TruMatch Personalized solutions for Knee Replacement

Dr. Eagan now offers a new customized knee replacement system that increases the accuracy of knee surgery. A computerized three dimensional model is made of your knee. This simplifies the operation and shortens the O.R. time. TruMatch Solutions is the result of extensive research and development efforts at DePuy Orthopaedics. TruMatch Solutions uses advancements in technology to provide surgeons with Personalized Solutions through patient-specific instruments. These instruments help the surgeon to obtain a precise fit of the implant. The implant helps reduce a patient’s pain and restore their mobility.

The better your total knee is mechanically aligned, the longer it will last and better it will function.

You may go this site for more information and video demonstration of live surgery: www.DePuy.com

Click here to view TruMatch brochure.

Computer-guided Knee Replacement

Dr. Eagan also continues to offer computer guided knee replacement. Computer-guided knee surgery helps the surgeon align the patient’s bones and knee replacement implant with a degree of accuracy not possible with the naked eye.  For the first time doctors have detailed information allowing them to balance the ligaments.  This information is given to them before they make the necessary surgical cuts. The computer also helps the surgeon use a smaller incision instead of the traditional larger opening.

Think of it this way. Perhaps you’ve seen the on-board computers in newer cars that provide driving directions using satellite navigation systems. On-board computers collect data points from satellites and use precise coordinates to give drivers directions from point A to point B.  It provides a degree of precision, speed and accuracy not attainable with a map and compass.

Similarly, computers used during orthopaedic surgeries offer visual mapping to help doctors make crucial decisions before and throughout the knee replacement operation.

This offers the surgeon a greater advantage and he/she has a greater “vision” when it counts—during surgery.  This supports decision-making and enhances the surgeon’s flexibility. 

Imaging technology allows the surgeon to see a computer generated picture representation of a patient’s knee joint allowing them the potential to operate with smaller openings and with more precision.

Benefits

The new procedure eliminates the use of an intramedullary rod, thereby reducing the chance of fat embolism.  The on-screen mapping of anatomical landmarks around the knee permits very accurate measurements and cuts, potentially reducing implant failure due to misalignment or ligament imbalance.

Traditionally, surgeons assess the flexibility of the knee’s ligaments by hand, and roughly estimate how much correction should be made to each ligament to achieve joint balance. Now, surgeons are able to more accurately measure joint laxity on screen.

The FDA has given market clearance to the new computer-assisted instruments and software designed for use with total knee replacement surgery.

Why Computer-guided Navigation?

Precision was difficult to achieve in the past because each person’s body is unique.

No Guesswork

With today’s computer technology, there is no guesswork. The Orthopaedic surgeon is able to “See” in real time the mechanical axis of the leg, which is unique to each individual.  It allows them to map your anatomy and customize the surgery.

By constantly referring to the mechanical axis and the patient’s unique anatomy, surgeons are able to position and balance the knee more accurately.

What Are The Primary Benefits of this Procedure?

It’s significantly less invasive than traditional total knee replacement especially since it eliminates the need for an intramedullary rod to be inserted.  It is very accurate and many surgeons believe that this accuracy will reduce misalignment during surgery.

At this time only a handful of surgeons are trained in and performing the Computer Assisted Navigation Total Knee procedure.