PINLESS Computer Navigation System for Knee Replacement Surgeries: Dawn of a New Era

A joint replacement surgery is an area that is undergoing constant developments to improve results and reliability. One of such recent developments is PINLESS Computer Navigation System for Total Knee Replacements. Dr (Prof.) Anil Arora is now regularly using this new PINLESS Navigation Technology for Knee Replacements at Max Super Speciality Hospital and Institute of Joint Replacement, Patparganj. He is the first one in North India to use this technology which is precise, helps to achieve perfection, zero error in placement of implanted artificial knee has assured results and is affordable.

Most routine knee replacements worldwide are done using alignment jigs and cutting blocks. These are relatively simple devices that rely on the surgeon’s ability to see and feel the alignment and balance of the knee. Research has demonstrated that even experienced surgeons using these traditional methods (which majority of surgeons still use) have their own limitations in properly balancing and aligning the replaced knee. A well- aligned and properly balanced replaced knee is more likely to last longer. Here comes the role of computer navigation which is an additional check during surgery and helps you achieving perfection.

Although computer navigation for knee replacement surgery has been around for some years, it really never became popular. The earlier versions required drilling extra holes, outside knee, in thigh and leg bones, to attach sensors. This was pin version of computer navigation. These extra pin holes in femur and tibia could sometimes cause serious complications like pin tract infection, fractures and sometimes damage to arteries and nerves.

The newer version, PINLESS Computer Navigation does not require drilling extra holes in thigh and leg bones, totally avoiding these serious complications. A perfectly aligned Knee not only lasts longer, it allows the patient an early recovery. The patient can start walking as early as 4 hours. Another big advantage is the as the surgeon is guided by computer Navigation, he can perform this surgery by making small incisions thereby expediting recovery.

The PINLESS Computer Navigation Technology provides real- time, 3-D imaging and guides the surgeon’s cuts. It also confirms the accuracy of the cuts. This allows the surgeon to accurately place implants and align the leg. Errors in techniques that may otherwise go unnoticed can be quickly seen and corrected. Thus, PINLESS Computer Navigation used during Total Knee Replacement helps to ensure proper positioning of the implants. This is a big boon for the patients with deformities around knees, undergoing knee replacement.

Prof. Arora added, “Nowadays there is a lot of emphasis on long lasting knee implants. But any knee implant will fail if not aligned properly in the knee joint. In simple terms, this is like aligning the wheels of a car. If not done properly, the wheel will not last long and pose a hazard. In patients, less than perfect alignments will lead to early failure of the implanted joint replacement. With PINLESS Computer Navigation Technology, we can give the patient a new knee that has the option position, strength, stability, and range of motion, even in difficult anatomic situations. It’s like having a GPS system in the operating room.”

As the last line, Prof. Arora cautioned and warned about mushrooming of surgeons making false claims that they perform computer navigation knee replacements. Beware of them. The best way to ensure that your patient has undergone computer guided knee replacement is to ask your surgeon to provide a computer navigation report of your patient.