When it’s time to consider hip or knee replacement surgery, it’s important to work with a team that balances the latest technologies and approaches with proven skill and experience.
The Indiana Joint Replacement Institute is led by Dr. R. Michael Meneghini, a nationally renowned total joint surgeon who has over 17 years of surgical experience and participates in orthopaedic research to improve surgical techniques and improve outcomes for patients. Our board certified hip and knee replacement surgeons at the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute research new technologies thoroughly to make sure they add value. We are monitoring robotic technology carefully, and will continue to research and utilize all advanced technology platforms that are proven to help surgeons place implants more accurately for better, more consistent outcomes without adding surgical time.
We use computer assisted navigation for all knee replacements because it provides precise information for optimal alignment. We are also developing the capacity to work with new, augmented reality (AR) technology which will allow us to use smart glasses or a helmet-based visor to pinpoint overlaid surgical targets without having to look away from a patient.
At the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute, we treat everyone the same way we would treat our own family. We take care to utilize the right approach and the right procedure for each patient, backed by peer reviewed scientific literature and data generated within our extensive program.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a member of the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute team, please call 317-620-0232 or book an appointment online.
Computer Assisted Surgery Benefits
Computer assisted surgical tools provide precise information that allows surgeons to position implants in alignment with a patient’s unique physiology.
For example, computer algorithms define the exact location of the femoral head, which sits at the upper end of the thighbone. This helps surgeons position knee replacements in proper alignment with the rest of the leg, which is important for proper mobility.
The Indiana Joint Replacement Institute utilizes computer assisted technology that adds clear value:
- Computer data and imaging guides surgeons to remove the right amount of bone at the right angle to make a knee replacement fit better.
- More accurate positioning achieves better post-surgical limb alignment.
- Properly aligned implants may last longer.
- Minimized blood loss increases energy for faster recovery.
The Potential for Augmented Reality Knee Replacements
Over the past 20 years, many technological advancements have helped improve precision and balance ─ key factors for optimal joint replacement outcomes. Augmented reality (AR) technology shows promise for improving patient outcomes and implant survival rates.
AR-based surgical guidance systems utilize smart glasses, or a helmet-based visor, and two small sensors which display surgical targets in a surgeon’s field of view. Augmented reality differs from virtual reality in that the surgeon sees digital content, including important data and 3-D images, overlaid on top of their actual field of vision during surgery.
Benefits of Augmented Reality Joint Replacement
- More efficient, cost-effective surgical solution
- Improves accuracy with three-dimensional view of ligaments
- Surgeons get real-time feedback while removing bone and cartilage
- No need to take your eyes off of the patient to look at a computer screen
AR technology is still in its infancy, and not widely available yet. We are monitoring research to determine whether augmented reality can reduce the length of surgery and definitively improve patient outcomes.
Computer Assisted Hip and Knee Replacement in Indiana
The Indiana Joint Replacement Institute team, led by nationally renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr. R. Michael Meneghini, values character, integrity, and perspective as much as technical skill, and is committed to treating each patient as if they are a member of our own family.
All surgeons are board certified and fellowship trained in hip and knee replacement, with extensive experience in computer assisted technologies that produce more consistently accurate outcomes. We research all advancements thoroughly to determine the right approach for each person.
To schedule a consultation with a member of the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute team, please call 317-620-0232 or book an appointment online.