“Tailored & high-quality” rehabilitation
[Conservative therapy]

The Center places a great emphasis on rehabilitation therapy. Indeed, a majority of sports injuries can be improved through rehabilitation alone. We accept a wide range of patients—from primary and junior high school students to middle-aged and senior citizens, and from recreational exercise lovers to high-performance athletes—and provide “tailored & high-quality” rehabilitation according to individual physical conditions and abilities. Because pain in the shoulder or knee experienced by middle-aged and senior citizens is mainly caused by improper posture (malposture) or muscle deterioration, stress on the joint and the resulting pain can be alleviated through adjustment of the entire body in a rehabilitation program.

Surgeries that pose only a small burden on the body
[Surgical treatment]

For patients whose ailments are difficult to treat with rehabilitation or medication alone and require surgical treatment, we make it a rule to choose the least invasive operative method possible. At the Center, arthroscopic procedures are available for every joint of the body. By selecting less invasive procedures centered on arthroscopic surgeries, patients are likely to experience less postoperative pain and be able to resume sports activities or the activities of daily living at an early date.

What is an arthroscope?

The disadvantage of a conventional joint surgery is that it requires a large incision, which damages surrounding healthy tissues. Therefore, such surgery imposes a heavy burden on the patient and increases the time required for recovery.
With recent advancements in arthroscopic surgical technology, it has become possible for doctors to perform joint surgery only with an incision as tiny as 5mm in a safe and highly precise fashion.
Our hospital introduced a state-of-the-art arthroscope (with a 4K high resolution screen) in April 2017 for more precise joint surgeries.

A majority of shoulder and elbow ailments, and sports disorders respond well to conservative therapy centered on rehabilitation. However, severe cases that accompany a tear of the tendon or ligament tend not to recover to a satisfactory level with conservative therapy alone. In such cases, we repair the damaged region by selecting a safe and secure procedure that imposes a minimal burden on the body.
The following table shows all cases of shoulder and joint surgeries performed in one year at the Center:

Our record of shoulder and elbow surgeries performed in fiscal 2022
(from January through December 2022)(Okubo Hospital + related facilities)

Click here for surgical cases not mentioned above » Orthopedic surgery: “Number of operative cases”

Dual treatment is possible based on both sports orthopedics and internal sports medicine.

The Center also has the department of “internal sports medicine” that focuses on the prevention and treatment of internal problems incurred by exercise or sports. In conjunction with an orthopedic approach, our physicians treat sports-related internal ailments of athletes and exercise lovers in a comprehensive manner to return them to good physical condition and improve performance to enable them to continue engaging in the sports activities they enjoy.
[Ailments frequently observed in internal sports medicine]
　● Sports anemia　● Exercise-induced asthma ● Absence of menstruation, etc.

Close collaboration with other departments

Close coordination with other departments enables us to treat patients with coexisting illnesses involving internal organs or cardiovascular issues in a consecutive manner before hospitalization for surgery.
Range of medical treatment: internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, digestive medicine, diabetic medicine, respiratory medicine, etc.

Community-based medical practice

With the goal of providing community-based medical treatment, the Center specializes in sports-related orthopedics and joint surgery. It is inconvenient for residents to visit a faraway medical facility, the availability of specialized orthopedic treatment right here in Akashi City alleviates the need for local residents to travel to facilities located in other cities.

The following are examples of feedback from patients who received care at the center. (It should be noted that these are individual opinions and comments, and do not necessarily warrant the effectiveness of a specific surgical procedure.)

• Patient K. (a message from his mother) [shoulder joint]

  Considering my son’s feelings first, Dr. Tachihara gave us a clear explanation so that we could trust and rely on him.

  Reading text

• Patient M. [shoulder joint]

  I feel almost no pain now. While enjoying small talks with my physical therapists, I was able to go through a course of rehabilitation in a comfortable atmosphere.

  Reading text

• Patient E. [shoulder joint]

  I started to swing my tennis racket for a short time three months after the operation. Now, nine months postoperatively, I became able to play tennis without any trouble.

  Reading text

• Patient H. [shoulder joint]

  Before receiving the operation, I could not play with all my strength because I was afraid that my joint might get dislocated. But after the operation, I became able to play fully so I was very much satisfied with the result.

  Reading text

• Mr. Masayoshi Hanada　[shoulder joint]

  Now I do not have to worry about the possibility of a joint dislocation at all, and I enjoy taking photos while I’m jumping around on my snowboard as before, sometimes falling off the board and even getting a scratch on my body!

  Reading text

• Patient E. [internal sports medicine]

  I became conscious of my body at a higher level because my doctor told me how important it was to know about my internal organs to enhance my performance.

  Reading text

• Patient H. (a track and field athlete belonging to a company) [internal sports medicine]

  Not to mention the activities of daily living, the doctor and his team supported me emphatically to enhance my athletic performance.

