Guest guest Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Electronic Knee May 31, 2004 Jen Christensen Knee Replacement The knee is a hinged joint that connects the lower end of the thighbone (femur) with the upper shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). The joint takes a lot of pressure during movement and is susceptible to injury. Patients with knee pain and/or limited joint motion may be helped with medications, lifestyle adjustments, physical therapy and mobility aids. When treatments no longer help, or when knee pain becomes severe and debilitating, doctors may recommend knee replacement surgery. To perform a knee replacement, doctors make an incision into the leg. The damaged part of the thighbone is removed. The end of the remaining bone is reshaped to fit a new metal component, which is glued to the bone. Next, the damaged portions of the shinbone and cartilage are removed and the end is reshaped. A metal component is secured to the end of the shinbone. Then, a plastic plate is attached to the metal part of the shinbone. Finally, doctors cement a new plastic component under the kneecap. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 300,000 knee replacements are performed annually in the U.S. The most common reason for the surgery is osteoarthritis (wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the joint). Other indications for knee replacement include rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis (arthritis that develops sometime after a serious joint injury). Knee Replacement Failure Knee replacement reduces pain and improves quality of life for about 90 percent of patients. For the majority of people, the new artificial knee will last 15 years or more. Failure rates (i.e., loosening or breakage) for knee replacements are about one percent/year. Activity levels and weight may influence the longevity of a knee replacement. But in some cases, doctors don¹t know why artificial knees fail. The Electronic Knee Researchers at Scripps Hospital are using new technology to gain a better understanding of the different joint forces that may contribute to knee failure. The electronic knee is a one-of-a-kind prosthesis fitted with extra sensors inside the tibial (shinbone) portion of a slightly modified implant. Tiny transducers sit on four posts sandwiched between two platforms. A tiny microprocessor sits in the middle of the implant. Movement of the knee changes the position of the four posts. The microprocessor records the stresses or forces on the posts. Then, the information is transmitted through a tiny antennae at the bottom of the implant to a special coil placed around the leg. From there, the data is transmitted to a computer, where it can be analyzed by investigators. Currently, researchers are using the information from the electronic knee to gain a better understanding about the nature of the forces during different levels and types of activity. Investigators hope the data will help them design better implants or make specific recommendations for rehabilitation and activity levels after surgery. http://www.hoinews.com/news/features/4/796587.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Very exciting idea, a! I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Electronic Knee Electronic Knee May 31, 2004 Jen Christensen Knee Replacement The knee is a hinged joint that connects the lower end of the thighbone (femur) with the upper shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). The joint takes a lot of pressure during movement and is susceptible to injury. Patients with knee pain and/or limited joint motion may be helped with medications, lifestyle adjustments, physical therapy and mobility aids. When treatments no longer help, or when knee pain becomes severe and debilitating, doctors may recommend knee replacement surgery. To perform a knee replacement, doctors make an incision into the leg. The damaged part of the thighbone is removed. The end of the remaining bone is reshaped to fit a new metal component, which is glued to the bone. Next, the damaged portions of the shinbone and cartilage are removed and the end is reshaped. A metal component is secured to the end of the shinbone. Then, a plastic plate is attached to the metal part of the shinbone. Finally, doctors cement a new plastic component under the kneecap. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 300,000 knee replacements are performed annually in the U.S. The most common reason for the surgery is osteoarthritis (wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the joint). Other indications for knee replacement include rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis (arthritis that develops sometime after a serious joint injury). Knee Replacement Failure Knee replacement reduces pain and improves quality of life for about 90 percent of patients. For the majority of people, the new artificial knee will last 15 years or more. Failure rates (i.e., loosening or breakage) for knee replacements are about one percent/year. Activity levels and weight may influence the longevity of a knee replacement. But in some cases, doctors don¹t know why artificial knees fail. The Electronic Knee Researchers at Scripps Hospital are using new technology to gain a better understanding of the different joint forces that may contribute to knee failure. The electronic knee is a one-of-a-kind prosthesis fitted with extra sensors inside the tibial (shinbone) portion of a slightly modified implant. Tiny transducers sit on four posts sandwiched between two platforms. A tiny microprocessor sits in the middle of the implant. Movement of the knee changes the position of the four posts. The microprocessor records the stresses or forces on the posts. Then, the information is transmitted through a tiny antennae at the bottom of the implant to a special coil placed around the leg. From there, the data is transmitted to a computer, where it can be analyzed by investigators. Currently, researchers are using the information from the electronic knee to gain a better understanding about the nature of the forces during different levels and types of activity. Investigators hope the data will help them design better implants or make specific recommendations for rehabilitation and activity levels after surgery. http://www.hoinews.com/news/features/4/796587.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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