world's leading experts in knee replacement surgery. The partnership aims to enhance treatment quality while supporting the integration of advanced international orthopedic techniques into clinical practice in Vietnam.
Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, MD, PhD, is widely recognized as a pioneer of the muscle and tendon sparing knee replacement technique, an advanced surgical approach that has been adopted in developed healthcare systems across Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries. With more than 5,000 successful procedures performed, the technique maximizes preservation of muscles, tendons, and periarticular soft tissues, helping to reduce postoperative pain, minimize blood loss, lower the risk of complications, and support earlier functional recovery.
The approach is particularly beneficial for elderly patients and those with severe knee deformities, enabling faster rehabilitation and improved postoperative mobility.
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Since September 2023, Hong Ngoc General Hospital has become the first private hospital in Vietnam to receive the transfer of the muscle and tendon sparing knee replacement technique from Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, MD, PhD, after meeting stringent requirements for clinical expertise, medical equipment, and treatment protocols.
After nearly three years of routine clinical implementation, the hospital has successfully treated numerous patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis, helping to relieve pain and restore mobility effectively.
Simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement performed for a patient with advanced osteoarthritis and severe knee stiffness
During this collaborative visit, Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, MD, PhD, and Dr. Le Quang Huy, PhD, Head of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Neurosurgery at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, jointly performed surgery on several patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis, including a patient with severe knee joint stiffness.
According to Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, this was a particularly complex case because the patient had undergone multiple previous knee surgeries, resulting in extensive scar tissue formation, severe joint stiffness, muscle and tendon contractures, and the presence of large intra-articular loose bodies.
The surgical team opted for a medial parapatellar approach for total knee replacement, which provided full exposure of the relevant anatomical landmarks. The procedure enabled removal of damaged articular cartilage, restoration of lower limb alignment, and reconstruction of joint function, allowing the patient to regain improved knee flexion, extension, and mobility.
Following surgery, the patient was alert, experienced minimal pain, and was able to achieve 90 degrees of knee flexion and begin walking exercises within 24 hours. He is currently undergoing a specialized rehabilitation program at the hospital to further optimize recovery.
In addition to advanced surgical techniques, Hong Ngoc General Hospital has made substantial investments in internationally standardized facilities and medical technologies to maximize treatment outcomes and enhance patient safety. Its operating theaters feature a one way sterile workflow, HEPA filtered clean air systems, and positive pressure ventilation, meeting standards set by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and helping minimize the risk of postoperative infections.
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The hospital also implements the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program, combining individualized anesthesia plans with multimodal pain management strategies tailored to each patient. This approach helps provide effective pain control, reduces postoperative nausea and dizziness, and enables earlier mobilization after surgery.
In addition, comprehensive postoperative care and structured rehabilitation protocols are delivered to support recovery and help patients regain mobility as quickly as possible.
The collaboration between Professor Hiranaka Takafumi, MD, PhD, and Hong Ngoc General Hospital not only provides patients with access to high quality healthcare services delivered in accordance with international standards, but also reflects the growing stature and advancing capabilities of Vietnam’s healthcare sector within the region.
