Surgeon’s Skill over Implant Design

A recent study release by the Henry Ford Hospital finds the success of total knee replacement surgery still is dependent on the surgeon's skill. Researchers found that utilizing a series of common but nuanced surgical techniques is far more important to customizing the fit of a patient's implant than the implant's design.

“Customized knee implants will not replace the need for precise, methodical surgical skill,” says Jason Davis, M.D., a Henry Ford joint replacement surgeon and the study’s lead author. “While improving outcomes will continue to evolve, getting back to the basics of surgery is still paramount to successful knee replacement.”

The study was presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Reference:

1. "Surgeon's Skill, Not Implant Design Key to Knee Replacement", Feb. 16, 2011