The Conformis Value Proposition

Conformis is the only implant company that makes a truly customized patient-specific total knee replacement. Other companies use patient-specific instrumentation or robotic assistance but are placing generically sized implants that are an average of the general population. Why does this matter? The knee is a very complex joint where form and function are tightly wedded. Stabilizing ligaments insert at specific points on the bone relative to the joint line and flexion axis. The points are different for every patient and the shape of every patient's knee is unique in terms of the curvature of the femur bone, the slope of the tibia bone and the mechanical axis of the joint. Only a custom implant can build these features into the replacement and guarantee that it will replicate the joint line, flexion axis and ligament tension all while providing a perfect fit to the dimensions of the bone.

Equally as compelling is the just-in-time, knee-in-a-box delivery model which requires no inventory for the company as their is a single implant per patient. Other companies need to provide every size option for every case as the proper size is not determined until the time of surgery. This requires trays full of trial implants to be present and open during the case, increasing costs for surgical sterilization and potentially increasing the risk of contamination. The patient specific cutting blocks are low profile and easily lend themselves to a less invasive, quad-sparing approach which can accelerate recovery of quad function after surgery. When Conformis is used in the setting of a well-designed and navigated rapid recovery process, the results can be very impressive and this is backed by literature that shows improved knee kinematics and relative to some commonly used off-the-shelf models.

As joint replacements increasingly transition to outpatient surgery centers, this efficient delivery model that requires fewer instruments and inventory can lead to cost control and efficiencies that no other large implant company can replicate while providing a patient-specific implant.

The idea of any joint replacement is to provide a solution for arthritis mediated joint pain that feels akin to a normal joint, provides a high level of relatively unrestricted activity and lasts for millions of cycles over many years of use. Given these principles, the notion of a custom designed implant makes so much sense, it is a wonder that generically sized implants are still so widely used. I frequently give lectures on the topic of the Conformis knee and after a thorough explanation of the system, I routinely get asked by patients why every surgeon would not use this technology. It is a hard question to answer considering the multiple merits of this system. Furthermore, the Conformis knee can be used in the vast majority of patients. The perception that this knee is only for highly functioning, younger people is incorrect. Every patient regardless of age and activity level deserves a total knee that feels and moves in a natural fashion.

If you would like to watch a comprehensive video on the Conformis knee watch our YouTube Video and visit our website.