Michigan Orthopedics

As one of the top Michigan orthopedic hospitals and with nationally renowned joint care and foot and ankle programs, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland serves as a model for hospitals across the country. Our Michigan doctors specialize in everything from custom knee replacement to hip replacements to shoulder injuries and even wrist fractures.

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Safa Kassab, MD

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland

THE FACTS ABOUT CUSTOM FIT KNEE REPLACEMENT

Background

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints that can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly occurs in weight bearing joints, such as the knees. Osteoarthritis is usually treated with prescription medicines and physical therapy, but if those don’t prove effective, a knee replacement may be the only option. Advanced cases of osteoarthritis cause U.S. orthopedic surgeons to perform over 500,000 total knee replacements a year.

Podcast Posted: 12/15/2007
Duration: 01:01

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Traditionally, surgeons used a standard implant device that has a similar overall fit and placement for each patient. This approach does not take into account individual differences such as age, gender, ethnicity, weight or lifestyle.

However, there is a new approach that takes into account the unique nature of an individual’s knee.

ADVANTAGES
The custom fit total knee replacement allows the surgeon to match the size and the placement of the implant to each individual patient.The process begins with an MRI. Computer software is then used to create a 3-D image of the knee, where deformities are virtually corrected to return the knee to its pre-arthritic state.

The next step involves a computerized 3-D image of the implant that is created to match the anatomically correct virtual knee model. Lastly, special guidelines are created for the surgeon to use during the procedure. These patient-specific guidelines show the surgeon the precise location of where to make the bone cuts so that the knee replacement is tailored to the patient.

According to Safa Kassab, MD and SJMO Orthopedic Surgeon, the new approach “is changing the way we approach knee replacement. There’s less dissection, less bone cutting and less time in surgery. It also decreases the trauma to the knee.” The technology also allows for a custom fit total knee replacement, he added.

Studies have illustrated the vast majority of the population is either knock kneed or bow legged—even if only by a few degrees. Even minor degrees of variation in both the size and placement of a knee replacement can significantly impact both immediate and long-term success of a total knee replacement.

CAUTIONS
While all surgical procedures involve some element of risk, the custom fit knee replacement was designed to minimize the risks that are associated with a traditional knee replacement. This procedure does require the patient to obtain an MRI before surgery to help evaluate the shape and rotation of the bone. There are no additive medical or anesthetic risks associated with the custom fit technique. Alternatively, this technique should potentially reduce the risk associated with total knee arthroplasty since some instruments, which are placed inside of the bone during surgery, will not need to be used. This technique should assist your surgeon in accurately placing and balancing your total knee replacement.

REFERRALS
Please contact the SJMO physician referral line at 800.372.6094 to find a SJMO orthopedic surgeon near you.

THE MEDICAL REPORT LIBRARY:

MICHIGAN ORTHOPEDICS

	The Facts About Achilles Tendonitis Peg Chilvers, MD Posted: 3/31/2008
	Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Richard Bartholomew, DO Posted: 3/31/2008
	The Facts About Knee Bursitis Jignesh Patel, DO Posted: 3/31/2008
	The Facts About Ankle Arthroscopy Christopher Tisdel, MD Posted: 3/31/2008
	Custom Fit Knee Replacement Safa Kassab, MD Posted: 12/15/2007
	Total Hip Replacement William Ward, MD Posted: 9/25/2007

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