|
Computer-assisted surgery helps the surgeon precisely align the artificial knee joint in the bone and may increase the long term effectiveness of knee replacements.
A good way to understand the value of computer-assisted surgery is to compare it to a car's tires. If the front wheels are a little misaligned, it still feels fine when you drive...but the tires wear out at 30,000 miles instead of 60,000 miles. If a knee replacement is even five degrees off, it may work fine in the beginning, but it won't last as long as one that is ideally aligned.
The Advantages of Computer-assisted Surgery
Traditional surgery depends on the surgeon's eye, which allows them to usually get within five degrees of the optimal alignment of the new joint.
With computer-assisted joint replacement, Evergreen orthpedic surgeons use a 3D computer imaging system that allows them to see the unique anatomy and mechanics of each patient's joint, make precise surgical cuts and review alignment and range of motion with the implant in place before leaving the operating room.
The result is a more precise alignment of the implant, which give patients a knee that is better aligned and will last longer.
Computer-assisted + Minimally Invasive
While some hospitals perform computer-assisted surgery, and still others perform minimally invasive surgery, Evergreen has the ability to combine both technologies. This provides patients with both the precise alignment of computer-assisted surgery and the patient comfort and easier recovery of minimally invasive surgery.
Evergreen is a leader in blending the two technologies thanks to the Evergreen Orthopedic Research Lab, a leading edge research facility where orthopedic surgeons refine their surgical techniques and redesign and test instruments needed for the procedures.
|
.jpg)
