Post-doctoral Researcher · Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

Dr. CAO Mingde

曹明德

Musculoskeletal Disease Research | Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis | Orthopaedics

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

About Me

Dr. CAO Mingde

Dr. CAO Mingde

Post-doctoral Researcher

Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

I am a post-doctoral researcher at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), specializing in musculoskeletal diseases with a particular focus on post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and joint biology.

My research integrates basic science and clinical approaches to elucidate novel pathogenic mechanisms of PTOA, identify therapeutic targets, and translate findings into clinical applications. I employ a comprehensive methodology including in vitro cell experiments, animal models, bioinformatics, and clinical studies.

My work spans synovial lymphatic dysfunction, ACL reconstruction and graft healing, intra-articular drug delivery, macrophage/immune modulation, and the application of large language models in orthopaedic patient education. I also have broad clinical research experience covering fracture management, sports medicine, and joint arthroplasty.

26 Publications
7+ Years Research
3 Degrees
2 PI Grants

Education & Training

Current Position
2023 – Present

Post-doctoral Researcher

Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Continuing research on musculoskeletal diseases, PTOA pathogenesis, synovial lymphatic function, ACL reconstruction biology, and intra-articular drug delivery at one of Asia's premier research institutions.

PhD
2020 – 2023

Doctor of Philosophy in Orthopaedics

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Doctoral research focused on post-traumatic osteoarthritis pathogenesis, investigating synovial lymphatic drainage dysfunction, ACL graft healing (doxycycline model), and disease-modifying treatment strategies.

Master's
2017 – 2020

Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics)

Department of Orthopaedics

Sun Yat-sen University

Graduate training in orthopaedic surgery with research components, including work on proximal femoral nail extraction techniques, spinal surgery corridors, and osteosarcoma immune prognosis.

Bachelor's
2012 – 2017

Bachelor of Medicine (Clinical Medicine)

School of Clinical Medicine

Southern Medical University

Comprehensive medical training covering clinical medicine fundamentals, anatomy, physiology, and clinical practice rotations across major medical specialties.

Research

My research focuses on musculoskeletal diseases, particularly post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) pathogenesis, therapeutic targets, and clinical translation.

Research Interests

Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

Elucidating novel PTOA pathogenic mechanisms following joint trauma including ACL injury, chondrocyte death pathways, and cartilage–synovium crosstalk.

Synovial Lymphatic Function

Investigating early-stage impaired synovial lymphatic drainage in PTOA and its role in joint inflammation, using non-invasive ACL rupture models.

ACL Reconstruction Biology

Exploring biological modulations to facilitate graft healing post-ACLR, including doxycycline therapy and neuromuscular recovery assessment.

Immune & Macrophage Biology

Studying macrophage polarization, adaptive immunity, and regulatory T-cell targeted therapy as strategies to modulate OA progression.

Intra-articular Drug Delivery

Developing intra-articular sustained-release systems (e.g., pirfenidone-loaded biomaterials) as disease-modifying treatments for early OA.

AI in Orthopaedics

Evaluating large language models (ChatGPT, Perplexity) for answering common patient questions about osteoarthritis and sport health science.

Methodologies

In vitro cell experiments
Animal models (mice/rat)
Bioinformatics analysis
Transcriptomic analysis
Single-cell RNA sequencing
Network pharmacology
Clinical study design
Orthopaedic imaging analysis
Systematic review & meta-analysis
LLM evaluation studies
Biomaterial fabrication
Randomized controlled trials

Research Grants

CUHK Direct Grant 2023

Elucidating the role of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA)

CUHK Direct Grant 2022

Elucidating the role and the therapeutic potential of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA)

Publications

Full peer-reviewed publication list (26 papers). Cao M / Cao, Mingde highlighted in each entry.

2026

Blockage of osteopontin‐integrin β3 signaling in infrapatellar fat pad attenuates osteoarthritis in mice

Dai B, Zhu Y, Li X, Liang Z, Xu S, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Bai S, Tong W, Cao M, et al.

Advanced Science · 10(22):2300897

OA
2026

Associations of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity With Sleep Disorders in Patients With Osteoarthritis: The Mediating Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers

Luo B, Chen R, Huang Z, Zhang S, Chen Y, Cao M, Kong L, Wu X, Guo Q, Ouyang Y, et al.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open · 100756

OA
2026

GsMTx4-loaded GelMA promotes tendon regeneration and suppresses heterotopic ossification via the Apelin signaling pathway

Lei L, Wen Z, Zhang X, Zhang H, Luo Y, Guo J, Cao M, Yao H, Fu BS, Tong W, et al.

Biomaterials · 324:123507

Clinical
2025

Large language models' performances regarding common patient questions about osteoarthritis: A comparative analysis of ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4.0, and perplexity

Cao M, Wang Q, Zhang X, Liang Z, Qiu J, Yung PSH, Ong MTY.

Journal of Sport and Health Science · 14:101016

OAReview
2025

Superior Capsule Reconstruction Graft Selection: The Influence of Biological Properties of Grafts on Healing and Re-Tearing

Cao M, Bi M, Yuan S, Wu Y, Yung PSH, Ong MTY.

Bioengineering · 12(9):942

Clinical
2025

Adaptive immunity in osteoarthritis: Mechanisms and opportunities for regulatory T-cell–targeted therapy

Zhang X, Cao M, Fu BS, Wang JQ, Ong MTY, Yung PSH.

