Designed to Facilitate Joint Replacement
As joint replacement techniques and prosthesis materials continue to improve, increasing number of patients are turning to this procedure to ease joint pain and return to a more active lifestyle.
The field of orthopedics has been transformed by advancements in the surgical replacement of hips and knees for patients with arthritis and other debilitating diseases and conditions. the nationally recognized joint replacement center at North Broward Medical Center (NBMC) has been on the leading edge for clinical utilization of the latest technological advances in joint replacement.
“Among our specialty procedures are anterior hip replacement and computer-assisted knee replacement,” says Dr. Bruce Janke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Joint Replacement Center at NBMC. “Anterior hip replacement offers the same benefits of the traditional procedure, but because it’s a muscle-sparing technique, the patient experiences faster rehabilitation and none of the typical complications previously associated with recovery from a hip replacement operation.”
For hip replacement surgeries at NBMC, Dr. Janke uses a hana® table to better facilitate the anterior approach. The hana® table allows the orthopedic surgeon to position and secure the patient’s leg to improve frontal access during the procedure. When a hana® table is utilized, imaging capabilities can function concurrently to enhance visibility and enable precise placement of the implant.
An anterior hip replacement requires a two-to-four day hospitalization rather that the inpatient stay of up to 10 days common for patients undergoing conventional surgery. The anterior technique also utilizes an incision approximately half the length of that needed for the traditional open procedure and, most significantly for recovery, does not involve any muscle detachment.
Healing Knees
“We’ve been performing computer-assisted knee replacements for about five years,” says Dr. Janke. “The enhanced visualization capabilities of this equipment allow us to operate with increased precision, resulting in better functioning of the prosthesis and reduced need for follow-up procedures.”
The computer assists orthopedic surgeons by helping to align the angles of the bone cuts for implants that are better placed and longer lasting.
“Knee replacements have the potential to cause considerable discomfort, and we feel that the computer-assisted method helps us work toward better outcomes for our patient,” says Dr. Janke. “We also try to minimize discomfort through femoral nerve blocks and multi-modal pain management.”
With both computer-assisted knee replacements and anterior hip replacement, it’s not uncommon for patients to go hoe directly after surgery.
“A sizable percentage of our hip and knee replacement patients can be discharged immediately,” says Dr. Janke. “A patient who remains will be placed in a private room and will have access to physical and group therapy.”
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