Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement                                 CLOSE WINDOW

Over the past 25 years, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized many fields of medicine. Its key characteristic is that it uses specialized techniques and instrumentation that enable the surgeon to perform major surgery without a large incision.

Actual patient 15 days following MIS total knee replacement

with full active in extension and full quadriceps control.

 

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Knee Joint Replacement is an advancement that offers important advantages.  MIS Knee Joint Replacement technique brings together high-quality knee implants, new minimally invasive surgical techniques, and new instrumentation.

MIS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), unlike conventional TKR requiring a large incision (8 to 12 inches) and significant disruption of the muscles and tendons, is performed through a 3- to 4-inch incision and may also reduce the amount of soft tissue (muscles and tendons, etc.) disrupted during surgery.

MIS Partial Knee Resurfacing (PKR) is performed to replace only the damaged surface of the knee joint through the smaller incision, minimizing trauma to healthy bone and tissue. Because the PKR artificial joints are so much smaller than total knee implants, the surgical incision can be significantly smaller as well.
 
Stryker Computer Navigation System for Total Knee Replacement
The StrykerŪ Knee Navigation System is built on a solid foundation of over 6 years of development, testing and research.
 

This revolutionary new system:

  • Guides accurate cuts within a fraction of a degree

  • Provides real time visualization of:

    • Varus/Valgus

    • Internal/External Rotation

    • Flexion/Extension

  • Evaluates functional performance of the components

  • Ensures accurate implant positioning

  • Records patient data and results
   

A Cut Above
Prospective randomized clinical study with and without the use of a Navigation System for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

"Computer Assisted Surgery has the potential to provide a much higher degree of accuracy and control than is possible without it." 
       
 

Minimal time is needed to:

  • Initialize the system
  • Fix tracker position
  • Acquire data
  • Maximum flexibility
  • No pre-operative planning required

  • No additional personnel needed

 
The system does not require CT scans or time-consuming bone morphing steps. Robust software allows for quick determination of essential landmarks to display the mechanical and rotational axis
 

Knee Realignment Procedures

(Unicompartmental knee replacement)

Unicompartmental tibiofemoral arthroplasty is the replacement of only the medial or lateral compartments of the knee. This surgery is successful in the younger patient who has arthritic changes in only one compartment of the knee. The surgery is performed through a smaller incision and leads to a rapid recovery, less pain and shorter hospitalization. Many surgeons now prefer this procedure to the osteotomy as an intermediate option in younger, more active patients. 85% to 90% of the unicompartmental knee replacements last 10 years or more. Failures occur from wear of the plastic insert to increased symptomatic arthritis in the other compartments of the knee.

Examples of proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy and distal femoral lateral opening wedge osteotomy for medial and lateral compartment arthritis in the knee, respectively:

 

Final fixation of the Tibial Opening Wedge Osteotomy.  The knee is dressed and placed in a post-op hinged brace.  Passive range of motion is begun immediately with a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine.  Ambulation is restricted to non-weight-bearing with crutches.  HATriC bone substitute is used to fill the osteotomy.   As a comparison, the Distal Femoral Opening Wedge Osteotomy utilizes the same technique principles as the tibial system.  Specifically designed femoral plates take into account the anatomical differences between the distal femur and proximal tibia.
     

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