Articles Posted in Stryker Knee

Knee replacement surgery is becoming more and more popular in the United States each and every year. While the procedure was traditionally done as an elective surgery for elderly patients who could no longer stand to live with their arthritis pain that had become quite severe, today, younger patients are having the procedure done to cope with arthritis and injury caused by athletic activities like long distance running.

surgeon-2-179919-mThere is no question that having a knee replaced is a major undertaking, and there is going to be great deal of pain and suffering during the recovery period. However, if the artificial knee itself was defectively designed, there is obviously a much higher chance patients will have significant complications, including a total device failure. This will cause the need for a second or Continue reading

In a rather disturbing series of events, as described in a recent article from Syracuse.com, a United States Navy veteran left his Long Island home to go to Florida, so he could undergo a total knee replacement operation. He was 69 years old at the time of his operation.

courtroom-1-1207444-mHe chose to go to Florida because he had a friend there who could help during what he expected to be a somewhat lengthy recovery period. While he was gone, the town had his house demolished with all of this property still inside. Continue reading

A total knee replacement surgery has become among the most common operations in the United States. However, despite the vast number of total knee replacement surgeries performed each year, success and failure still depends on whether a surgeon can get a proper fit for the artificial knee device, according to a recent article from ABC News.

knee-replacement---side-view-1183622-mHowever, a new surgical device being used in U.S. hospitals is helping doctors get a more precise fit for artificial knee implants. The new device is known as Verasense. It is one component of the system that is designed to help orthopedic surgeons while preforming total knee replacement surgery. Continue reading

In the United States alone, there are hundreds of thousands of total knee replacement operations performed each year. Not only are more people getting an artificial knee implanted, more people who are younger are having the surgery than ever before.

pillsMost people are having surgery due to chronic arthritis in which the pain gets so bad that the patient can no longer stand it and opts to have an elective total knee replacement procedure. Arthritis can cause formations around the knee joint that cause pain when the ball and socket interact with each other. The spurs can also chip away at the ball and socket joint to the point where this becomes excruciating. Traditionally, patients would wait until they were much older and could no longer walk without substantial pain before having surgery. Continue reading

According to a recent report from Tech Times, a study has found that, while a total knee replacement procedure seems to the best form of pain relief for patients suffering from severe arthritis, there may be more risks associated with the procedure than even a well-informed patient might realize.

knee-replacement---side-view-1183622-mStudy writers contend while total knee replacement is generally a safe and effect treatment for severe osteoarthritis, some of the safety data being used by the medical community in determining the level of risk was not based upon the most sound research practices. Continue reading

Recently, double knee replacement procedure has been an increasingly common procedure in hospitals throughout the United States. According to a recent article from Wall Street Journal, many people who suffer from osteoarthritis tend to put up with the condition until it gets to a point were it is unbearable and eventually decided to get a total knee replacement.

knee-x-ray-1-391480-mIn the typical case, both knees are stricken with osteoarthritis to the point where they both need to be replaced. This normally involved having the more painful knee replaced, and then going back later for a second operation. A double knee replacement surgery, or bilateral knee replacement, as it is technically called, offers a quicker and more cost effective alternative to having successive traditional knee replacement, but this procedure, while new, has already managed to attract a good deal of controversy.   The reason for the controversy is because some evidence suggests the risks may outweigh the potential benefits. Those who perform the surgery say one of the main benefits is that it does away with the need for a second hospital stay. This reduces the amount of time spent under general anesthesia, which is always a risk, and it also reduces the risk of developing an infection following surgery. No matter how clean a hospital may be, post surgical infection is always a risk.  Another one of the claimed benefits is that it reduces the need for a second complete recovery period. Recovery is a painful and emotionally difficult time for many patients, and not having to do it twice is a benefit. Continue reading

Three dimensional, or 3D, printing is much more impressive than most people realized when they first heard of the process. A 3D printer can function in one of two main ways. In one type of 3D printer, the printer takes a computer rendered image and then cuts out a design from a block of material, usually made out of some type of polymer. This design works similar to high priced C&C routers and is known as a destructive construction process. The reason it is called a destructive process is because, much a like a sculptor working with a block of marble, material is chipped away until the intended design is formed.

knee-x-ray-1-391480-mThe really impressive form of 3D printing involves a process where the print heads create the item through emitting layer after layer of material until the design is complete. Not only can these designs be completely customized one at a time, because no construction run is required, they can also create interlocking pieces at the same time. For example, a 3D printer can print a series of interlocking rings without the need for any break in the metal or joint to link the rings, since they were constructed that way. Continue reading

Every year, we see more advancements in medicine, including development of newer high-tech medical devices like those used in knee replacement surgery. According to a recent news feature form ABC 6, a new device works much “like a GPS” during total knee replacement surgery to help align a new artificial joint.

medical-instruments-3-1033916-mProper and secure alignment is essential in the long-term success of a total knee replacement. No matter how skilled a surgeon may be, if the artificial knee joint or the surgical cutting guide has been defectively designed, as we have seen in many cases, there is significant risk the knee will not be aligned properly. Even if proper alignment is established during surgery, manufacturing defects can cause the knee joint to shift out of alignment.   An artificial knee out of alignment can lead to significant pain and suffering and failure of the device. Continue reading

For over a year, we have been hearing a great deal about potential benefits of minimally invasive knee replacement surgery. However, according to a recent news release from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, minimally invasive knee surgery may not be right for every patient choosing to undergo elective total knee replacement.

hospital-hand-1100587-mIf you are speaking with an orthopedic surgeon about having a total knee replacement, there is a decent chance you are discussing the risks and benefits of having the minimally invasive procedure. As the name implies, minimally invasive knee replacement involves using a smaller incision than in traditional or “open” total knee replacement and does not involve cutting as much muscle or other tissue surrounding the knee joint. This can result in a hospital stay that is shorter, as well as a shorter recovery period. There is also less blood loss, which can make the surgery safer in many cases. For these reasons, the Cleveland Clinic recommends you discuss this option with your surgeon. Continue reading

There are a various reasons a person might have total knee replacement. Some suffer sports injuries. Others have incurred catastrophic injury, such as being in a serious car accident. Then there are those who suffer chronic issues, such as years of arthritis pain.

While a broken knee as a result of a serious car accident can lead to the need for a total knee replacement, the most common reason people see an orthopedic surgeon to consider an artificial knee implant is because they have been suffering from osteoarthritis for years, and the pain is at a point where it has become difficult to walk or do any of the tasks required for daily living.

hospital-corridor-3-65901-mAccording to a recent news feature from Reuters, a total knee replacement is being suggested as a way to “turn back the clock” on serious and painful osteoarthritis. Researchers have seen that after a patient undergoes a total knee replacement, he or she is likely to have substantially less pain and increased range of movement and leg function compared to the time prior to the operation. However, it is important to understand that, following a knee replacement to treat serious osteoarthritis, a patient will not feel as good as they did when they were young and pain free, but they may still feel a great deal better. Continue reading

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