The physicians and employees of the Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute are constantly keeping an eye out for trends and technologies that can benefit patients.
As people age, due to a lifetime of wear and tear on their joints, knee replacement surgery often becomes a necessary part of life. Today’s older Americans lead more active lives than ever before — playing sports, taking part in recreational activities, and just living out their normal daily routines. These people rely on knee replacement surgery to get them back into the game of life, and using the services of a physician who has access to the most up-to-date technology helps reassure the patient that they will get the most out of their new implant.
Over the last few months, several of Crozer-Keystone’s orthopedic surgeons have begun using new computer-assisted technology (CAS) in knee replacement surgery. CAS is an innovative new way for an orthopedic surgeon to do knee replacement surgery. By temporarily placing reflective balls called “arrays” on the tibia and femur bones, the surgeon is able to use a computer to get a very detailed picture of the knee’s anatomy. Using this image, he can place the prosthetic knee joint with greater precision than ever before.
“Computers have arrived in the operating room as a navigation aide for fine-tuning the positioning of joint implants,” says Stuart Gordon, M.D., co-chief of the Section of Orthopedics at Taylor Hospital. “[In addition], in the last three years, there has been a growing interest in accelerating patient recovery following hip and knee replacements with the use of small incisions and less-invasive muscle-cutting surgical techniques.”
CAS offers the opportunity for smaller incisions, which could mean less post-operative pain and recovery time.
“For long-term success, total joint replacement surgery relies on appropriate alignment of the prosthetic implant and the reconstructed joint,” says Charles Hummer III, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Crozer-Chester Medical Center who uses the computer-assisted technology. “Computer-navigated total joint replacement of the hip or knee helps the surgeon to assure optimum overall alignment of the reconstructed joint by giving real-time feedback while bone cuts and prosthetic implantation are actually occurring in the operating room. This is done by initially ‘registering’ defined bony landmarks at the outset of the procedure in the computer, and then monitoring the change in position of these landmarks in three dimensions as the procedure proceeds. Prior to final implantation of the prosthetic joint, the surgeon is able to see precisely what the ultimate reconstruction will look like and how it will function — thereby optimizing the chances for an excellent patient outcome in the long run.”
“This demonstrates the orthopedic surgeon’s commitment to being on the cutting edge of current technology,” adds Frank Giammattei, M.D., chief of the Division of Orthopedic Surgery at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. “This is part of an ongoing effort to provide the highest quality of care using the latest techniques and technology. You don’t have to leave your backyard to take advantage of these very sophisticated tools.”
According to Eugene Elia, M.D., a Delaware County Memorial Hospital orthopedic surgeon who has operated using computer-assisted equipment, having this technology available to the surgeons is yet another example of Crozer-Keystone’s commitment to its medical staff and patients. “With the addition of computer-assisted surgery, the system now offers some of the most advanced technology available to its patients,” he says.
The Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute is a comprehensive program of musculoskeletal services provided across the health system including orthopedic/joint care, sports medicine, hand care, outpatient rehabilitation, foot/ankle care, and spine care. Services include surgery, therapy, education, medical management and more.
To find an orthopedic surgeon with the Human Motion Institute who is right for you and to make an appointment, call 1-877-CK-MOTION (1-877-256-6846).