Patients needing knee replacements to benefit from ‘navigated surgery’ revolution
A Salford-based orthopaedic surgeon is spearheading the use of computer navigated knee surgery, training colleagues throughout Europe in the pioneering technique.
Knee specialist Mr Shameem Sampath has established the Oaklands Hospital, Salford, as a reference centre for the groundbreaking OrthoPilot computer aided surgery for total knee replacements and anterior cruciate reconstructions.
Building on his growing international reputation, Mr Sampath recently returned from Munich and Vienna where he trained groups of surgeons from throughout Europe and South Africa.
With five years of experience in computer aided knee surgery and international presentations and publications to his credit, Mr Sampath said: “I wouldn’t operate any other way now. The beauty of computer navigation is it delivers superb accuracy time after time.
A Salford-based orthopaedic surgeon is spearheading the use of computer navigated knee surgery, training colleagues throughout Europe in the pioneering technique.
“It has been shown that knees which are out of alignment are associated with a higher chance of failing. If you have a wheel on a car which is not aligned properly the tyres wear faster, and it’s the same with knees.
“In my own series I have an alignment accuracy rate of 99.8 per cent for total knee replacements using the OrthoPilot system.”
The OrthoPilot® system virtually eliminates the likelihood of replacement knees failing because they were not aligned accurately.
The high-tech operating technique uses the power of ‘Sat-Nav’ type technology to lift the accuracy of replacement surgery from around 80 per cent to up to 95 per cent, which could mean replacement knees work better and last longer.
Everyone is different and so are their knees. Computer navigated surgery maps the position of the bones which make up each patient’s knee joint using sensors which are placed at either side of the knee. These create a detailed image and provide real-time information on a computer screen which helps the surgeon accurately guide the implant into position.
Mr Sampath added: “While correct alignment does not rule out the possibility of an operation going wrong due to other causes such as infections or DVTs, every patient wants his or her knee to be done as accurately as possible. That is why I am keen to assist and train the next generation of knee surgeons in Europe and the United Kingdom.”
Photo caption:
Knee specialist Mr Shameem Sampath who uses the OrthoPilot computer navigated operating technique
