Computer Assisted Total Knee Replacement

In computer-assisted total knee replacement two small pins are inserted into the bone above and below the knee prior to the actual surgery. These carry a complex of infra-red balls and using an infra-red scanner within the theatre all the movements of the leg can be measured extremely accurately.

The knee once opened has all the surfaces traced using an infrared pen and this is uploaded into the computer. This creates a 3D image of the patient's knee on the computer.

Then all the bony cuts on the knee are performed with the computer guidance to allow very accurate measurement of the angles at which the bone is cut. This also allows very accurate measurement of how much bone is cut.

The end result is more accurate placement of the knee prosthesis within the knee. In the short and longterm this produces more movement and better longterm clinical function.