Hundreds of Experts Gather in Boao Lecheng to Unveil the Next Decade of Sports Medicine in China

With the in-depth advancement of the Healthy China strategy and the widespread adoption of nationwide fitness initiatives, sports medicine in China is ushering in a new wave of development.

Sports medicine is the fastest-growing segment within the orthopedics market, aiming to achieve maximal functional restoration with minimal trauma. According to data from Huajing Industry Research Institute, the market size of China’s sports medicine industry reached RMB 4.8 billion in 2022, indicating that the sector is in a stage of rapid development.

However, due to the late start of sports medicine in China and the fact that its healthcare system has not yet fully matured, the industry continues to face a series of challenges. Currently, imported brands account for nearly 90% of the sports medicine market share in China, resulting in intense competition. With the comprehensive implementation of centralized procurement for orthopedic products, how to better respond to market competition and drive product innovation to meet evolving market demands are critical questions that practitioners in China’s sports medicine industry must further address.

In this context, on October 26,The Opening Ceremony of the Joint Conference of APKASS 2024 and the 20th IFOSMA was Held at the Boao Forum for Asia International Convention Center.Experts, scholars, clinicians, and researchers from both China and abroad have convened to exchange and share the latest research findings and industry trends in sports medicine, aiming to address the aforementioned questions.

Conference Venue

Adhering to the core principles of sports medicine—"function first, early recovery, and return to sport"—the conference focused on current hotspots and challenges in sports medicine and arthroscopy. It provided a cutting-edge, professional, and productive platform for over 2,000 experts, scholars, and industry leaders from across the country and abroad, thereby facilitating the advancement of sports medicine in China.

APKASS is the leading academic organization in knee surgery, arthroscopy, and sports medicine in the Asia-Pacific region, representing the highest academic standards in this field within the region. The IFOSMA Congress (International Forum of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery) is currently the most influential brand conference in China’s sports medicine community and is an international congress certified by ISAKOS, the authoritative global organization.

Leveraging Boao’s unique position as a hub with special medical policy advantages, the merger of two prominent international sports medicine conferences not only connects Chinese experts, scholars, and clinicians in sports medicine with the latest global developments, but also creates a new platform for leading domestic and international sports medicine enterprises to share in China’s new opportunities for openness and the policy dividends of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

According to the organizers, the conference agenda included technical training, thematic seminars, and scholarly paper evaluations. A total of 60 specialized academic sessions were held across seven venues, featuring free and thematic presentations by more than 700 experts from various fields.

Notably, during the Master Forum session themed “The Next Decade of Orthopedic Sports Medicine,” eleven distinguished experts shared their perspectives on the current state and hot topics in orthopedic sports medicine. Drawing on their profound understanding of the discipline and extensive clinical experience, they envisioned future development trends in the field.

Experts at the conference stated that the future of orthopedic sports medicine will continue to evolve toward trends such as personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, data-driven decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With advancements in precision medicine technologies, orthopedic sports medicine will be able to provide customized treatment plans for each patient. Meanwhile, technological applications will become more widespread; for instance, developments in regenerative medicine will promote the repair of damaged tissues, while the integration of big data and artificial intelligence will help physicians and trainers make more precise decisions. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration will drive integrated innovation in this field, thereby enhancing athletic performance and ensuring sports safety.

China’s sports medicine sector is undergoing rapid development; however, with intensifying international competition and the comprehensive implementation of domestic centralized procurement policies, sports medicine enterprises are facing significant challenges. Promoting technological and product innovation, as well as cultivating talent teams, have become core issues that these enterprises urgently need to address.

“Sports medicine is not just for professional athletes; it encompasses a comprehensive medical system ranging from surgery to prevention, as well as treatment and rehabilitation. This field holds immense potential for development in China,” said Jin Yisheng, General Manager of Conmed Linvatec Asia, in a post-event interview.

The application of new materials in clinical implants, the development and promotion of novel surgical techniques, and the use of biotherapeutic technologies have significantly advanced medical technologies in sports medicine.

Jin Yisheng introduced a biocomposite material launched globally by Kangmei—the world’s first bio-ossicle capable of promoting soft tissue growth. This material not only provides early tensile strength and support but also facilitates cellular ingrowth. Jin Yisheng believes that implants and biomaterials represent a niche segment with substantial room for innovation within the field of sports medicine. Kangmei is focusing its efforts on these areas to meet market demand.

In addition to technological innovation, Jin Yisheng stated that Kangmei is also focused on advancing product innovation and supply chain collaboration. On one hand, the company is committed to equipment innovation, such as integrating the main unit into the display screen to meet the diverse needs of different hospitals. On the other hand, it is actively collaborating with domestic manufacturers. For instance, given the limited market size and serious product homogenization in the rigid endoscopy sector, Kangmei partners with Chinese manufacturers by supplying components and semi-finished products, enabling them to carry out assembly and production domestically. This collaborative model helps reduce resource waste and, in the long run, will increase the use of domestically produced components, thereby advancing the localization process.

In advancing the development of sports medicine, Arthrex not only focuses on product innovation but also places great emphasis on the training and education of sports medicine specialists.

