Centerpulse Orthopedics Introduces Minimally Invasive Unicompartmental Knee Instrumentation

AUSTIN, Texas -- Centerpulse Orthopedics Inc., a subsidiary of Centerpulse, today announced the Natural-Knee Unicompartmental System Instrumentation for minimally invasive unicompartmental knee replacement (partial replacement of the knee joint). Designed to reduce the surgical incision from eight inches to three inches, Centerpulse's newest addition to its Natural-Knee System offers the potential for quicker patient recovery time and less pain due to minimal disruption of soft tissue.

The Natural-Knee Unicompartmental System MIS Instrumentation is the latest advancement in the comprehensive Natural-Knee family from Centerpulse. Designed to be bone conserving, provide excellent anatomic realignment and reproducible results, it is consistent with the Natural-Knee product family. The Natural-Knee Unicompartmental System MIS Instrumentation is designed to achieve accurate, reproducible alignment, sizing and resection, which complements traditional instruments and gives surgeons a choice of approaches. Natural-Knee is one of the few product lines in the orthopedics industry with more than 10 years of excellent clinical results.

The Natural-Knee Unicompartmental System is an early intervention solution for patients who suffer from painful osteoarthritis confined to one side of the knee. Available in both porous and non-porous options, it is designed to resurface only the damaged portions of the joint, preserving the healthy natural anatomy. The goal of the implant is to relieve pain and help patients regain mobility; the instrumentation is designed to provide placement with a smaller scar. It is the second minimally invasive system that has been developed by Centerpulse under the CARE MIS program for the treatment of early osteoarthritis. The first MIS system, the UniSpacer Knee System, was introduced last April.

"Thanks to this technology, we are able to significantly reduce the surgical incision, meaning less scar tissue and quicker recovery," said Dr. Aaron Hofmann, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Utah Medical Center who helped design the Natural-Knee Unicompartmental System. "Instead of spending five or six days recovering at the hospital, we're seeing patients active and mobile in three days or less."

Hofmann is one of the country's leading surgeons in minimally invasive surgical techniques. He conducts live surgery broadcast demonstrations and discussions for orthopedic surgeons across the country and participates in the Center for Orthopedic Innovation, a program established by Centerpulse to help surgeons perfect their techniques with innovative minimally invasive orthopedic devices and instrumentation.

"Our minimally invasive knee systems are advancing orthopedic surgery to a new level of sophistication," said David Floyd, president of Centerpulse Orthopedics Inc. "Our goal is to continue to bring products to market that reduce the invasiveness of the surgical procedure, preserve bone and other tissue, minimize patient discomfort and maximize positive outcomes."

Centerpulse Orthopedics is taking a responsible approach to MIS technology based on its belief that the long-term success of MIS procedures is dependent upon surgeons confidently adapting new techniques, instruments and implants. Centerpulse emphasizes a collaborative environment focused on surgeon involvement, from design to training to clinical follow-up. The company developed the Center for Orthopedic Innovation to provide a setting for surgeons to learn and practice new surgical procedures, as well as share their results for the development of best practices.

Source: PRNewswire