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Jul 6, 2007 12:39 am US/Eastern
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Major Advancements Made In Knee Replacements
Virtual Model, Cutting Guide Lead To A More Perfect Fit
by Dr. Holly Phillips
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Total knee replacement is a serious procedure with a long recovery time, but now a revolutionary customized surgery is helping patients feel better faster.
Jean Wetzel is back in her beloved garden, no longer in constant pain from arthritis in her knees.
"There was nothing you could do to get rid of it," Wetzel said.
That was until she had double-knee replacement surgery -- with breakthrough technology.
"I thought it sounded really great," Wetzel said.
Jean had a new kind of personally customized knee replacement. The operation was performed by Dr. Joseph Vernace at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
"I would characterize this as the probably the biggest advance I've seen in nearly 25 years," Vernace said.
Customizing starts with an MRI that's used to create a virtual knee model, and later a surgical cutting guide.
"It fits on all the nooks and crannies so it fits precisely and when we cut through here it gives us a nice flat cut," Vernace said.
The artificial knee is then put in place with a perfect fit. With traditional knee replacement, the fitting is done during surgery.
"With this new technique all the measurings are done ahead of time, so the ligaments and the structures in the knee, the muscles are better balanced," Vernace said.
The surgery is a lot faster and so is the recovery -- with fewer complications.
"The knee is more stable, better aligned, so the knees function better after surgery," Vernace said.
Jean says for the first time in years she's pain free.
"My knees feel really great," she said. "I have to say I'm able to do almost everything that I want now. I think I got my life back and maybe more."
The main reason to have a total knee replacement is to relieve pain from arthritis, but going under the knife is always a last resort.
Before surgery most doctors try other things first, like decreasing activity levels, weight loss and medication for pain.
After most knee replacement surgeries you will no longer be able to do high-impact sports, like jogging and aerobics.
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