  Reading text

• Outpatient clinic for shoulder and elbow joints

  

  Hisayoshi Tachihara (Director of the Center)

  • Go to Hisayoshi Tachihara’s virtual clinic
    
  • For individuals suffering from shoulder pain”

  [Year of graduation]

  1999

  [Fields of specialization]

  Shoulder and elbow disorders, sports orthopedic surgery, artificial joints

  [Board certified member, medical specialist]

  Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  Medical specialist of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Musculoskeletal rehabilitation physician certified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Sport physician certified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association

  [Messages to patients]

  Many patients overwork themselves without noticing slight abnormalities in their bodies (for example, a stiff or weak muscle around the shoulder blade or the pelvis), eventually developing into shoulder or lower back pain. In particular, this is frequently the case with sports injury patients who do not recognize any abnormalities in their body and fail to stay in good shape. At the Center, we identify abnormalities (the cause of pain), which patients tend to overlook, and provide treatment centered on physical therapy. Specifically, for disorders of the shoulder or the elbow caused by pitching, we work to help patients to return to sporting activities and even improve their performance in collaboration with a physical therapist specializing in sports injuries. For patients whose disorders are difficult to treat with medication or physical therapy alone, we perform detailed examinations, including MRI testing, and if required, conduct minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopic surgery so that they can resume their activities of daily living or sports as early as possible.

• 
  Souichirou Kitayama (Vice director of the Center)

  Souichirou Kitayama (part-time doctor)

  [Year of graduation]

  2001

  [Fields of specialization]

  Shoulder and elbow joints

  [Board certified member, medical specialist]

  Medical specialist of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  Former team doctor for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (a professional baseball team in Japan)

  [Messages to patients]

  I specialize in the treatment of shoulder and elbow joint disorders. A large number of middle-aged and older persons who have pain in the shoulder joint tend to leave it untreated thinking that it is only a frozen or stiff shoulder due to age and will disappear sooner or later. But there are a number of pathological conditions that can cause shoulder pain. Some patients leave it untreated and end up visiting the doctor only after their ailments become very severe and they can no longer can be operated on. Some younger patients who actively engage in sports activities develop a pain or ailment of the shoulder or elbow joint. Such young patients can expect a complete cure through rehabilitation without the need for a long break from their sport if they seek treatment as early as possible. You should not leave pain in your shoulder or elbow unchecked. We have experienced rehabilitation staffers and a complete treatment system at the Center. Please do not hesitate to consult us.

• Outpatient treatment for hip/knee/ankle joints

  

  Yasuo Onishi (part-time doctor)

  • Click here to know about a knee pain and treatment procedures
    

  [Year of graduation]

  2004

  [Fields of specialization]

  Sports-related arthroscopic surgery, knee osteotomy, artificial joints, sports-derived external injuries and disorders, sports medicine

  [Board certified member, medical specialist]

  Medical specialist of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Rheumatologist certified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Doctor of spine and spinal cord disorders certified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Rehabilitation doctor certified by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
  Sports doctor of the Japan Sports Association
  A member of the Japanese Olympic Committee training staff
  Doctor of Medicine (MD)

  [Messages to patients]

  I was born and raised here in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, and entered Kobe University to become a doctor. I belonged to soccer teams throughout my high school and college days, playing with all my heart as a forward, and I suffered from countless injuries.

  After becoming a doctor, my role switched and as a specialist who supports soccer players and other athletes, I give my best every day with a great interest in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries.

  With the intention of making whatever contribution I can to the local community of my hometown, Akashi, I decided to joined the Center and apply my knowledge and experience. I am committed to providing the best treatment possible, so please feel free to consult me.

• Internal sports medicine

  

  Tomoyuki Hara (part-time doctor)

  [Year of graduation]

  2015

  [Fields of specialization]

  Internal sports medicine, gynecology

  [Board certified member, medical specialist]

  Member of the Sports Internal Medicine Japan
  Board certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

  [Messages to patients]

  Specializing in sports medicine and gynecology, I provide care to athletes over a wide range of ages and levels. Athletes undergo strenuous training to excel; and if not monitored carefully, these demanding regimens can lead to such problems as sports anemia, exercise-induced asthma, amenorrhea and over-training syndrome. My practice prioritizes early and accurate diagnosis of these and other conditions for effective treatment that leads to improved performance.

• Rehabilitation

  

  Masaki Yamamoto (part-time physical therapist)

  [Year of graduation]

  1994

  [Fields of specialization]

  Orthopedic physical therapy

  [Qualifications, etc.]

  Musculoskeletal physical therapist certified by the Japanese Physical Therapy Association
  Member of the board of directors of the Society for Rehabilitation of Orthopedics

  [Messages to patients]

  A large number of sports-induced injuries and disorders are observed over a wide age range throughout the country; but at present, systems for providing rehabilitation to those patients are insufficient. At our hospital, we provide a high-quality course of rehabilitation so that patients will be able to return to their sports activities in better physical condition and achieve an even higher level of physical abilities than before the injury. At the same time, we place an emphasis on the prevention of sports-induced injuries/ disorders and the promotion of good health.

Dr. Tachihara & Dr. Kitayama：Shoulder/elbow disorders, sports disorders of the upper extremities
Dr. Onishi：Hip joint/knee/ankle disorders, sports disorders of the lower extremities
Knee specialist：Knee disorders, sports disorders of the lower extremities

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