Greetings
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery treats pain and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, caring for patients from infants to older adults. As average life expectancy increases, more older adults experience limitations and require nursing care due to musculoskeletal conditions. We aim to extend healthy life expectancy so that people can live active and enjoyable lives. Our department specializes in spine and spinal cord disorders, hand surgery, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, knee disorders, bone and soft-tissue tumors, and—because we are part of a tertiary emergency hospital—severe trauma. Our clinicians select and provide treatments tailored to each patient’s condition and lifestyle. As a university hospital, with patient consent we present at scientific meetings and publish research to improve future care. Our orthopaedic team is dedicated to helping patients return to daily life and sports with a smile. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.
Director of plastic surgery Surgery
Daisuke Sakai
Treatment details
Orthopaedic Surgery addresses not only bones and joints but also the spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and ligaments. In addition to surgery, we provide a wide range of conservative (non-surgical) treatments, working closely with the Department of Rehabilitation.
We treat a diverse spectrum of conditions, including trauma, osteoarthritis, spinal disorders, inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis, age-related degenerative conditions, metabolic disorders, neuromuscular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and related diseases.
Tokai University Hospital is the only tertiary emergency hospital in western Kanagawa Prefecture and operates a Doctor-Heli air ambulance, so many patients with severe trauma are transported from both inside and outside the prefecture. Against this backdrop, our department performs approximately 1,850 specialized orthopaedic surgeries per year (spine: ~420, upper limb: ~580, lower limb: ~730, bone & soft-tissue tumor: ~120). Distinctive for a university hospital, we also handle a large number of trauma surgeries.
We care for many top athletes in judo, tennis, baseball, and rugby, and we are committed to advancing sports medicine.
We actively introduce cutting-edge technologies and provide safe, high-quality medical care using robot-assisted surgery, navigation systems, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and arthroscopic/endoscopic procedures for joints and the spine.
Whatever the situation, we provide care with sincerity and professionalism every day.
Main target diseases
Spinal and spinal cord diseases
Common conditions include lumbar disc herniation and spondylolisthesis, spinal deformities such as scoliosis, spinal cord tumors, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). We also treat spinal and spinal-cord trauma transported via the emergency center. Our team is staffed to manage the full spectrum of spinal disorders and injuries, with an emphasis on minimally invasive spinal surgery when appropriate.
joint disease
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Knee joint diseases and sports injuries
Many knee surgeries are due to sports injuries, including cruciate ligament injuries, meniscal tears, osteochondritis dissecans, and patellofemoral instability. We perform numerous total knee arthroplasties (TKA) for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. We also treat complex peri-articular injuries around the knee, using advanced external fixation when needed, and perform bone lengthening for large segmental long-bone defects as part of reconstructive treatment. -
Shoulder joint disease
We primarily use arthroscopy to treat adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and throwing-related shoulder injuries. For proximal humeral fractures and for rheumatoid or degenerative shoulder arthritis, we actively perform shoulder arthroplasty (reverse or hemi-arthroplasty according to indication). -
Hip joint disease
We mainly treat acetabular dysplasia, hip osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis of the femoral head. For young and middle-aged adults with these conditions, we perform periacetabular (rotational) osteotomy and femoral osteotomy as indicated; for older adults with advanced osteoarthritis, we perform total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Hand and elbow surgery, peripheral nerve diseases
We treat injuries and diseases of the soft tissues—including bones, joints, and peripheral nerves—from the elbow to the fingers. We perform minimally invasive, arthroscopy-assisted procedures for elbow and hand joint disorders such as triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions and osteochondritis dissecans.
Bone and soft tissue tumors
Because many bone and soft-tissue tumors are rare and require careful differential diagnosis, our department uses advanced imaging and collaborates closely with Pathology to establish precise tissue diagnoses and determine treatment plans that accurately distinguish benign from malignant lesions.
Main medical achievements
Spinal and spinal cord diseases
We perform microsurgical and endoscopic discectomy for disc herniation. For degenerative lumbar disease and scoliosis, we use modern instrumentation, CT-based navigation, and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) to achieve rational neural decompression, reliable fusion, and satisfactory deformity correction.
Surgery for spinal cord tumors—both extramedullary and intramedullary—has increased markedly in recent years, with excellent outcomes using microscopic techniques. For cervical myelopathy, we perform the Tokai University–style laminoplasty. Our team includes six JSSR-certified spine surgeons. Improvements in surgical techniques have significantly shortened postoperative immobilization; for cervical and lumbar procedures, ambulation from postoperative day 2 (POD2) is typical.
joint disease
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Knee joint diseases and sports injuries
Knee and ankle surgery is arthroscopy-first. For anterior cruciate ligament injuries, we primarily perform anatomic double-bundle reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon; in selected cases we perform anatomic bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) reconstruction. We also perform medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and ankle ligament reconstruction as indicated.For TKA, we use minimally invasive approaches (typical skin incision 7–10 cm), supporting early discharge (~2 weeks) and early return to activities; simultaneous bilateral TKA can be offered in selected cases.
Advanced Medical Care B (autologous cell-sheet cartilage regeneration): performed together with high tibial osteotomy for focal cartilage defects in knee osteoarthritis (partially self-pay under Japan’s scheme).
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy): autologous PRP is prepared from the patient’s blood and injected intra-articularly. This treatment aims to reduce pain, suppress synovial inflammation, and inhibit cartilage degradation in the knee, shoulder, and hip. We have performed approximately 100 such procedures.