Arthrex is a global leader in arthroscopy and sports medicine products, as well as a representative of strategic success in China’s national centralized procurement. In the fourth batch of national centralized procurement for high-value medical consumables in 2023, Arthrex bid on as many as 14 product categories, ranking first in this category and winning bids across all Class A groups. Meanwhile, eight of its products accounted for the top three in annual procurement demand within their respective groups, demonstrating the breadth of its product portfolio and the depth of its clinical application.

Enhancing physicians’ comprehensive competencies and professional skills in sports medicine enables the provision of superior medical care to patients. In an interview, Guo Qinghua, Head of Arthrex North China, stated, “Arthrex maintains close communication and collaboration with internationally renowned physicians to ensure its products are closely aligned with clinical needs, thereby meeting the specific requirements of different joints.”

In terms of products, Arthrex offers a comprehensive suite of solutions. In addition to equipment, it provides corresponding instruments and consumables for the knee, shoulder, ankle, and elbow joints.

Furthermore, given the stringent equipment requirements for minimally invasive surgery, particularly when operating in confined spaces such as joints, Arthrex has launched the SynergyUHD4 arthroscopic camera system. As the first fully 4K imported arthroscopic device to be marketed in China, it provides exceptionally clear surgical visualization, thereby enabling greater precision during surgical procedures.

Guo Qinghua believes that physician training and education are among the key factors driving Arthrex’s continuous development. “The company organizes numerous cadaveric workshops and academic conferences each year to help physicians enhance their skills from basic to advanced levels. Such training is crucial for doctors, as minimally invasive surgery requires extensive learning and hands-on practice,” said Guo Qinghua.

In this regard, Jin Yisheng also emphasized that the training of young physicians is particularly crucial for the Chinese market, as sports medicine requires doctors to master advanced techniques at an early stage. He further noted that the prime professional period for Chinese surgeons may occur earlier than their international counterparts, necessitating greater emphasis on the development of young physicians.

The joint conference of APKASS and IFOSMA held in Hainan Lecheng also carries special significance.

At the conference, a representative from the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration shared insights on “Policy Breakthroughs and Practices in Lecheng’s Pharmaceutical Sector under the Hainan Free Trade Port Framework.” She highlighted that Hainan serves as a vital bridge connecting China and ASEAN, the two largest and most dynamic economies globally. Aligning with the highest international standards for economic and trade policies, the Hainan Free Trade Port implements zero tariffs, along with a 15% corporate income tax rate and a 15% individual income tax rate, to attract businesses and individuals to invest and operate in Hainan. Furthermore, Hainan has introduced visa-free access for citizens of 59 countries and established over 100 international air routes, significantly enhancing international exchange and cooperation.

As a major functional platform for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has been committed to promoting development through reform, opening-up, and innovation. Since its establishment was approved by the State Council in 2013, Lecheng has been granted multiple special policies, including those for特许 drugs and medical devices. In 2018, the State Council further delegated approval authority to Hainan Province, compressing the approval process to 3–10 working days, which has greatly facilitated patient access to these specially permitted drugs and medical devices.

As of October 2024, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has seen the opening of 31 hospitals, completed the first-in-China use of over 440 types of urgently needed imported drugs and medical devices under special permits, and benefited more than 90,000 patient visits. Lecheng has established seven advantageous and key disciplines, such as sports medicine, introduced high-quality international medical resources, and formed a diversified, multi-tiered medical service system. Furthermore, Lecheng has established in-depth cooperative relationships with more than 170 pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises across 20 countries and regions. By leveraging policies such as “pilot trials,” it is conducting applied research on real-world data at the international forefront, exploring new tools, standards, and methods for the reform of China’s drug and medical device review and approval system.

Lecheng is building a fair platform for medical technology innovation—the Medical-Engineering Translation Platform—to facilitate the translation of clinical discoveries into clinical applications, develop an industrial fund incubator, and establish a full-chain industrial service platform. These measures aim to support and encourage clinicians, experts, and research teams to start from clinical needs and accelerate the transformation of innovative technological achievements into more internationally innovative pharmaceutical and medical device products.

As the only medical special zone in China, Boao Lecheng boasts a unique policy framework and operational pathway that facilitate the pilot implementation of international innovative technologies and products within the country. With Lecheng’s involvement, experts can accelerate the introduction of advanced global technologies and products into China, thereby serving a broader patient population and the general public.

In this regard, Jin Yisheng also stated in an interview that the policies in Boao Lecheng have provided the company with opportunities to enter the Chinese market earlier, while also facilitating the collection of real-world data to support subsequent product development and registration.

Furthermore, on August 29, the APKASS Hainan Training Center was officially inaugurated at Hainan General Hospital. As the first APKASS training center in China, it will focus on facilitating clinical technical exchanges and research collaboration among sports medicine physicians. By leveraging its geographical advantages, the center aims to promote the balanced development of sports medicine in Hainan and further expand its international influence.

The successful holding of this conference has further expanded Boao Lecheng’s channels for cooperation with international medical institutions and deepened its partnerships with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical and medical device companies. This will enable more targeted introduction of advanced international technologies that meet the demands of the Chinese market and hold clinical application value, thereby injecting new vitality into the development of sports medicine in China.