News

September 2009

RELEASE UPON RECEIPT September 30, 2009

For more information, contact: Blair K. Sartory Communications Specialist 618-257-5932

New Total Knee Replacement Technique
Now Performed at Memorial

(Belleville, IL) Members of Memorial’s medical staff are performing a new total knee replacement technique using Patient Matched Instrumentation (PMI). Dr. Steven Horner of Belleville Orthopedics and Dr. Steven Morton of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Physicians, Ltd., both orthopedic surgeons on Memorial’s medical staff, are offering this new technology to the community. This type of surgery is first of their kind to be performed at Memorial, where Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) has been performed since 2003.

Dr. Horner has used the PMI technique at Memorial and explains that it creates a more accurate fit for the patient.

“The procedures I am performing involve a MRI scan and standing x-ray from which custom cutting tools are created,” said Dr. Horner. “This technique is patient-specific and allows for more accuracy and precision.”

Knee replacement surgery involves cutting the end of the thigh bone and top of the shin bone, aligning the two incisions and replacing the “bad” knee, with an artificial knee implant. Traditional knee replacement is invasive and requires a considerable amount of rehabilitation, at times unable to fully restore natural movement to the knee. While the pain has been relieved, patients complain that the replacement feels artificial and does not move in a natural way.

Dr. Morton, who also has experience using PMI techniques sees the advancement as a means to pre-navigating the knee, which saves time in the operating room.

 “This technique can lend itself toward smaller incisions, which in turn creates less pain, a decrease in blood loss and the potential for shorter hospital stays,” said Dr. Morton. “This is the latest and greatest procedure out there for total knee replacement.”

MIS total knee replacement surgery is performed through a small incision in the skin and guided by a computer-based system. This causes less trauma to soft tissues, speeds up recovery time and presents less pain to patients afterward. Accurate implant alignment also is associated with a longer life of the implant.

PMI is the newest option for MIS knee replacement. This option is provides post-surgery movement similar to that of a natural knee, and with proper doctor consultation, may be recommended for a variety of knee replacement candidates.

For more information on this type of surgery, please contact Brian Johnson, director of perioperative services at 618-257-5162.

         

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