A New Procedure for Knee Injuries

Jackie Wells, a patrol officer with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, has benefitted from one of the latest advancements in orthopedics. Wells received a custom fit implant while undergoing surgery to repair an injury in her knee that was previously treated unsuccessfully.

Wells, of Camarillo, visited Dr. Marc Friedman of Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI) last year. A different doctor had performed a tibial osteotomy procedure on her that didn’t resolve the pain and left her left leg longer than her right.

Dr. Friedman evaluated Wells and recommended ConforMIS, a custom fit implant for her damaged joint. Custom-fit knee implants entail using an MRI or CT scan to generate a 3D model of a patient’s knee and designing an implant to conform exactly to the damaged surface of the joint. It’s meant to reduce the chances of failure, and it requires less removal of bone and tissue, which can ease recovery and rehab.

Dr. Friedman is an orthopedic surgeon and knee specialist at SCOI. “ConforMIS has many advantages for the right patient. This procedure can be less invasive and can better ensure a perfect fit of the new implant in a person’s joint.”

Wells underwent physical therapy for two to three months and was cleared for full duty five and a half months after surgery.

Said Wells, “My knees are doing great. I’m amazed. I’m not pushing it too much right now, but I will eventually be snowboarding, mountain biking, and wake boarding.”

ConforMIS was recognized with the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Medical Device Healthcare Innovation.

Send this Article to a Friend

Your Name:
Your E-Mail:
Recipient E-Mail Addresses   · at least one ·
1.
2.
3.
4.