Advances in joint replacement | McAllister
Published 6:23 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2014
ProOrtho MIS-Navigated Total Knee Replacement Study Research has demonstrated that experienced surgeons using traditional methods of knee replacement surgery have limited success in properly balancing and aligning knee replacements. Additionally, the majority of knee replacements today are still done using traditional techniques with 12-inch incisions, significant surgical dissection, disruption of the quadriceps mechanism, and full dislocation of the knee.
Doctors Robin Fuchs, Craig McAllister and Jeff Stickney with ProOrtho will be formally evaluating outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), utilizing MIS (minimally invasive surgery) computer-assisted techniques in normal risk and high risk patients. Data will be collected at pre-operative, operative, discharge, and at two-month post-operative intervals. Patients involved in the study will undergo a thorough preoperative teaching program, and have their knee replacement performed by experts in MIS-Navigated techniques, utilize state-of-the-art knee replacement implants and postoperative pain management methods. They will learn and follow a rapid rehabilitation program. Their evaluations will include details of their pain control, range of motion, return to activities and overall patient satisfaction. The information help set the stage for safe improvement in knee replacement surgery.
What is Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery?
MIS total knee replacement focuses on smaller instruments, less soft tissue disruption and gentler methods in an effort to allow easier recovery and better range of motion after knee replacement. With the MIS-Computer Navigated techniques, surgeons at ProOrtho can replace a knee joint with a 4-inch cut versus the standard 12-inch incision.
Research done at ProOrtho* and at other institutions has shown that MIS techniques decrease pain, blood loss, complications, rehabilitation, and time in the hospital after knee replacement.
The advantages of computer-assisted surgery
While some hospitals perform computer-assisted surgery, and still others use MIS techniques, surgeons at ProOrtho combine both technologies. With computer-assisted joint replacement, ProOrtho surgeons use a 3D computer imaging system that allows them to see the unique anatomy and mechanics of each patient’s joint, make precise surgical cuts and review alignment and range of motion with the implant in place before leaving the operating room. Computer-assisted surgery allows for better visualization of anatomy with less need for exposure, which is particularly important when minimally-invasive techniques are used.
There are several potential benefits for those who have surgery with MIS-Computer Navigated techniques, including: May increase the life of your replacement; reduces the risk of dislocation and revision surgery; results in greater stability and range of motion; helps improve the overall function of your joint replacement; reduced blood loss during surgery, which lessens the need for a blood transfusion; faster recovery; reduced length of your hospital stay; shorter post-operative physical rehabilitation; and less scarring.
The result is a more precise alignment of the implant, which give patients a knee that is better aligned and will last longer.
For more information, or to sign up for one of our patient education seminars, please call 425-216-7017 or visit www.myproortho.com.
Craig M. McAllister is a physician with ProOrtho in Kirkland.
