Joint replacement surgery has evolved significantly in recent years. Advances in technology have made joint replacements more durable and natural feeling than ever before, according to Dr. Trevor North, an orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health.
Recovery times have also decreased, allowing people to return to their daily lives more quickly, thanks to improvements in prehabilitation and post-surgery interventions.
If you’ve been contemplating a joint replacement, the timing is better now than it’s ever been.
Here are five innovations that are transforming the field of joint replacement:
1. Durable materials enable younger patients to receive joint replacements
In the past, joint replacements were typically recommended only for those over the age of 60, as earlier implants often didn’t last a lifetime. This was due to the plastic liners used in hip replacements, which wore out after about 10 years, leading to bone loss and soft tissue damage.
“The construction of plastic liner has improved significantly,” North said. “Even after 20 years, there is almost no detectable wear.”
Now, even younger patients in their 30s who need hip replacements due to trauma can receive them successfully.
“Instead of pushing these patients off, we’re telling them it’s better to get a hip replacement now so they can stay healthy and fit -- so they don’t develop secondary comorbidities while waiting to have surgery years down the line,” North said.
Advancements in technology also allow young people to receive knee replacements. Previously, cement adhesives were used, but now an uncemented, non-adhesive porous backing is employed. Within six to 10 weeks, the patient’s own bone grows onto the implant, creating a lifelong, biological bond.
2. Partial knee surgery provides a more natural feel
Partial knee replacement surgery is gaining popularity.
“Replacing half of the knee can be beneficial for people who have sustained damage on just one side of the knee due to a trauma,” North said. “Since we’re leaving part of the knee intact (plus the ACL, which isn’t kept intact during a total knee replacement), it allows them to have total functionality and gives them the feeling of almost a completely normal knee.”
3. Robotic technology ensures greater precision
Robotic surgery has become a groundbreaking advancement in the past two decades. It enables surgeons to control a robotic arm while viewing the surgical site through a high-definition, 3D computer screen. The flexible instruments attached to the robotic arm enhance surgical accuracy.
“Robotic technology allows us to put the implant exactly where it needs to be, over and over again,” North said. “If an implant is not in the correct spot, the plastic implant liner can wear down more quickly and surgery may need to be redone. The goal of robotics is to increase the longevity of implants.”
4. 3D printing creates custom-fit implants
For complex joint issues, 3D printing allows for the creation of personalized implants. Doctors take a CT scan of the joint, which is then 3D printed.
“If someone has significant bone loss due to a previous joint replacement, a 3D-printed implant can fill the defect that resulted from bone loss,” North said. “This can improve the longevity of the implant because it fits so perfectly on their bone. It takes a lot of guesswork out of complicated surgeries.”
5. Smart sensors enhance recovery monitoring
A smart sensor -- a Bluetooth-enabled device attached to a knee replacement during surgery -- allows surgeons to track the patient’s steps, range of motion and activity levels post-surgery.
“The sensor also comes with communication tools so we can identify patients who are on track and doing well, along with those who are at risk of not achieving an optimal recovery,” said North. “This allows for early intervention to get someone back on track for a successful outcome.”
Click or tap here to learn more about joint replacement surgery at Henry Ford Health.