Pharmacological Research · 108041

OAReview
2025

Robotic‐assisted burr preparation significantly improves cement penetration but not immediate fixation strength in total knee arthroplasty

Ong MTY, Yu M, Cao M, Yee DKH, Ho KKW, Man GCW, Bi M, Ng J, Xu J, Griffith J, et al.

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Clinical
2025

Five Weeks of Whole-body Vibration in Prehabilitation for Knee Function Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Qiu J, Ong MTY, Choi CY, Cao M, Ko VMC, He X, Fu SC, Fong DTP, Yung PSH.

Sports Medicine-Open · 11(1):1–12

ACL
2024

Serum vitamin D insufficiency is correlated with quadriceps neuromuscular functions in patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury: A preliminary study

Qiu J, Choi CY, Man GCW, He X, Yu M, Cao M, Wang Q, Ng JP, Yung PSH, Ong MTY.

Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology · 35:76–80

ACLClinical
2024

Intra-articular sustained-release of pirfenidone as a disease-modifying treatment for early osteoarthritis

Zhu X, Cao M, Li K, Chan YT, Chan HF, Mak YW, Yao H, Sun J, Ong MTY, Ho KKW, et al.

Bioactive Materials · 39:255–272

OA
2024

The emerging role of Piezo1 in the musculoskeletal system and disease

Lei L, Wen Z, Cao M, Zhang H, Ling SKK, Fu BS, Qin L, Xu J, Yung PSH.

Theranostics · 14(10):3963

Review
2023

Doxycycline Promotes Graft Healing and Attenuates Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Rat Model

Cao M, Yao S, Zhu X, Ong MTY, Yung PSH, Jiang Y.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine · 51(2):461–475

ACLOA
2023

Comparative short-term effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Ko VMC, Cao M, Qiu J, Fong ICK, Fu SC, Yung PSH, Ling SKK.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · 24(1):102

ClinicalReview
2023

EARLY-STAGE IMPAIRED SYNOVIAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE FUNCTION IN A NONINVASIVE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE MICE MODEL

Cao M, Zhu X, Ong MT, Yung PS, Jiang Y.

Orthopaedic Proceedings · 105(SUPP_9):45–45

OA
2023

What is the optimal dose of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment for knee osteoarthritis? A conventional and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Huang Z, Zhang S, Cao M, Lin Z, Kong L, Wu X, Guo Q, Ouyang Y, Song Y.

Stem Cell Research & Therapy · 14(1):245

OAReview
2022

Role of synovial lymphatic function in osteoarthritis

Cao M, Ong MTY, Yung PSH, Tuan RS, Jiang Y.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

OAReview
2021

Effects of deficits in the neuromuscular and mechanical properties of the quadriceps and hamstrings on single-leg hop performance and dynamic knee stability in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

He X, Qiu J, Cao M, Ho YC, Leong HT, Fu SC, Ong MTY, Fong DTP, Yung PSH.

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · 10(1):23259671211063893

ACL
2021

Biological modulations to facilitate graft healing in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), when and where to apply? A systematic review

Yao SY, Cao MD, He X, Fu BS, Yung PSH.

Journal of Orthopaedic Translation · 30:51–60

ACLReview
2021

Letter to the Editor regarding Anil et al: "Surgical treatment for long head of the biceps tendinopathy: a network meta-analysis"

Cao MD, Song YC, Lu HD.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · 30(1):e34–e35

Clinical
2021

DALYs for breast cancer in China, 2000–2050: trend analysis and prediction based on GBD 2019

Yan XX, Li YJ, Cao MD, Wang H, Liu CC, Wang X, Ran JC, Liang L, Lei L, Peng J, et al.

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi · 42(12):2156–2163

Clinical
2020

A succinct technique for the extraction of the proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) after unlocking failure: a case report

Cao MD, Yang ZM, Lu HD.

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 15:1–4

Clinical
2020

A technique for the extraction of the Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) after unlocking failure

Cao M, Yang ZM, Lu HD.

Conference Proceedings · 2020

Clinical
2020

The OLIF working corridor based on magnetic resonance imaging: a retrospective research

Wang Z, Liu L, Xu XH, Cao MD, Lu H, Zhang KB.

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 15:1–8

Clinical
2020

Identification and development of a novel 4-gene immune-related signature to predict osteosarcoma prognosis

Cao M, Zhang J, Xu H, Lin Z, Chang H, Wang Y, Huang X, Chen X, Wang H, Song Y.

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences · 7:608368

Clinical
2020

A case study on China's carbon emission trading system: experiences and recommendations

Cao M.

Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law · 23(2):106–135

Other

For a complete and up-to-date publication list, please visit Google Scholar or ResearchGate.

Awards & Honors

2023

JEO Research & Editorial Fellowship

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics – Competitive fellowship for outstanding early-career orthopaedic researchers.

2023

CUHK Direct Grant (Principal Investigator)

Research on mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (HK$ 100,000).

2022

CUHK Direct Grant (Principal Investigator)

Research on PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (HK$ 100,000).

2020–2023

CUHK PhD Scholarship

Full scholarship for doctoral studies in Orthopaedics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Contact

I welcome collaborations, discussions, and inquiries related to my research.

Institution

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Faculty of Medicine

Department

Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

Prince of Wales Hospital

Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology

Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin

New Territories, Hong Kong SAR

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