January 2010
The latest advance in knee replacement surgery has now become available at Spire Sussex Hospital in Hastings. Consultant surgeon Mr Richard Goddard is offering the new Signature Knee procedure, giving patients a personalised knee implant which may offer a number of advantages over traditional techniques.
Arthritis of the knee joint is a common cause of pain and stiffness of the knee. Patients often suffer unnecessarily for many years when knee replacement surgery could provide them with excellent pain relief. Improvements in surgical technique, implant design and preoperative planning helps to maximise function, pain relief and patient satisfaction following surgery.
Traditional knee replacement surgery is planned using a two dimensional X-ray as a guide for the surgeon to estimate where to remove the arthritic bone and fit the new knee implant. With the new Signature Knee technique the surgeon uses a 3D MRI scan to help plan the operation. The scan is used to generate an exact bone replica of the patient’s knee. From this personal replica, Biomet, the manufacturer of the Signature Knee, creates personalised positioning guides which supports accurate placement of the knee replacement implants. Each patient has a unique shape to their knee and this system allows for individual variation.
The Signature Knee procedure is less invasive than traditional techniques, usually requiring a shorter operating time, and reduced hospital stay for the patient. With a more carefully personalised and fitted implant potential benefits include less pain and longer durability.
Mr Goddard and The Signature Knee procedure was featured recently on BBC South-East. Click here for more information about Personalised Signature Knee replacement, or send an enquiry to Spire Sussex hospital.