China's Top Departments: Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
A National Key Clinical Specialty since 1956, the Orthopedics Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University leads northwest China with 5,000+ surgeries annually across spine, joint, trauma, and bone tumor subspecialties, and is a pilot unit for ERAS Orthopedics under the National Health Commission. Here's what international patients should know.
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Short answer:A National Key Clinical Specialty since 1956, the Orthopedics Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University leads northwest China with 5,000+ surgeries annually across spine, joint, trauma, and bone tumor subspecialties, and is a pilot unit for ERAS Orthopedics under the National Health Commission. Here's what international patients should know.
Key points
- National Key Clinical Specialty (since 1956)
- 5,000+ surgeries annually — leads northwest China
- NHC pilot unit for ERAS Orthopedics
- 98 healthcare professionals, 26 senior specialists
If you're facing a complex orthopedic condition — spinal deformity, advanced joint disease requiring replacement, difficult fracture, or bone tumor — the Department of Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University is the leading center in northwest China. Established in 1956, it is a National Key Clinical Specialty and a Shaanxi Provincial Key Discipline, with comprehensive strength that leads the entire northwest region.
The department is also a pilot unit for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Orthopedics under the National Health Commission, meaning its perioperative protocols meet the highest national standards for safety and recovery. With 98 healthcare professionals (including 26 senior specialists) and over 5,000 surgeries annually across spine, joint, trauma, and bone tumor subspecialties, it is the referral destination for the most challenging orthopedic cases in the region.
At Medora, we've helped international patients navigate this department for conditions ranging from complex spinal surgery to joint replacement and bone tumor treatment. Here's what you need to know.
About the Hospital
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hospital Name | First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTUFAH) |
| Hospital Grade | Grade III Class A General Hospital (Top-Tier) |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Fudan Ranking | Top 100 comprehensive hospitals nationally |
| Special Status | National Regional Medical Center output hospital |
| Affiliation | Directly under the National Health Commission |
Address: No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Meet the Experts
Department Director: Prof. YIN Zhanhai — Chief Physician, Professor. Expert in shoulder disorders, arthroscopic surgery, and sports injuries.
Key Specialists
| Name | Title | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| MA Wei | Chief Physician, Professor | Cervical spondylosis, spinal deformities |
| YIN Zhanhai | Chief Physician, Professor | Shoulder disorders, arthroscopic surgery, sports injuries |
| WANG Jintang | Chief Physician, Professor | Limb/spine trauma, deformity correction, joint replacement |
| WANG Min | Chief Physician, Professor | Spine and joint surgery |
| ZHANG Xiaowei | Chief Physician, Professor | Spine surgery, minimally invasive spine |
| REN Zhiwei | Associate Chief Physician | Spine minimally invasive surgery (PELD, MIS-TLIF) |
| LI Meng | Associate Chief Physician | Minimally invasive limb/pelvic trauma, digital orthopedics (3D printing) |
Team composition: 98 healthcare professionals, 26 with senior professional titles, 132 beds.
Core Clinical Strengths
1. Spine Surgery — Comprehensive & Minimally Invasive
- Cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, scoliosis
- Spinal fractures, spinal tumors, spinal tuberculosis
- Anterior-posterior combined occipitocervical fusion for atlantoaxial dislocation
- Minimally invasive spine surgery: PELD (percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy), OLIF (oblique lateral interbody fusion), MIS-TLIF (minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion)
- Vertebroplasty
2. Sports Medicine & Joint Surgery — Full-Spectrum Arthroscopy
- Arthroscopic surgery for shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle
- Rotator cuff repair, shoulder dislocation, patellar dislocation
- Cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair
- High tibial osteotomy (HTO), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA)
- Complex total hip/knee arthroplasty
- Avascular necrosis of femoral head treatment
3. Orthopedic Trauma — ERAS Pioneer
- Minimally invasive surgery for limb fractures and dislocations
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for critical trauma — the department is a NHC pilot unit
- Comprehensive management of osteoporotic fractures
4. Bone Tumor Oncology
- Standardized treatment of malignant bone tumors
- Limb-salvage surgery
- Microwave ablation for bone tumors
Advanced Equipment
The department is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for precision surgery:
- Medtronic "O-arm" navigation system — real-time 3D intraoperative imaging
- Philips "C-arm" X-ray fluoroscopy — intraoperative guidance
