Madras Joint Replacement center uses new ‘Visionaire’ technology for total knee replacement
Feb 15th, 2012 by admin
Patient specific cutting block
Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam has used a new technology for total knee replacement surgery. Called as ‘Visionaire’ this technology uses patient specific instrumentation during a knee replacement procedure. Traditionally knee replacements were done with universal instruments for the surgery. After cutting and opening the knee joint, your surgeon would position instruments know as jigs to derive the proper alignment for cutting bone. This process would had about twenty three steps and would consume a large part of the operating time. The latest technology cuts out these steps and speeds up the operation. Dr.Venkatachalam has used this latest technology on three knees in the last one week. The results are exciting and promising.
The implants have been positioned accurately and should survive longer than traditional methods, says the doctor.
It offers several advantages to the patient
Patient benefits
- Bone conservation –Customized bone cuts preserve bone, which gives patients more options in the event of a revision knee replacement surgery in the future.
- Stability – By making anatomically precise cuts of the bone, the knee implant is accurately aligned to fit the patient’s anatomy. This provides more stability, giving patients greater confidence in their new knee. It also reduces pain and contributes to the longevity of the implant.
- Long Lasting – The Smith & Nephew implants used in conjunction with VISIONAIRE instruments are made with exclusive OXINIUM™ technology. OXINIUM implants are among the longest lasting, lightest and hypoallergenic joint implant materials used today.
- Minimally invasive procedure– Surgeons are able to utilize minimally-invasive surgical techniques, which reduces post operative pain. Patients thus have the potential to return to their active lifestyle faster, with less pain, than with a standard total knee replacement.
- Reduced Anesthesia Time – By determining proper implant size and alignment before surgery, surgeons may be able to reduce anesthesia time, minimizing the risk of infection.
There is an added cost for this procedure towards MRI scans and the cutting block manufacture. The Chettinad hospital is uniquely able to offer this procedure due to its infra structure, says Dr.Venkatachalam. There is a waiting period of four weeks between the scans and the arrival of the blocks from the US. The blocks have the name of the patient engraved on them.
When used in conjunction with the long lasting ’ Oxinium ‘ knee replacement prosthesis, the life of the implant is increased further. It is less likely that the patient may need a revision knee replacement in later life.
