Healthy Living: Replacing Knees With 3D - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Healthy Living: Replacing Knees With 3D

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Every year, knee replacements can put half-a-million Americans out of commission for a month or more. Now, without cutting any muscles, a new option is cutting recovery time. Robyn Haines has your Healthy Living.

 

Even simple things, like standing while making a cup of coffee, became a struggle for Joyce Horowitz when her knee began to bother her four years ago. When the constant ache wouldn't go away, Joyce knew it was time to do something about it.

 

Doctor Robert Zann recommended a total knee replacement using "Shapematch Technology." Here's how it works: MRI images are used to create a 3-D image of your knee. Then a custom fit knee is made, and precisely placed.

 

About 85-percent of knee implants last 20 years. But with better alignment, patients can expect longer-lasting results. Getting back to normal activity is also improved. With traditional surgery, it takes patients 4 to 6 weeks to walk unaided. Joyce was on her feet the same day and walking without a cane in two weeks.

 

Right now, about a dozen surgeons across the U.S. are using the shape-match cutting guides for total knee replacements.