- Smith & Nephew arthroscopy system — for joint surgery
- SPINENDOS spinal endoscopy & minimally invasive system — for spine procedures
- Zeiss surgical microscope — microsurgery
- Intraoperative spinal cord monitoring system — neuroprotection during spine surgery
- Ultrasonic bone scalpel — precision bone cutting
Clinical Volume
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Annual surgeries | 5,000+ |
| Beds | 132 |
| Senior specialists | 26 |
| Total healthcare staff | 98 |
| Subspecialties covered | Spine, Joint, Trauma, Bone Tumor |
Research & Education
- 17 research projects including National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants
- 60+ high-impact SCI papers and publications in top Chinese medical journals
- National Standardized Residency Training Base for orthopedics
What International Patients Should Know
Language & Support
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University is a major medical center serving Northwest China and Central Asian patients. For orthopedic surgery — where precise communication about pain patterns, mobility limitations, and rehabilitation goals is critical — we strongly recommend working with a bilingual medical coordinator who can ensure nothing is lost in translation.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made through the hospital website, WeChat official account, or through a medical coordinator
- Emergency: The department participates in 24/7 orthopedic emergency care for fractures and trauma
- Subspecialty Clinics: Spine Surgery, Joint Surgery, Sports Medicine, Trauma, Bone Tumor
- For complex orthopedic cases requiring surgery, the typical timeline from initial consultation to surgery is 1–3 weeks
Cost Estimates
Orthopedic surgery costs vary significantly based on procedure complexity and implants used. Here are general ranges:
| Service | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial orthopedic consultation | ¥200–500 | $28–70 |
| Expert consultation (chief physician) | ¥300–800 | $42–110 |
| MRI / CT scan | ¥800–2,500 | $110–350 |
| Minimally invasive spine surgery (PELD/MIS-TLIF) | ¥30,000–60,000 | $4,200–8,400 |
| Complex spine surgery (deformity correction) | ¥60,000–150,000 | $8,400–21,000 |
| Arthroscopic surgery (knee/shoulder) | ¥15,000–40,000 | $2,100–5,600 |
| Total joint replacement (hip/knee) | ¥40,000–100,000 | $5,600–14,000 |
| Bone tumor surgery (limb salvage) | ¥50,000–150,000 | $7,000–21,000 |
| Vertebroplasty | ¥20,000–40,000 | $2,800–5,600 |
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on procedure complexity, implants used, and length of hospitalization.
Getting There
- Address: No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Tel: +86-29-85323338 (Switchboard) / +86-29-85323112 (Outpatient)
- Xi'an is a major transportation hub in Northwest China with direct international flights from Central Asian countries
How Medora Can Help
Orthopedic surgery is a high-stakes decision where implant choice and surgeon experience directly affect your long-term mobility and quality of life. Medora ensures you're connected with the right team and fully supported throughout:
- Expert Department Matching: We confirm that this department is the right fit for your specific condition — whether it's spinal deformity, advanced joint disease, complex fracture, or bone tumor
- Subspecialty Alignment: The department has distinct teams for spine, joint, trauma, sports medicine, and bone tumors. We match you with the team that handles your exact condition — so you see the surgeon who performs your procedure most often
- Medical Record Preparation: Orthopedic consultations require detailed imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray), prior surgical records, and functional assessments. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your case efficiently before you arrive
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly with the department, ensuring your consultation is with the appropriate subspecialty surgeon
- Certified Medical Translation: Orthopedic discussions involve complex anatomy, implant options, surgical risks, and rehabilitation plans. Our medical translators ensure you understand every detail
- End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup in Xi'an to hotel arrangement near the hospital, interpreter presence during consultations, and post-operative rehabilitation coordination, we manage logistics so you can focus on recovery
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: Hospital website, WeChat official account, or through medical coordinator
- Emergency: 24/7 orthopedic emergency care for fractures and trauma
- Subspecialty Clinics: Spine Surgery, Joint Surgery, Sports Medicine, Trauma, Bone Tumor
- Address: No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Tel: +86-29-85323338 (Switchboard) / +86-29-85323112 (Outpatient)
Ready to explore orthopedic treatment options at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University? Contact Medora for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your orthopedic condition and imaging, connect you with the right subspecialty surgeon, and coordinate your entire journey — from medical record translation to post-operative rehabilitation.
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