CircleBath pioneers new knee replacement technology
05 September 2011
A brand new technology, which enables surgeons
to custom-fit a knee replacement to match the patient's own natural
alignment, is being pioneered at CircleBath.
The hospital, which has already established a name for itself as
a leading facility for hip and knee replacements*, is one of only
three in Europe using this innovative technique that matches both
the shape and the fitting of the replacement knee to an
individual's own unique anatomy. This differs from a
traditional knee replacement that will mechanically align the knee
to an assumed or average degree. The aim of this surgery is
that the knee replacement will feel like the patient's knee did
before any pain or problems were experienced, rather than an
artificial joint with some functional limitations.
Mr Neil Bradbury, specialist surgeon and head of CircleBath's
Knee Unit, and the team of 10 knee experts working at the hospital,
believe that this procedure, which is known as OtisMed ShapeMatch
technology, could revolutionise the recovery and day-to-day lives
of knee replacement patients.
"This new technique enables us to precisely match the knee to
the patient's own body, regardless of their height and body
shape. It replicates the knee's natural axis which means the
patient should be able to bend it better, straighten it fully and
have a more natural range of movement of the knee joint," Mr
Bradbury explains. "There is growing evidence that performing a
knee replacement using this method will offer superior results for
patients in both the short and long term," he adds.
Mr Jonathan Eldridge, another surgeon from CircleBath's Knee
Unit who has played an active role in bringing this new technology
to the hospital, says: "Short term benefits include less pain
immediately after the surgery and during their rehabilitation
because there is less soft tissue damage during implantation."
"The tools and system used to implant the knee are designed and
made for each patient so that the knee replacement fits that
individual as well as possible. This means that ligaments are
less likely to be stretched or shorted during the surgical
procedure. Longer term benefits include a more natural feeling and
range of movement," he adds.
Additional advantages for the hospital include the need for
fewer instruments in the operating theatre and the fact lower
levels of anaesthetic are likely to be needed during surgery due to
a reduction in likely soft tissue damage.
CircleBath offers this procedure to both private and NHS Choose
& Book patients requiring a knee replacement.
Around 80,000 knee replacements are undertaken every year in the
UK according to the National Joint Registry. The Registry's
figures also reveal that in the past 12 months CircleBath, which
has specialist units dedicated to each joint, has undertaken more
knee and hip replacements than any other private hospital in a 50
mile radius.
For further information on CircleBath's Knee Unit or this new
way of performing knee replacement surgery, contact the hospital on
01761 422222, email enquiries@circlebath.co.uk
or visit www.circlebath.com.
PATIENT CASE STUDY
Clive Tilling, a 66 year old retiree who regularly
volunteers at Avon Valley Railway, had a knee replacement using
this new technique at CircleBath in June*. He has been
extremely impressed with the results:
"Having always worked in occupations that required me
being on my feet, and now working as a volunteer in catering, I was
concerned when I started to experience problems walking and pain in
my knee.
"After x-rays revealed that I needed to have a knee replacement
the surgeon, Mr Eldridge, talked to me about the two different
procedures that were available including this new system whereby
they take a scan and the implant is made based on that. That
made sense to me so I decided to do it.
"I was really impressed. One of my neighbours had recently
had a knee replacement using the traditional method and had said
there was a lot of pain in the first couple of weeks, but I didn't
experience very much at all. I was able to stop using a stick
after four weeks thanks to my regular physio sessions and a course
of hydrotherapy which I found really useful.
"The quality of the care offered by the staff at Circle -
both while I was at the hospital and the calls to check everything
was ok after I returned home - has really been fantastic.
"Nine weeks on, while I know I'm still recovering, I don't feel
at all restricted in terms of movement and it absolutely feels like
my own knee. People have been amazed at my recovery and I'm
delighted."
*Mr Tilling was treated at CircleBath through the NHS Choose
& Book system.
Editor's Notes:
* CircleBath has undertaken more hip and knee replacements than
any other private hospital in a 50 mile radius (Source: National
Joint Registry)
Technical Notes:
OtisMed's ShapeMatch Technology is designed to enable surgeons
to position the Triathlon Femoral Component with the patient's
flexion/extension, tibial rotation and patella axes to help restore
the patient's unique joint kinematics. Studies have shown that
Stryker's knee system provides the potential for greater stability
throughout the range of motion, improved motion, more rapid return
to functional activities and a better fitting implant for the
individual patient. This innovative market leading technology uses
proprietary 3D imaging software to help restore the patient's
unique anatomy and joint line.
Studies have shown that that 52% of Total Knee Arthroplasty
(TKA) patients reported limitation in functional activities.
Using the Stryker Triathlon Custom Kit Knee in addition to the
OtisMed ShapeMatch technology this number reduced to 22% for age
and gender-matched peers.