How Navigation-Assisted Technology Is Changing Joint Reconstruction Outcomes
Joint replacement surgeries have been revolutionized from their conventional manual approaches to navigation-assisted technologies. This advancement allows orthopaedic surgeons to perform total shoulder replacement and knee replacement surgeries in a highly accurate manner.
What Is Navigation-Assisted Surgery?
Navigation-assisted surgical systems allow for mapping of a unique joint anatomy of the patient even before any cut is made in an operating room. Thus, instead of estimating the angles by eye, the surgeon is assisted throughout the whole process using digital measurements of all key features.
Importance of Navigation for Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement is performed when there is a need to replace a worn-out or damaged joint with an artificial one. The correct positioning of the implant influences the natural movement of a joint after surgery. The navigation system provides the surgeon with information on how to align it properly in accordance with the patient's leg axis.
Advantages of Navigation for Total Shoulder Replacement
As you may know, the shoulder joint is quite complicated and differs from other joints in a number of aspects. It has a greater range of motion, and also, bones in the joint differ more significantly from patient to patient.
Because of all of this, precision becomes especially crucial in total shoulder replacement. The use of navigation systems allows surgeons to place the implant in accordance with the mechanics of individual anatomy. Thus, it allows them to restore joint functionality and mobility in the long run.
Benefits Patients Often Notice
- Greater accuracy of implant placement and alignment
- Possibility of shorter recovery periods
- Lower probability of having to undergo revision surgery in the future
- More natural joint movement
Precision becomes especially helpful in complex or revision surgeries, when the anatomy of the shoulder has already been affected by another surgery before.
Is Navigation-Assisted Surgery Right for Everyone?
There are people who do not require this type of treatment, and initial evaluation should be performed in any case. Nevertheless, for those with complex anatomy and/or joint problems, it usually means one extra measure of precision that cannot be provided through regular surgical procedures.
Conclusion
Thanks to the development of joint reconstruction techniques, navigation systems have become more widespread among patients. With this, more patients achieve better alignment, faster recovery, and longer-lasting results from their surgery.
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