| One of the newest and most exciting treatment | | | | approximates their natural knee. All surgeons use |
| technologies offered in orthopaedics today is knee | | | | cutting guides or "blocks" which are made to facilitate |
| resurfacing. Knee resurfacing is a true alternative to | | | | the implantation of the pre-fabricated knee implant, |
| traditional total knee replacement. Knee resurfacing is | | | | no matter if the replacement is to be a traditional or |
| performed by replacing only the worn-out, arthritic, | | | | computed designed procedure. However, in a knee |
| compartment(s) of the knee vs. the more traditional | | | | resurfacing procedure, there are no |
| knee replacement approach in which the entire knee | | | | pre-manufactured cutting blocks or implants. The |
| is replaced. This approach is especially recommended | | | | patient's own knee is utilized to make the model on |
| for the younger, more active patient who does not | | | | which the patient's custom-made implants are then |
| have any cartilage remaining on a portion(s) of their | | | | manufactured, cutting blocks are created and |
| knee. Post-operatively, this approach also offers the | | | | everything is sent to the surgeon to be used at the |
| potential for the patient to return to a fairly high level | | | | time of surgery. |
| of activity. | | | | What are the Benefits of this Procedure for |
| What is Knee Resurfacing? | | | | Patients? |
| For years, this concept could not be realized, primarily | | | | 1. Less bone is removed in the procedure. All knee |
| because of difficulties in imaging the knee accurately. | | | | replacements require that a patient's knee be |
| However, new advances in CT or CAT | | | | "prepared" to receive the implant, which usually |
| (computerized tomography) technology now make it | | | | requires significant bone removal and shaping before |
| possible for implant manufacturers to utilize a simple | | | | the implant can be positioned into place. The knee |
| CT scan of the knee to construct an exact, | | | | resurfacing manufacturer produces a cutting block, |
| three-dimensional model of a patient's knee. A CT | | | | fitting the patient exactly, which is sent to the |
| scan is an X-ray technique that produces images of | | | | surgeon to use when making the initial bone cuts. As |
| your body in which internal structures are visualized in | | | | a result, the implant lies on the surface of the knee |
| cross section rather than the overlapping images | | | | bones and essentially replaces the cartilage that has |
| typically produced by conventional X-ray exams. | | | | been worn away. |
| After the anatomically correct model is created, the | | | | By utilizing custom-made cutting blocks and knee |
| manufacturer can then fabricate the necessary | | | | resurfacing implant, the surgeon does not have to |
| implants required to replace the arthritic area(s) of | | | | remove nearly as much bone to achieve the proper |
| the knee. | | | | fit and positioning of the implant. Less bone cutting |
| How Does This Procedure Differ From Traditional or | | | | also translates into less pain post-operatively. |
| Computer-Designed Knee Replacement? | | | | 2. More surgical options are available if the knee |
| In order to fully appreciate the differences in the | | | | needs to be fully replaced at a later date. Since |
| resurfacing procedure when compared to other knee | | | | minimal bone is removed during the knee resurfacing |
| replacement approaches, some explanation is in order. | | | | procedure, it is much easier to convert a resurfaced |
| Although most computer-generated knee | | | | knee to a primary total knee replacement, should the |
| replacements involve a patient to pre-operatively | | | | need arise due to complications from arthritis or |
| undergo an MRI scan or CT scan of their knee, this | | | | injury down the road. Also gone is the worry that |
| concept is different from other computer-designed | | | | the patient may require a complex revision should |
| knee replacements that are currently being | | | | something happen to a conventional knee |
| advertised. It must be remembered that most | | | | replacement. |
| manufacturers of knee replacement implants make a | | | | While not for everyone, knee resurfacing is a great |
| left knee and a right knee model in a variety of | | | | alternative to total knee replacement for healthy |
| different sizes. A patient's knee will be cut down to | | | | persons who are younger and want to maintain an |
| accommodate whichever size of implant most closely | | | | active lifestyle. |