What Happens During Surgery?

Stryker Navigation technology uses special tracking devices, providing your surgeon a comprehensive understanding of your joint mechanics in the operating room (OR). Armed with this information, your surgeon can make adjustments within a fraction of a degree, helping to ensure your new joint has the stability and range of motion needed for a successful replacement.

Specifically, the technology uses the latest advancements in science and computer engineering to make the procedure more accurate than joint surgery without it.

As the surgeon moves an instrument within your joint, special infrared trackers calculate its position and wireless instruments instantaneously transfer the data to a computer in the OR.

This information is then displayed on a monitor as an interactive model of the anatomy or “blueprint” that supplies the surgeon with all the angles, lines and measurements of your unique anatomy.

The surgeon will then replace the diseased bone with new, artificial joint components often called prostheses or implants. Joint implants are engineered to replicate a normal, healthy joint.

With certain techniques, your surgeon may use pins that hold trackers around the incision site of your joint. These temporary placeholders give the computer key information and may make the surgery even more exact, but it does mean the possibility of additional scarring at the pin points. Emerging technologies and alternative techniques may reduce the number of incisions and therefore reduce scarring. Talk to your doctor about these techniques.

What are the Potential Risks?

The risk factors associated with conventional total joint replacement remain. In addition, surgery time may be extended. Talk to your doctor about the types of joint surgery appropriate for you and the risks associated with any surgery.

For more information visit www.aboutStryker.com, and contact your doctor.

Why Orthopedic Surgeons Choose Computer-Assisted Technology

Computer-Assisted technology allows for better visualization of anatomy, which is particularly important when minimally-invasive techniques are used. This technology provides your surgeon with comprehensive data about your anatomy which may result in more exact placement of your joint replacement, allowing the surgeon to more accurately plan for your surgery with a partial 3-dimensional model of your knee.² It also provides the surgeon with control, feedback and the ability to correct potential errors during the surgery.¹

Potential Benefits of Computer-Assisted Surgery

There are several potential benefits for those that have computer-assisted surgery with their total joint replacement:

• Designed to help your surgeon place joint replacement implants with precision, which may increase the life of your replacement¹
• Reduces the risk of dislocation and revision surgery¹
• Results in greater stability and range of motion^3,4
• Helps improve the overall function of your joint replacement⁴

Computer-assisted surgery may allow for less-invasive surgical techniques, which have several other potential advantages, including:

• Reduced blood loss during surgery, which lessens the need for a blood transfusion⁸
• Faster recovery⁷
• Reduced length of your hospital stay⁶
• Shorter post-operative physical rehabilitation⁷
• Less scarring^5,7

Computer-Assisted Knee Replacement

Tremendous advances have been made in joint replacement surgery, making it a viable option for a greater number of people than ever before.

Dr. Janke, Dr. Naide and Dr. Malloy utilize computer-assisted technology to perform total knee replacement surgery. This advanced technique enhances results and recovery of a total knee replacement by providing more accurate placement and alignment of implants.

A Giant Step Forward in Joint Replacement

If you’re reading this section, chances are you (or a loved one) are considering or preparing for joint replacement surgery.

You’ve likely tried several non-surgical therapies, including anti-inflammatory medication, injections into your joint and physical therapy.

Still, pain and limited movement may hold you back from doing the things you used to do without worry.

And now there’s even better news.

Over the past four decades joint replacement has been proven to relieve severe joint pain and restore joint function in over 90% of patients undergoing the procedure.*

As you read, make a note of anything you don’t understand. Your doctor will be happy to answer your questions so that you’ll feel comfortable and confident with your chosen treatment plan.

Leading Technology

During a joint replacement procedure, your surgeon will strive to ensure that everything is aligned properly. Accurate alignment of the hip or knee components is critical to the overall function of your new joint,^1,2 and it also plays a role in helping your joint feel healthy again, and helping the joint replacement to potentially last longer.

Computer-assisted technology has made it possible for your orthopedic specialist to navigate joint replacement procedures with a level of accuracy so precise it may improve the results of your total knee replacement surgery.¹