Device May Delay Need for Knee Replacement

A new treatment alternative for people with early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee is a small device that replaces the damaged cartilage while preserving the bone.

The device is made of cobalt chrome and fits between the natural bone structures of the knee and stays in place without bone cement or screws. It is geometrically designed to center itself and follow the normal motion of each individual's knee. Since the device does not require fixation or bone cuts, it does not compromise future conversion to total knee replacement. Called UniSpacer, the device is the product of Sulzer Orthopedics, Inc. (Baar, Switzerland).

The minimally invasive procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia and generally takes about one hour. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few months. Previously, the main treatment options for delaying partial or total knee replacement were arthroscopic procedures or pain medications, says Sulzer. The UniSpacer has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Until we get to the point where we can actually restore articular cartilage, it's good to have different treatment options that can be matched more specifically to the individual patient,” said Marc Hungerford, M.D., acting chief, division of arthritis surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital (Baltimore, MD, USA).





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