February 2010

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Are you suffering from knee arthritis, but think recovering from a knee replacement would be a long, slow process? Here's good news.

Zimmer—maker of the Gender-Specific Knee—has just introduced PSI, or Patient-Specific Instrument, knee replacement. “This nextgeneration surgery uses computer technology to perfectly align the knee replacement to your anatomy,” says Daniel Zanotti, MD. “And a better fit promotes a faster recovery.”

Dr. Zanotti performed Ohio's first PSI knee replacement on Jan. 19. Just one month later, his patient, 67-year-old Virginia Ehlert of Elyria, Ohio, is back to living an active life. Here's her story.

Before PSI knee replacement:
‘My knee was so painful I couldn't walk’

Last November, Virginia had had enough of her arthritis knee pain. “I said, ‘This is it,’ and decided to get something done,” she recalls. A neighbor recommended Dr. Daniel Zanotti.

“Dr. Zanotti asked me if I'd like to try the new Zimmer knee and I said, ‘Sure,’” Virginia recalls. “Dr. Zanotti explained all the things that would go with it—the MRI—taking pictures of my hip, my ankle and my knee. I went through all the preparations and had surgery.”

The day after surgery, Virginia's physical therapist helped her raise her leg, then stand on it. “Then the therapist said, ‘Now you're going to walk,’” Virginia recalls.

“I asked her, ‘Do I put my full weight on it?’ and she said, ‘Yes,’” says Virginia. “I did—and I had no pain at all!”

Virginia spent four days in the hospital; when she went home, the physical therapist provided home health care. “I did a lot of physical therapy—bending and flexing the knee,” she recalls.

“I was driving two weeks after surgery,” says Virginia. “In less than three weeks, I was moving around without a walker.”

A month after PSI:
‘When I walk, there's no pain at all’

“I think this is awesome!” says Virginia. “When I walk, there's absolutely no pain at all. I'm very impressed. Home health care was here—they said they'd never seen a recovery like it.

“And I've hit my rehab goal already,” she adds. Less than a month after her PSI knee replacement, Virginia could completely straighten her knee.

“The physical therapist shook my hand and told me, ‘That's amazing for the length of time you've been working at it,’” says Virginia.

“Before surgery, I had to plan every step I took because it hurt so bad,” she recalls. “Now I have such confidence in that leg and it's so strong.

“This summer, my granddaughter wants to go back to Disney World,” says Virginia. “And now I won't need a wheelchair!”

Each patient's recovery is unique and depends on many factors. Virginia's case is presented as an example.

Daniel Zanotti, MD

Does insurance cover Zimmer PSI knee replacement?

Like other knee replacement procedures, Zimmer PSI knee replacement is typically covered by health insurance. The Center for Orthopedics accepts a wide range of insurance plans.

Please call our office at 440.329.2800 if you have questions about your insurance coverage. We'll be happy to help you.

For an appointment, call 440.329.2800.

How does Zimmer PSI knee replacement work?

• Before surgery, you will have an MRI to take very precise, three-dimensional (3-D) measurements of your knee.
  
  
• Your surgeon will use this 3-D image and specialized computer software to create a detailed plan for your surgery, including customized instrumentation that shows exactly how your new knee should be positioned.

“PSI enables us to perfectly align all the cuts we make in the bone, and thus perfectly align the knee replacement,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “We don't have to rely on an ‘eyeball factor’ to get it right.

“The knee replacement itself is the same one we've used for many years. It has an excellent track record and is one of the most proven knee replacements on the market—and one we're very happy with.

“Unlike earlier technologies, PSI doesn't require us to switch the type of knee replacement we use to adapt to the new technology.”

Is PSI less-invasive surgery?

Yes. “There's less cutting of bone with PSI,” says Dr. Zanotti. “We don't have to drill holes in the shinbone or thighbone, which is a standard part of most knee replacements.

“We think PSI is another step toward minimally invasive technology that should allow quicker recovery for you,” he adds.

Questions? Call 440.329.2800