Leading Technology

Leading Technology at United Regional

Tremendous advances have been made in joint replacement surgery. And now there’s even better news. In the operating room, computer-assisted navigation technology provides orthopedic surgeons with detailed information about your new joint mechanics to make the procedure more accurate.

How it works. 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 operating room.

This information is then displayed on a monitor as an interactive model of the anatomy or “blueprint” that also shows the surgeon all angles, lines and measurements of your unique anatomy. The surgeon uses the monitor while replacing the diseased bone with new, artificial joint components, often called prostheses or implants. The virtual model helps a surgeon identify and make necessary adjustments to the implants to help ensure your new joint has the stability and range of motion needed for a successful replacement.

There are a number of benefits to having a computer-assisted, orthopedic surgical procedure:

• Increases surgical precision of joint replacement implant placement, which may increase the life of your replacement
• Helps reduce the risk of dislocation and revision surgery
• May help provide greater stability and range of motion
• Helps improve the overall function of your joint replacement

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

• Reduced blood loss during surgery, which reduces the need for a blood transfusion
• Faster recovery
• Reduced length of your hospital stay
• Shorter post-operative physical rehabilitation
• Less scarring