New Study Reports Unparalleled Clinical Results For Treatment Of Anterior Knee Arthritis

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopedics;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 05 Dec 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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In a recent issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS), unparalleled surgical outcomes were reported when using Kinamed's FDA-cleared KineMatch® Patello-Femoral Replacement device which replaces just one part of the knee unlike "total knee replacements" that replace all three compartments of the knee. Twenty-five (25) consecutive knees were treated with the KineMatch device. At an average follow-up period of 73 months (6+ Years following surgery) all 25 implants were in place and functioning well. There were 18 "Excellent" and 7 "Good" results using the Knee Society scoring method. No patient had required additional surgery or had component loosening.

According to the study's lead author and primary surgeon (Domenick J. Sisto, MD, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Institute, Sherman Oaks, CA), "the KineMatch device has offered a remarkable benefit and return to function for our patients with intractable patello-femoral disease who were otherwise facing the prospect of total knee replacement or patella removal." Dr. Sisto continued, "the KineMatch device is a conservative approach that is appropriate on a unique subset of patients who would otherwise be candidates for more extensive total knee replacement. Another benefit to the KineMatch device is our ability to convert it to a total knee replacement should that become necessary in the future."

Women comprise approximately 75% of patello-femoral arthroplasty patients, due to patello-femoral malalignment and dysplasia which is much more common in women than in men. The problem can also be the result of sports or work-related wear and tear. Pain associated with patello-femoral arthritis is directly under the knee cap and is most severe when using stairs, prolonged walking, walking up hills, squatting and kneeling. The pain is less severe when walking on level surfaces. When sitting, patients with patello-femoral arthritis are more comfortable with their knee straight rather than bent. The typical patient is relatively young when compared to the total knee replacement candidate - in this study the average patient was 45 years old and had one or more prior surgical procedures that attempted to treat their knee pain.

The KineMatch Patello-Femoral Replacement device begins with a computed tomography (CT) exam of the patient's knee. The CT data is used to manufacture the KineMatch device, which is custom made for each patient. This is believed to be key to obtaining good clinical results while also offering a very conservative "bone sparing" approach for the younger patient. The surgical procedure itself is also shortened because little bone sculpting is required to implant the device and the recovery time and post-operative rehabilitation time is reduced as compared to what is required after total knee replacement. The cost of the KineMatch device is less than the cost of a typical "high-performance" total knee replacement device and the operative time and recovery period are also less than what one would experience with total knee replacement.

About Kinamed

Established in 1987, Kinamed is a privately held medical device company based in Camarillo, California. Kinamed designs and manufactures implants and instruments for orthopedics and neurosurgery.

http://www.kinamed.com

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