Over the past three decades, total knee replacement (TKR) has become the standard surgical treatment option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee who have not responded to more conservative measures such as medication, injections and physical therapy. In fact, TKR is often the only surgical option discussed with patients even in cases where substantial portions of the knee may actually be healthy and not necessarily require surgery. According to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, more than 500,000 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergo a TKR every year making it one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States.
For patients with limited disease in their knee, there are disadvantages to such extensive surgeries like TKR – the procedure can be demanding, increasing surgical risk which may require more extensive time for recovery and rehabilitation. For patients under 60, a TKR comes with the risk of a potential revision surgery later in life that can be complicated by the amount of bone resection that has already been performed.
A solution: Patient-specific partial knee resurfacing
Physicians around the country, including myself, have begun using a partial knee resurfacing system (developed by an orthopedics company, ConforMIS) that uses a patient’s own CT scan data to custom manufacture an implant for each patient. ConforMIS uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to convert CT scan data into a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy to design a personalized implant with matching cutting guides.
The patient-specific approach allows me to treat a patient's diseased joint using a resurfacing approach that minimizes the bone resection, and allows me to preserve the ACL and PCL, resulting in a knee that moves and feel more natural. It's also worth noting that the instruments used for the procedure consist of a small set of single use, disposable guides that are designed and manufactured to only work with that specific patient and their implant – a unique offering from ConforMIS that is not available with other orthopedic companies.
Patient case study
When Lydia Korzen, 51, came to see me, she wanted to discuss the debilitating knee pain that she had been suffering from. She had undergone two prior knee surgeries. Her second surgery was for a torn meniscus in 2009. After that, she has been unable to participate in normal daily activities like walking, swimming and climbing stairs without experiencing extreme pain. To address her continued knee pain, I discussed alternative surgical options that could put an end to her continuous pain.
Lydia was an ideal candidate for the procedure. Using this implant, I was able to preserve her healthy bone and cartilage, which not only limited the invasiveness of the surgery, but resulted in a fast recovery and the restoration of mobility in her knee. This technology has enabled Lydia to get back to her active lifestyle without any pain. When dealing with knee pain, it is important to know that there are options available that can be less invasive and offer a more personalized approach.
For patients with limited disease in their knee, there are disadvantages to such extensive surgeries like TKR – the procedure can be demanding, increasing surgical risk which may require more extensive time for recovery and rehabilitation. For patients under 60, a TKR comes with the risk of a potential revision surgery later in life that can be complicated by the amount of bone resection that has already been performed.
A solution: Patient-specific partial knee resurfacing
Physicians around the country, including myself, have begun using a partial knee resurfacing system (developed by an orthopedics company, ConforMIS) that uses a patient’s own CT scan data to custom manufacture an implant for each patient. ConforMIS uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to convert CT scan data into a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy to design a personalized implant with matching cutting guides.
The patient-specific approach allows me to treat a patient's diseased joint using a resurfacing approach that minimizes the bone resection, and allows me to preserve the ACL and PCL, resulting in a knee that moves and feel more natural. It's also worth noting that the instruments used for the procedure consist of a small set of single use, disposable guides that are designed and manufactured to only work with that specific patient and their implant – a unique offering from ConforMIS that is not available with other orthopedic companies.
Patient case study
When Lydia Korzen, 51, came to see me, she wanted to discuss the debilitating knee pain that she had been suffering from. She had undergone two prior knee surgeries. Her second surgery was for a torn meniscus in 2009. After that, she has been unable to participate in normal daily activities like walking, swimming and climbing stairs without experiencing extreme pain. To address her continued knee pain, I discussed alternative surgical options that could put an end to her continuous pain.
Lydia was an ideal candidate for the procedure. Using this implant, I was able to preserve her healthy bone and cartilage, which not only limited the invasiveness of the surgery, but resulted in a fast recovery and the restoration of mobility in her knee. This technology has enabled Lydia to get back to her active lifestyle without any pain. When dealing with knee pain, it is important to know that there are options available that can be less invasive and offer a more personalized approach.