Hand and Wrist, Elbow
Dr. Kang is one of a few fellowship-trained hand surgeons on the Eastern Shore. This small, elite group has earned a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Hand surgery is a holistic venture, merging orthopaedics, neurology, microsurgery and plastic surgery. As a hand specialist, Dr. Kang routinely treats upper extremity fractures, dislocations and nerve compression and dysfunction in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dr. Kang admits being a specialist means being a lifelong student. He has published numerous articles and been invited to give several lectures pertaining to his special research interests in gene therapy, arthritis and hand surgery.
Dr. Kang graduated with a medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. He continued his training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania with an eight-year residency in orthopaedic surgery, during which he completed an internship in general surgery and a fellowship in orthopaedic surgery research. He completed an additional fellowship in hand surgery at Hand Surgery Specialists, Inc., in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Hand Surgery Hand Surgery Specialists, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Fellowship Director: Peter J. Stern, MD 1999-2001 Orthopaedic Surgery Research University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Ferguson Laboratory Fellowship Director: Christopher H. Evans, Ph.D., D.Sc. 1994-1996
Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Chairman: Freddie H. Fu, MD, D.Sc. 1992-2000
General Surgery University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Chairman: Richard L. Simmons, MD 1992-1994
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 1988-1993
A.B., Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 1984-1989
Journal Articles Evans CH, Robbins PD, Ghivizzani SC, Wasko MC, Tomaino MM, Kang R, Muzzonigro TA, Vogt M, Elder EM, Whiteside TL, Watkins SC, Herndon JH. Gene transfer to human joints: progress toward a gene therapy of arthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102(24):8698-8703, 2005
Kang R, Stern PJ. Fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Journal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2(2):47-59, 2002
Kang R, Stern PJ. Humeral nonunion associated with metallosis secondary to use of a titanium flexible humeral intramedullary nail: a case report. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 84-A(12): 2266-2269, 2002
Bittner JB 4th, Kang R, Stern PJ. Management of flexor tendon sheath ganglia: a cost analysis. Journal of Hand Surgery. 27-A(4): 586-590, 2002
Kang R. A simple, effective, and convenient method of ring removal. Hand to Hand, Association of Hand Care Professionals. 18(3): 2, 2001
Kang R, Ghivizzani SC, Muzzonigro TS, Herndon JH, Robbins PD, Evans CH. The Marshall R. Urist Young Investigator Award. Orthopaedic applications of gene therapy: From concept to clinic. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 375: 324-337, 2000
Evans CH, Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Muzzonigro TS, Wasko MC, Herndon JH, Robbins PD. Gene therapy for rheumatic diseases. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 42(1): 1-16, 1999
Weiss KR, Georgescu HI, Gollin SM, Kang R, Evans CH. Trisomy 7 in synovial fibroblasts obtained from arthritic joints. Inflammation Research. 48(supplement 2): S132-S133, 1999
Ghivizzani SC, Muzzonigro TS, Kang R, Evans CH, Robbins PD. Clinical gene therapy for arthritis. Drugs Today. 35(4-5): 389-396, 1999
Ghivizzani SC, Lechman ER, Kang R, Tio C, Kolls J, Evans CH, Robbins PD. Direct adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha soluble receptors to rabbit knees with experimental arthritis has local and distal anti-arthritic effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 95(8): 4613-4618, 1998
Kang R, Marui T, Ghivizzani SC, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Suh JK, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Ex vivo gene transfer to chondrocytes in full-thickness articular cartilage defects. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 5(2): 139-143, 1997
Kang R, Ghivizzani SC, Herndon JH, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene therapy for arthritis: principles and clinical practice. Biochemical Society Transactions. 25(2): 533-537, 1997
Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Georgescu HI, Lechman ER, Jaffurs D, Engle JM, Watkins SC, Tindal MH, Suchanek MK, McKenzie LR, Evans CH, Robbins PD. Constitutive intra-articular expression of human IL-1 beta following gene transfer to rabbit synovium produces all major pathologies of human rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Immunology. 159(7): 3604-3612, 1997
Watkins SC, Macaulay W, Turner D, Kang R, Rubash HE, Evans CH. Identification of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human macrophages surrounding loosened hip prostheses. American Journal of Pathology. 150(4): 1199-1206, 1997
