Computer-Assisted Surgery for Total Knee Replacement

New image-guided, computer-assisted instruments and software for use in total knee replacement surgery are designed to be less invasive and more accurate. They have been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The new procedure eliminates the use of an intramedullary rod, thereby reducing the chance of fat embolism, says the developer, Smith & Nephew Orthopedics (Memphis, TN, USA). Also, onscreen mapping of anatomical landmarks around the knee permits very accurate measurements and cuts, potentially reducing implant failure due to misalignment or ligament imbalance. Surgeons are able to superimpose a real-time image of a Smith & Nephew knee implant over the proposed cuts on screen, allowing them to see the fit of the implant and the results of the proposed bone preparation before the first cut is made. The software utilizes the IntraOperative Navigation System of Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

"Using image-guidance is much like having an assistant who can make measurements to better than one degree and one millimeter accuracy and can show the future results of any proposed step continuously while you're operating,” said Dr. Stephen Murphy, of New England Baptist Hospital (Boston, USA).




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