System for Standard or Mini-Incision Hip Surgery

New computer-assisted instruments and software are designed for the accurate placement of the acetabular cup during hip replacement, either by conventional surgery or through a mini-incision, which reduces soft tissue trauma and rehabilitation time. The system has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Using conventional techniques, surgeons have a view of the hip cup's abduction, or angle of inclination, but must estimate its anteversion, or lateral angle, due to restricted visualization during surgery. As a result, many acetabular cups are placed incorrectly and are at increased risk of postoperative dislocation. The new minimally invasive system expands orthopedists' view of the surgical site, even through mini-incisions, by using specialized technology to track the movement of the instruments and implant relative to the patient's anatomy. The software provides onscreen views of both the cup's abduction and anteversion. The system, called Achieve, is the product of Smith & Nephew Orthopedics (Memphis, TN, USA).

"Hip surgery is moving in the direction of mini-incisions, and the Achieve surgical application provides Smith & Nephew's mini-incision hip replacement technique with a distinct advantage over competitors by providing views of the surgical site unimaginable before now,” explained Scott Elliot, vice president, computer-assisted surgery, Smith & Nephew.



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Smith & Nephew Orthopedics