Evans CH, Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Herndon JH, Robbins PD. Progress towards arthritis gene therapies. Rheumatoid Arthritis – ID Research Alert. 1(5): 241-245, 1997
Gerich TG, Kang R, Fu FH, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene transfer to the rabbit patellar tendon: potential for genetic enhancement of tendon and ligament healing. Gene Therapy. 3(12): 1089-1093, 1996
Evans CH, Robbins PD, Ghivizzani SC, Herndon JH, Kang R, Bahnson AB, Barranger JA, Elders EM, Gay S, Tomaino MM, Wasko MC, Watkins SC, Whiteside TL, Glorioso JC, Lotze MT, Wright TM. Clinical trial to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of transferring a potentially anti-arthritic cytokine gene to human joints with rheumatoid arthritis. Human Gene Therapy. 7(10): 1261-1280, 1996
Ghivizanni SC, Kang R, Evans CH, Robbins PD. Gene therapy for arthritis. In: Concepts in Gene Therapy. Eds: M Strauss, JA Barranger. pp. 413-428. Walter de Fruyter, New York, 1997
Robbins PD, Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Jaffurs DC, Evans CH. Development of a gene therapy for arthritis. In: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Gene Therapy: Legal, Ethical, and Scientific Aspects. Eds: S Mueller, J Simon, J Vestig. pp. 41-50. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1997
Kang R, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Methods for gene transfer to synovium. In: Methods in Molecular Medicine: Gene Therapy Protocols. Ed: PD Robbins. pp. 357-368. Humana Press Inc., Totowa, New Jersey, 1996.
Kang R. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Guest Physician, Focus on Health (PAC-14 Television Program). 2006. Kang R. Limited open fasciotomy for Dupuytrens contractures. Podium Presentation, Mary S. Stern Fellowship Reunion III. 2006.
Kang R, Kiefhaber T, Stern PJ. Narcotic analgesic use after open carpal tunnel release. Poster Presentation, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 57th Annual Meeting, 2002.
Kang R, Stern PJ. Approaches to the proximal interphalangeal joint. Video Presentation. 2001
Muzzonigro TS, Kang R, Herndon JH, Wasko MC, Fitzgerald S, Tomaino MM, Watkins SC, Ghivizzani SC, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene therapy for arthritis – A progress report on the first human trial. Podium Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 44th Annual Meeting, 1998.
Weiss KR, Georgescu HI, Gollin SM, Kang R, Evans CH. Trisomy 7 in synovial fibroblasts obtained from arthritic joints. Podium Presentation, American College of Rheumatology 62nd National Scientific Meeting, 1998.
Kang R, Ghivizzani SC, Herndon JH, Bahnson AB, Barranger JA, Elders EM, Maillard R, Tomaino MM, Wasko MC, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene transfer to the human rheumatoid joint. Podium Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 43rd Annual Meeting, 1997.
Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Georgescu HI, Nita IM, Jaffurs D, Engle JM, Watkins SC, Tindal MH, Suchanek MK, McKenzie LR, Evans CH, Robbins PD. Constitutive expression of IL-1 following gene transfer to synovium produces all pathologies of rheumatoid arthritis. Podium Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 43rd Annual Meeting, 1997. Podium Presentation, American College of Rheumatology 60th National Scientific Meeting, 1996.
Kang R, Marui T, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Suh JK, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene therapy for full-thickness articular cartilage defects. Podium Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 42nd Annual Meeting, 1996. Poster Presentation, 7th Congress of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy, 1996.
Kang R, Fields A, Zamparo J, Horowitz MC. Osteoblast mediated mast cell proliferation. Podium Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 42nd Annual Meeting, 1996.
Gerich TG, Kang R, Georgescu HI, Nita IM, Fu FH, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Comparison of viral vectors of potential use for gene transfer to ligaments and menisci. Poster Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 42nd Annual Meeting, 1996.
Saito M, Kang R, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Ex vivo gene therapy for antigen-induced arthritis in the chronic phase in rabbits. Poster Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 42nd Annual Meeting, 1996.
Stefanovic-Racic M, Watkins S, Kang R, Turner D, Evans CH. Identification of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human osteoarthritic cartilage. Poster Presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society, 42nd Annual Meeting, 1996.
Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Hatton C, Tio C, Lechman ER, Emmert A, Robbins PD, Evans CH. In vivo delivery of genes encoding soluble receptors for IL-1 and TNF- results in a synergistic therapeutic effect in antigen-induced arthritis in the rabbit knee. Podium Presentation, American College of Rheumatology 60th National Scientific Meeting, 1996.
