BALTIMORE, Md. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – As the U.S. population ages, the wear and tear of daily life on critical joints grows, too. Now, some physicians are not only replacing knees, but also implanting a tiny FDA-approved sensor to relay real-time information about recovery back to the doctor and patient.
Knee replacement surgery replaces damaged bones with metal and plastic parts, which are now being improved with a tiny tracking sensor, just approved by the FDA.
Orthopedic surgeon at Mercy Medical Center, Marc Hungerford, MD says, “You do something and you see how it went, and then you make a change and you see if it helped.”
The motion tracer records daily steps, functional range of motion, cadence and walking speed during activity, transmitting that information while you’re sleeping.
“This is next to their bedside, and the sensor will wake up and transmit that motion information,” explains Dr. Hungerford.
Furnishing real-time cloud data, accessible by physician or patient, who can then compare their progress to others.
Dr. Hungerford says, “They have comparatives, right? So, they have, ‘How am I doing compared to people my own age?’”
This groundbreaking knee sensor is new – Dr. Hungerford has only used it in 10 patients – but it’s promising good results.
The goal of the Persona IQ Sensor is 100 percent patient compliance to improve quality of patient life and to relay real-time information on knee function and patient recovery.
Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Sharon Dennis, Editor.
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Source:
https://rheumatology.org/patients/joint-replacement-surgery#
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: KNEES TALK BACK!
REPORT: MB #5334
BACKGROUND: The knee joint is a complex and crucial hinge joint that connects the thigh bone, the femur, to the shin bone, the tibia. It plays a pivotal role in supporting body weight, facilitating movement, and absorbing forces during various activities. Injuries to the knee joint are common and can range from minor sprains to severe ligament tears or fractures. The knee joints have several important jobs such as moving the legs, supporting the body when standing or moving, and stabilizing your overall balance. The knee is a synovial joint that has the most freedom to move. Knee joint injuries and pains affect approximately 25 percent of adults in the United States.
(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24777-knee-joint
DIAGNOSING: Diagnosing joint injuries involves a thorough clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and, in some cases, additional diagnostic procedures. Doctors aim to identify the specific type and extent of the injury to guide appropriate treatment. During a physical exam, a doctor is most likely to inspect the joint for swelling, pain, and tender areas, check to see how far the lower leg or affected area can move, and push and pull the joint in order to evaluate the severity of the affected structures. In many cases, doctors will also perform imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs. If inflammation or infection is suspected it is likely a blood test will be ordered and a procedure called arthrocentesis. During this procedure, a small amount of fluid is removed from the affected joint with a needle and sent to a lab for further review.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-pain/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350855
NEW TECHNOLOGY: New technologies are paving the way for joint replacement surgery recoveries. They include robotics and computer navigation, along with 3D-printed implants, smart sensors, and other wearable gadgets that can aid in improving overall recovery. Arthroscopic minimally invasive surgeries use small instruments and incisions that are less than an inch long for certain orthopedic procedures. Robotic surgery arms are allowing surgeons to maximize the precision of hip and knee replacement surgeries. The new methods ensure the surgeon that each step of their surgery plan is done as intended to be so.
(Source: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_latest-technologies-used-in-total-joint-replacement-surgery-hss.asp
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Collins
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