Teaming up across cultures to advance
knee surgery in China

U.S. orthopaedic surgeon Knute Buehler, M.D., travels to China regularly, teaching surgeons to use Stryker’s navigation systems for total knee replacement, which he helped develop. A recent six-day trip involved multiple lectures and live surgical demonstrations at seven hospitals. It also required knowledge and sensitivity regarding the local medical culture.

Little wonder that Dr. Buehler relies on Stryker’s Michael Yeh as his guide, interpreter and troubleshooter. The two have built a highly effective partnership based on the shared belief that their collaboration can enhance the quality of Chinese healthcare while creating opportunities to supply hospitals with our knee navigation systems.

Dr. Buehler stresses the importance of trust — both between patient and surgeon and among surgeons themselves — in bringing about the best outcomes. In fact, he calls his work “person-to-person diplomacy,” contributing to a greater understanding between the two countries. Clearly, he and Michael Yeh are natural ambassadors.