Gerich TG, Kang R, Fu FH, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Gene transfer to ligaments and menisci. A study in rabbits. Plenary Presentation, 109th Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association, 1996. Podium Presentation, 2nd World Congress on Sports Trauma/American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine 22nd Annual Meeting, 1996. Podium Presentation, Annual Meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, 1996.
Robbins PD, Ghivizzani SC, Kang R, Storkus J, Tahara H, Zitvogel L, Couderc B, Lotze MT, Evans CH. Development of gene therapies for arthritis and cancer. Luneborg Symposium on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Gene Therapy, 1996.
Kang R, Georgescu HI, Nita IM, Robbins PD, Evans CH. Susceptibility of human synovial fibroblasts to retroviral transduction and retransduction with MFG-IRAP. Poster Presentation, 59th National Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, 1995.
Krause K, Sheldon D, Kang R, Velez SJ. Regeneration of neuromuscular connections after ganglia allotransplants in the crayfish. Poster Presentation, 20th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, 1990.
Marshall R. Urist Young Investigator Award
Orthopaedic Applications of Gene Therapy: From Concept to Clinic.
Kang R, Ghivizzani SC, Muzzonigro TS, Herndon JH, Robbins PD, Evans CH.
50th Annual Meeting of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons
1998
C. Gordon Van Arman Award, Third Place
Trisomy 7 in Synovial Fibroblasts Obtained from Arthritic Joints
Weiss KR, Georgescu HI, Gollin SM, Kang R, Evans CH
Inflammation Research Society 9th International Conference
1998
The American Orthopaedic Association-Zimmer Travel Award for Orthopaedic Residents
Activated Macrophages Produce a Nitric Oxide Synthase and Release Nitric Oxide, A Known Regulator of Bone Resorption.
Macaulay W, Shanbhag A, Watkins SC, Turner D, Kang R, Stefanovic-Racic M, Rubash HE, Evans CH
1997
Best Basic Science Research Paper by a Resident
Gene Therapy for Full Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects – A Feasibility Study
Kang R, Marui T, Ghivizzani SC, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Suh JK, Robbins PD, Evans CH
Resident/Fellow Research Day
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
1996
The Eastern Orthopaedic Association Resident/Fellow Award
Gene Therapy for Full Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects – A Feasibility Study
Kang R, Marui T, Ghivizzani SC, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Suh JK, Robbins PD, Evans CH
1995
The American Orthopaedic Association-Zimmer Travel Award, Alternate
Gene Therapy for Full Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects – A Feasibility Study
Kang R, Marui T, Ghivizzani SC, Nita IM, Georgescu HI, Suh JK, Robbins PD, Evans CH
1995
Yale University School of Medicine: Alpha Omega Alpha 1993
Research Fellowship 1992
Dartmouth College: A.B. with High Honors in Biology 1989
Magna Cum Laude 1989
Rufus Choate Scholar 1987
Dean's List 1985-1989
Big Brother of the Year, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Central Connecticut
1991
Orthopaedic applications of gene therapy: Rheumatoid arthritis; Full-thickness articular cartilage defects; Tendons, ligaments, and menisci Ferguson Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA, 1993-1996
Trisomy 7 in rheumatoid, osteoarthritic, and normal synovium
Ferguson Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA, 1994
Thesis Research: Response of interleukin-3 dependent hematopoietic precursor cell lines to osteoblast-derived cytokines
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT, 1991-1993
Characterization of a putative new growth factor in media conditioned by mouse helper T-cell clone D10.G4.1
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT, 1991-1993
Honors Thesis Research: Formation of new synaptic contacts by allotransplants of the superficial flexor muscle nerve in the crayfish
Department of Biology, Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH, 1987-1989
Suppression of proliferation of responder cells by pre-incubation of stimulator cells with colchicine, cerulinin, cycloheximide, and ammonium chloride in mixed lymphocyte culture
Department of Transplantation
The Jerome H. Holland Laboratory, American Red Cross
Rockville, MD, 1988
Wrist injuries in the athlete
Salisbury University Annual Sports Medicine Clinic, Salisbury University Athletic Training Club
January 17-18, 2003
Prospects for Using Gene Transfer to Treat Osteoarthritis. Current Topics in Rheumatology: Osteoarthritis
North Shore Hospital, Manhasset, NY, 1995
Glorioso JC, Evans CH, Robbins PD, Kang R.
Gene transfer for treating a connective tissue of a mammalian host
United States Patent Number 5,766,585
June 16, 1998
