Surgeons Navigate the
Way to More Natural Joints
If you have unremitting pain in your knee or hip that limits your mobility, you may want to think about joint replacement. This involves replacing portions of your hip or knee with prosthetic implants.
Now, orthopedic surgeons at Southwest Healthcare System are using the innovative ORTHOsoft® Navigation System to more accurately picture the natural anatomy of hip and knee joints. SWHCS is the only healthcare system in the region to offer this technology.
The system is put to work before any incisions are made. Here's how it works:
- Surgeons place small tracking devices, which emit infrared lights, around the joint.
- A camera detects the light and uses it to create a virtual model of the knee on a computer screen. Surgeons use this model to plan each incision and make minute adjustments as they prepare the joint for the implant.
- Once they've removed the diseased bone and cartilage, surgeons use the system to help determine the appropriate size for the implant and help position it at the correct angle.
"This technology allows surgeons to work more quickly, which decreases the time that patients spend under anesthesia," says Diane Lefebvre, Director of Surgical Services. "And in the long run, the joints provide a more natural range of motion and last longer."
