Center for Musculoskeletal Medicine

1. History of Establishment
The Center for Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, formerly known as the Department of Rheumatology, was founded on May 19, 1969. With nearly 60 years of construction and development, the Center has grown continuously to become the leading unit in the field of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal medicine in Vietnam.

2. Organizational Structure

• Director: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Hung, MD, PhD
• Vice Directors:
  • Tran Thi To Chau, MD, PhD
  • Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy, MD, PhD
  • Le Thi Lieu, MD, PhD
• Chief Nurse: Tran Thi Ngoc Xuyen, MSc, PhD (Nursing)

Staffing: The Center currently has 82 staff members, including 02 Associate Professors, 16 Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) and Level 2 Specialists, and 13 Masters of Medicine. The nursing and support staff include 43 nurses, 01 technician, 04 orderlies, and 02 medical secretaries.

Facilities:

Inpatient Unit: 82 hospital beds.
Outpatient Unit: 12 specialized clinics located across the On-demand Medical Examination area and the Routine Medical Examination area.
Functional Units (11 rooms): 04 Ultrasound rooms, 02 Joint Injection rooms, 02 Bone Density Scan (DEXA) rooms, 01 Electromyography (EMG) room, 01 Arthroscopy room, and 01 Kinesiotherapy (Exercise Therapy) room.

3. Functions and Missions
Functions:

• Medical examination and treatment according to national regulations.
• Training and scientific research.
• International cooperation.

Missions:

• Professional activities: Providing specialized diagnostics and treatment; performing advanced imaging and diagnostic procedures for musculoskeletal diseases; providing clinical guidance and professional support to lower-level medical facilities.
• Research & International Cooperation: Applying scientific achievements to clinical practice; conducting research at various levels; organizing and participating in national and international conferences; and collaborating with global organizations, hospitals, and universities for training and development.

4. Outstanding Activities and Techniques
Currently, the Center for Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Diseases at Bach Mai Hospital is one of the two largest specialized centers in Vietnam. It boasts a dedicated team of highly skilled, well-trained, and experienced experts, supported by advanced medical technology.

Key and Specialized Techniques:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy.
• Stem cell therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy.
• Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided interventions.
• Muscle biopsy, Electromyography (EMG), and electro-diagnostics.
• Joint injection and synovial fluid aspiration.
• Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition measurement.
• Rehabilitation and kinesiotherapy.

The Center is also a pioneer in scientific research and medical education, transferring professional knowledge and techniques to generations of physicians, including PhD candidates, Level 2 specialists, residents, and students from Hanoi Medical University, VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Bach Mai Medical College.