"Cutting Block" Procedure ?? 12-3-09 RTKN

[deb]

Right knee scheduled for 12-3-09 !!:shk: anyone heard of this ??

Marketed by Otis Med and others, the customization of single use, disposable, cutting blocks, is based on measurements determined with a MRI preoperative. The resultant, customized, cutting block can actually diminish the time of a surgical procedure.
This custom-made model serves as a cutting guide or template for the surgeon, indicating precisely how much bone should be removed from both the femur and the tibia. As a result, the surgeon can take off significantly less bone than is excised during standard knee replacement surgery. An additional benefit of the cutting block is that, because it aligns the bones so perfectly, there is no need for the surgeon to put an alignment rod into the tibia or the femur during surgery.

I again my surgery will be outpatient. I am actaully excited to see if the new procedure is less painful and faster recovery time ..

has anyone else had this procedure ? :thmb: Give me details ! I would not call it excitement, but anxious to get it done and see if less pain, and faster recovery ... ( has to be less pain the the "old broken down knee has now " lol thanks for everyone's input deb

 

[Josephine]

I was doing a little search (again) about this product and came upon this which I think you should read. Forearmed is forewarned.

Also
broken link removed: https://blog.tarlowknee.com/2008/02/otis-med-shape-matching-custom-fit.html
https://www.otismed.com/comparison-with-other-techniques.html

 

[deb]

Jo, thanks you for the info I certainly will read over all of it tonight. My OS gave me info to read over also.. I totally trust my OS which is half of the battle, and know that he has done all of his homework.. He suggested that I read up on the procedure if I have questions to contact him. again thanks for all your work and information.. deb

 

[kimberlyann]

Very interesting! I enjoyed Jo's articles, and hope this is a great solution dor Deb.

Best wishes, Kimberly

 

[Clunker]

Wow that's very interesting to say the least.
Jo I hope you can find out more about this.
Deb ,is this the procedure your going to have done,and where are you having it done?
This would be awesome if they take some of the pain away from the initial surgery with more accuracy.
Please keep us posted on this Deb.
Thanks,

 

[Jamie]

Seems like I do recall one or two people here on the forum that had this type of knee done. One problem I recall was that their insurance refused the additional cost associated with this type of surgery. So you might want to check in advance to be sure yours does cover it so you don't have any expensive surprises afterwards.

At the time (and the posts I'm remembering would be almost a year ago), the general consensus was that this type of surgery didn't yield any better results than traditional TKRs and insurances companies felt it was not worth the additional cost. But....things may have changed since.

The bottom line is exactly what you say....you need to trust your surgeon. Work hard to choose an excellent doctor who does MANY knee replacements (as Jo says....around 500 per year) and go with whatever process they use. It's the skill of the surgeon that counts.

Good luck and you'll definitely have to post after your surgery and let us know how it goes.

 

[Texas]

Wow Deb very cool please keep us up to date on how is goes....Love to know....best of luck to ya.......)

 

[RickB]

Deb,
Please google Otis Med, they are having some trouble getting FDA
approval on their claims.

 

[Jayhawk]

The doctor who performed both of my total knee arthroplasties is considered to be one of the best knee replacement experts in the Houston area….performs hundreds and hundreds of surgeries per year. Prior to scheduling my second surgery last February I asked him if there was any new technology “on the horizon” that would make me delay my surgery. Pointly, asked about the Osimed procedure.

His response was that there was nothing pending that would merit a delay….including the Osimed procedure. In his opinion the Ostimed procedure is of little benefit to a highly experienced doctor but rather is an advantage to a lesser experienced doctor…..his skill and experience allow him to properly align and cut as required by the condition of the knee. Additionally, he was very empathetic that the actual condition of the knee can only be evaluated once the surgery has commenced…..regardless of x-rays or MRIs….and changes may be required. If custom cutting blocks are made in advance per the MRI information and the actual condition of the knee is different than what is anticipated….problem. Assume, based on the number of surgeries he performs, would change if the method offered him significant advantage.

There is no better example of his skill and expertise than my extremely successful surgery and recovery……minimally invasive quad sparing procedure; used crutches only the day after surgery; walked out of the hospital the second day after surgery; was able to drive two days after release from the hospital with both left and right leg surgeries (stopped the narcotic pain medicine after I left the hospital); back to work the second week after each surgery; and was completely recovered in 4 ½ months first surgery and 3 ½ months second surgery!!


Steve
Spring, Tx.

 

[Josephine]

Good post, Steve!