The Next Generation: Monitored Real-Time Patient Specific TKA

Early developments of computer assisted TKA focused on improving the technical aspects of proper registration, improved ease of use of instrumentation to ensure proper placement of cutting blocks and implants, and to document the technical improvements in alignment that come with the use of these technologies. There was minimal adoption of these technologies, as costs have been high and measured improvement in outcomes has not been demonstrated. Patient specific instrumentation (PSI), involving preoperative three dimensional imaging and engineering of patient specific guides have been more actively embraced by the orthopaedic community – with industry embracing the technology and promoting it vigorously. This has increased interest in the use of three dimensional technologies – with reported use by up to 14% of orthopaedists in the US- despite the fact that scientific evidence has been mixed. The next generation is merging these technologies, taking the best features of both to give the surgeon control of the patient specific TKA process. Sophisticated morphing technology coupled with innovative instrumentation now allows MONITORED real time PSI – affording the surgeon a means to fully understand the knee deformity being addressed, make decisions based on quantitative information that is accurate and easy to assess, and to resect and position parts as planned, confirming position easily (See Figure 1 & Figure 2). Additional ability to perform and monitor balancing is available if desired. From April 2012 to April 2013 sixty-two TKAs in 56 patients underwent TKA using the Exactech GPS system. Twenty-four knees had CR TKA for varus deformity, 5 for valgus deformity; 27 had PS TKA for varus deformity, 5 for valgus deformity. The average AP alignment was 4.0°; the average clinical ROM at the most recent follow-up for CR TKA was 107° vs. 112° for PS TKA which was not significantly different. One knee has been revised to a more constrained insert for CR deficiency. These cases were to validate the integrity of the instruments and software of a new navigation system. In April 2013, personalized instrumentation has been introduced to easily position femoral resection pins through a single, navigated instrument. Pin accuracy and cutting efficiency are easily documented, and proper femoral position in all planes is controlled. No additional imaging is needed, and the surgeon controls all aspects of decision making directly, monitored real-time patient specific TKA. It can easily be integrated for a balanced gap approach to implant positioning. This represents the newest application of three dimensional technologies and continues the field moving toward technologies that allow the surgeon to directly control all aspects of patient specific TKA.