Consultancy Corner: Customised therapy for your knee

This new technology is revolutionising knee-replacement surgery much like the sophisticated Umpire Decision Review System changed the face of cricket. Preplan is an advanced technology that makes the knee replacement surgery simpler and accurate. The success of surgery hinges on alignment and positioning of implant at the right position within the joint to facilitate smooth knee movement without putting strain on knee. In order to ensure the proper positioning of implant, a detailed virtual 3D model of knee is created based on a patient’s unique anatomy using a CT scan of the damaged joint. It provides the surgeon a pre-operative personalised plan during the surgery, allowing him to make the necessary adjustments accurately within the predefined area. It helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of implant. 

Every joint is different and unique and preplan technology helps in fitting the replacement joint in exactly the right place to work, as per each person’s anatomy, by pre-deciding the most appropriate alignment with the help of advanced CT scan. 

Based on scan and 3D modeling, a patient- specific knee replacement is designed giving the most appropriate bone cuts and positioning of the implant. During the operation, the surgeon still has ultimate control, and can check the fit of the knee like he/she would during a conventional surgery.

Since Preplan uses CT scans to accurately define the alignment, the probability and possibility to achieve correct position and alignment is nearly 100%  accuracy and can be re-produced consistently. This whole process is done before the surgery and the final settings are done on the Preplan which saves 15-20 minutes of operative time during the surgery. 

The technology is considered a viable option for patients with severe knee joint disorders, but many older patients continue to suffer in pain due to fear of surgery and its associated risks. Experts believe that Preplan technique greatly reduces the risks and offers better clinical outcomes with less operating time, less blood loss, faster recovery and shorter hospital stay. 

Preplan technology is a radical innovation and a technical breakthrough in TKR, because it not only ensures proper prosthetic alignment, but also ensures safer surgery, reduced blood loss, substantially less pain, shorter hospital stay, less trauma, minimum surgery time than traditional knee replacements. 

Patients with severe knee disorders grapple with intolerable pain on a daily basis, which majorly affects their quality of life. Preplan TKR takes away the constant discomfort that severe knee problem inflicts on patients and helps them to be back on their feet, enjoying a pain-free life. 

This technology is a boon for the patient who can benefit tremendously by a shorter operative time, improved post-operative alignment and better fitting implants, while for the hospital and doctors, it improves operating time efficiencies and the eliminates cleaning, sterilisation and inventory costs.