Redefining Mobility: Transforming Joint Replacement to Achieve Full Function, Faster?

Bone and joint diseases are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and disability in the world [1]. Given that joints are essential for all complex movements and activities, it is understandable that these diseases can significantly impact a person’s functioning and quality of life [1].

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the world and classically presents with joint pain and loss of function [2]. It is a disease of the entire joint, sparing no tissues and is clinically very variable [2], meaning that it can affect many people in many different ways. In fact, 40% of people over the age of 70 years suffer from OA of the knee, and 80% of people with OA have some limitation of movement to the point where 25% cannot perform routine daily activities [1]. The cause of OA is an interplay of risk factors such as older age, female gender, obesity, muscle weakness, and joint injury, mechanical stress, and abnormal joint mechanics [2]. The combination leads to the destruction of the cartilage layer of the joint, causing inflammation and other signs and symptoms associated with OA [1,2].

Currently, treatment goals for OA are to minimize both pain and functional loss [1]. Comprehensive disease management involves non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies and joint replacement surgery, if necessary [1,2]. Pain is the predominant symptom in OA and is a significant driver of clinical decision-making [1]. The majority of OA cases can be well managed with pain-modifying treatment, but in cases of significant disability, or where pain management is not successful, joint replacement surgery may be recommended [1,2]. ?

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one such surgery, which involves replacing damaged or diseased knee components with artificial parts, such as the Evolution? Medial-Pivot Knee System from MicroPort Orthopedics, to alleviate pain and enhance function [3]. With superior flexion stability, anatomic motion, and wear-limiting design characteristics, the Evolution? Medial-Pivot Knee System seeks to address the limitations of traditional implants.

Built upon a legacy of 95% patient satisfaction [4] with 98.8% survivorship at 17 years [4], the Evolution? Medial-Pivot Knee System delivers a secure, highly conforming articulation that provides stability throughout a patient’s range of motion. With its single-radius design, the Evolution? Medial-Pivot Knee System provides stability through all flexion phases. It decreases AP translation to help achieve a more normal feel – representing a dramatic advance over traditional knee replacements, which have been shown to exhibit anterior-posterior translation that can decrease stability and cause early revisions [5,6].

As one of the most highly effective, cost-efficient, and consistently successful surgical procedures in orthopedics, TKA provides reliable outcomes and high satisfaction for patients suffering from end-stage degenerative knee OA [3]. As with any surgical intervention, individual results may vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery. Advancements encompass surgical approaches, implant designs, and perioperative care. TKA has evolved significantly over the years and continues to evolve due to continuing advancements in surgical approaches, implant designs, and perioperative care.

Learn more about MicroPort Orthopedics: www.microportortho.com

Learn more about MicroPort: www.microport.com

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Evolution? is a registered trademark of MicroPort Orthopedics.

References:

1.?Verhaar JAN. Degenerative and Inflammatory Joint Diseases [online]. In: Verhaar JAN, Kj?rsgaard-Andersen P, Limb D, Günther KP, Karachalios TH (Eds). The EFFORT White Book: “Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Europe [online]. 2021 [cited 2024, May 30]. Retrieved from: URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585938/

2.?Sen R, Hurley JA. Osteoarthritis [online]. 2023, Feb 20 [cited 2024, May 30]. Retrieved from: URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482326/ .

3.?Varacallo M, Luo TD, Mabrouk A, Johanson NA. Total Knee Arthroplasty Techniques [online]. 2024, May 06 [cited 2024, May 30]. Retrieved from: URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499896/ .

4.?Based on a retrospective study of Advance? Medial-Pivot. Macheras GA, Galanakos SP, Lepetsos P, Anastasopoulos PP, Papadakis SA. A long term clinical outcome of the medial pivot knee arthroplasty system. Knee 2017;24(2):447-53.

5.?Dennis DA, Komistek RD, Mahfouz MR, Haas BD, Stiehl JB. Conventry award paper: multicenter determination of in vivo kinematics after total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2003;416:37-57.

6.?Schmidt R, Komistek RD, Blaha JD, Penenberg BL, Maloney WJ. Fluoroscopic analyses of cruciate-retaining and medial pivot knee implants. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2003;410:139-47.