Young-Jo Kim

Young-Jo Kim, MD, PhD is a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department at Boston Children's Hospital. He serves as Associate Chief of Clinical Operations, Director of the Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program, and Director of the Hip Preservation Fellowship. His clinical focus centers on pediatric and young adult hip disorders, with expertise in hip preservation surgeries including periacetabular osteotomy.

Dr. Kim's educational background includes:

• Medical School: Harvard Medical School (1994, Boston, MA)
• Internship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (1995, Boston, MA)
• Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program (1999, Boston, MA)
• Fellowship: Boston Children's Hospital (2000, Boston, MA)
• Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (2000, Dallas, TX)

Dr. Kim's research focuses on hip preservation techniques, particularly for pediatric and young adult patients with hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement. He has pioneered the use of delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) to assess subtle biochemical changes in hip cartilage following surgical interventions. His work bridges biomechanics, cartilage biology, and clinical orthopedics to develop better diagnostic and treatment approaches for hip disorders. He has established collaborations with leading researchers in cartilage imaging and has contributed significantly to understanding how mechanical forces affect cartilage biology in the hip joint.

Analysis of Dr. Kim's most recent publications reveals a strong focus on hip preservation surgery, particularly periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia. His research spans from basic science investigations of cartilage imaging techniques like dGEMRIC to clinical outcomes studies of surgical interventions. A significant portion of his work examines the relationship between hip anatomy (particularly acetabular and femoral morphology), cartilage health, and patient outcomes. His recent publications also demonstrate growing interest in computer adaptive testing for outcome measurement and the application of advanced imaging techniques to understand early osteoarthritis development.

Dr. Kim has received several prestigious awards throughout his career:

• Kappa Delta Award of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (1993)
• Harris Yett Award in General Surgery at the Beth Israel Hospital, Boston (1995)
• Kappa Delta Award, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (2007)

As Director of the Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program and Hip Preservation Fellowship, Dr. Kim mentors numerous orthopedic trainees and fellows. His research has been supported by various grants focused on hip imaging and preservation techniques. He serves on editorial boards for several prominent orthopedic journals including Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Orthopedic Reviews, and Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

Dr. Kim leads the Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program at Boston Children's Hospital, which specializes in innovative approaches to preserving hip joints in pediatric and young adult patients. The program focuses on conditions including hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Through this program, Dr. Kim has established a multidisciplinary team approach to hip preservation that integrates advanced imaging, biomechanical analysis, and surgical innovation to optimize outcomes for young patients facing hip disorders.