Your Partial Knee Surgery - UniSpacer™
X-ray Templating
Using special UniSpacer templates,
your doctor can determine which size may be best for you before the surgery
even begins.
Arthroscopic Debridement & Resection of the Meniscus.
This part of the procedure is similar to a standard “scope” that many patients
may have already undergone. Your doctor will make a few small incisions in
your knee and insert a small tube with a light and a camera on the tip. The
camera projects images of the inside of your knee onto a television screen,
guiding the surgeon as he or she maneuvers the instrument.
During the arthroscopy, your doctor will look around the inside of your knee to make sure that you are indeed a candidate for the UniSpacer. If you are, your doctor will remove your meniscus and clean up any excess debris during this stage. Also, a length measurement will be taken to verify which size implant to use.
Arthrotomy
This is the part of the procedure where
your doctor will make a standard cut to open up your knee. The incision
is typically 2-3 inches long.
Osteophyte Removal
The body sometimes forms small
bony growths called osteophytes to try and compensate for an unbalanced
joint. Your knee may have some of these osteophytes. Your doctor will be
able to recognize and remove them before inserting the UniSpacer
Thickness Measurement
Your doctor will use
a thickness gauge to help further determine what size UniSpacer may work for
your knee.
Tibial & Femoral Cartilage Preparation
Before
inserting the UniSpacer, your knee will require some preparation. In order
to provide a smooth surface for the UniSpacer to interface with the bones in
your knee, your doctor may have to level out the rough spots by removing or
reshaping cartilage. How much preparation is needed is particular to each
individual’s knee.
Trial Insertion
Before inserting the actual
UniSpacer implant, an implant trial will be used. This trial simulates the
real implant, which allows your doctor to evaluate how the implant will work
in your knee.
Fluoroscopic Evaluation
Another tool to help your
doctor evaluate how the UniSpacer will work in your knee is the
Fluoroscope. It works like an x-ray, and gives a real-time image of your
knee with the implant trial inserted. Your doctor will move your knee
through multiple series of extensions and flexions to judge the sizing and
motion of the device.
Final Implantation
After evaluating the implant
trial for correct sizing and function, your doctor will then replace it with
the actual UniSpacer implant.
Related Article: How to Prepare for UniSpacer Surgery and What to Expect During and After Surgery