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Shoulder joint disease
It is now recognized that cases labeled “frozen shoulder” may include rotator cuff tears and instability, which require careful diagnosis and treatment. With the recent rise in sports participation, we also treat shoulder injuries in throwing athletes. Using ultrasonography and MRI, we perform labral repair and capsular plication for instability, with a recurrence rate ≤5% and ~80% return-to-sport. Arthroscopic surgery is central to the management of many shoulder disorders. For markedly displaced comminuted proximal humeral fractures, we perform shoulder arthroplasty, achieving early and favorable outcomes. We also perform total shoulder arthroplasty for rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis with good results. -
Hip joint disease
For periacetabular osteotomy and femoral varus/valgus/derotation osteotomy as well as THA, we employ autologous blood donation/transfusion. In PAO, we use bioabsorbable screws, avoiding routine hardware removal. After THA, we expedite rehabilitation, aiming for discharge at ~3 weeks. To detect developmental dysplasia of the hip early, all newborns at our hospital undergo neonatal and 3-month screening; >90% are corrected with outpatient bracing, while refractory cases undergo traction or surgery.
Hand and elbow surgery, peripheral nerve diseases
For distal radius fractures, we perform fixation with locking plates and begin early wrist rehabilitation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated as day surgery under local anesthesia. For peripheral nerve injuries of the limbs, we perform microsurgical repair or nerve grafting.
Bone and soft tissue tumors
Treatment of malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors is multidisciplinary, combining surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy when indicated, which has significantly improved prognosis. We aim for limb preservation and functional reconstruction. Collaboration with other departments is excellent, enabling comprehensive team-based care.
Doctor List
Department Chief: Daisuke Sakai
Ward 9B Chief Physician: Taku Ukai
Assistant Chief Physician of Ward 9B: Satoshi Nomura
Clinical department URL: https://www.fuzoku-hosp.tokai.ac.jp/service/seikei-geka/
http://ortho.med.u-tokai.ac.jp/
Outpatient: 0463 (93) 1121 extension 6441
Professor Masahiko Watanabe
| Specialization | Spine and spinal cord surgery, spinal tumors |
|---|---|
| Specialist | plastic surgery Specialist/Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Spinal cord tumors, cervical, thoracic and lumbar degenerative diseases |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday |
Professor Masato Sato
| Specialization | Spine and spinal cord surgery, joint surgery |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Specialist plastic surgery / Specialist and Supervisor of the Japanese Rheumatology Association / Specialist in Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery |
| Specialized Areas | Cervical and lumbar degenerative diseases, osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday |
Professor Daisuke Sakai
| Specialization | Spine, spinal surgery, spinal tumors, Sports medicine |
|---|---|
| Specialist | plastic surgery Specialist/Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Spinal deformity (scoliosis), cervical and lumbar degenerative diseases, sports medicine |
Associate Professor Hiroyuki Kato
| Specialization | Spine and spinal cord surgery, spinal trauma, spinal tumors |
|---|---|
| Specialist | plastic surgery Specialist/Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment for cervical and lumbar degenerative diseases, minimally invasive spinal surgery |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday |
Associate Professor Akihiko Hiyama
| Specialization | Spine and spinal cord surgery, spinal trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | plastic surgery Specialist/Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Degenerative cervical and lumbar spine diseases, surgical treatment and reconstruction for spinal trauma, spinal deformity (scoliosis), minimally invasive spine surgery |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday |
Lecturer Shinji Yoshida
| Specialization | Hand surgery |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Specialist plastic surgery |
| Specialized Areas | Hand surgery, elbow joint surgery, upper limb trauma, surgical treatment of diseases, reconstructive surgery |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday |
Lecturer: Taku Ukai
| Specialization | Bone and joint trauma, lower limb joint surgery |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Specialist plastic surgery |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment and reconstruction for bone and joint trauma, pelvic fractures, and degenerative hip joint disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday |
Lecturer: Takeshi Imai
| Specialization | Shoulder joint surgery, bone and joint surgery/trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment and reconstruction for shoulder instability (dislocation, subluxation), rotator cuff tears, sports injuries, and bone and joint injuries |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday |
Lecturer Yasuyuki Sogo
| Specialization | Lower limb joint surgery, bone and joint trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Knee ligament injuries, knee arthroplasty for various arthropathy, artificial joint replacement, surgical treatment for severe lower limb injuries |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday |
Lecturer Satoshi Nomura
| Specialization | Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment and reconstruction for cervical and lumbar degenerative diseases and spinal trauma |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday |
Lecturer Kosuke Morita
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Hand surgery, bone and joint trauma, surgical treatment for trauma |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday |
Daisuke Nakajima
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Hand surgery, bone and joint trauma, surgical treatment for trauma |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday |
Shiho Wasai
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Shoulder surgery, joint trauma, surgical treatment for trauma, sports medicine |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday |
Akira Nomura
| Specialization | Bone and soft tissue tumors |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday |
Keiko Okada
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment for bone and joint injuries |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday |
Assistant Professor Nobuaki Hattori
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment for spinal disorders, bone and joint injuries, and trauma |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday |
Makoto Ogawa
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment for bone and joint injuries |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday |
Ryosei Yamamoto
| Specialization | Bone and joint surgery, trauma |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese plastic surgery Specialist |
| Specialized Areas | Surgical treatment for bone and joint injuries |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday |