Craig McAllister, MD

06/28/2012

Want to know more about the success of computers in knee replacement? Check out this link:

Computers, Robots Gain Ground in Knee Replacement: How far will orthopedists go in robotic and computer TKA without big clinical trials?

06/13/2012

http://jointcure.com/videos/joint-replacement-video.html

Dr. Craig McAllister orthopedic specialist in Kirkland, Washington, specializing in arthritis surgery and sports medicine: surgery of knee, hip, and shoulder. Serving the Greater Eastside Washington area including Kirkland, Monroe & Redmond

06/13/2012

Robotic Assisted Partial Knee Replacement

http://evergreenortho.com/news/robtic-assisted-partial-knee-replacement.php

Evergreen Orthopedic Center & Proliance Surgeons highlighted in Kirkland, Monroe & Redmond (as well as Greater Eastside) areas for leadership in orthopedic practices

06/13/2012

06/08/2011

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement

Dr. McAllister has performed over 1200 minimally invasive total and partial knee replacements. The results of the first 140 MIS total knee replacements and MIS partial knee replacements were analyzed and compared to 100 total knee replacements done with traditional, full-sized incisions. These results have been published in multiple journals and have documented improved early rehabilitation, range of motion, and function when MIS techniques are used.

MIS total knee replacements performed better than knee replacement done with standard techniques. Patients in the MIS group consistently demonstrated better range of motion during the first 6 months. The MIS patients regained their preoperative flexion by three months compared to one year for the traditional group, and the MIS group had significantly better flexion through the first six months of the study. Patients in the minimal incision group had shorter incision length, shorter length of stay, and less pain.

There are other benefits related to the MIS techniques. Our MIS patients had smaller incisions and less postoperative pain. The MIS patients spent less time in the hospital and were able to resume their activities sooner.

06/08/2011

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement - Bruce Hill

After having both knees replaced using MIS-Navigated techniques, Bruce Hill was able to retrain and participate in the STP event, finishing in one day

Previous authors have reported that patients who received total knee replacements with standard incisions reported limitation in functional activities. These limitations included even basic activities such as kneeling, squatting, lateral movement, carrying routine loads, dancing, gardening, and sexual activity.

Most patients want to return to work, get up from low chairs, garden, squat down to check their putts, climb out of sand traps, and ascend and descend into sand traps, boats, sports stadiums, and other more precarious environs. They require improved overall performance, better range of motion, strength, early rehabilitation, longevity, and stability. Furthermore, the increased potential for revision surgery in these patients demand solutions that are bone-preserving.

Minimally invasive surgical techniques for total knee replacement help patients with their postoperative rehabilitation. MIS total knee replacement techniques can offer early rehabilitation comparable to unicondylar knee replacement.

06/08/2011

Computer Navigation for Knee Replacement - Computer Navigation Machine

Ideal function after knee replacement surgery requires a good range of motion and good stability. Good long term function and durability require ideal alignment.

As osteoarthritis progresses, the knee becomes more misaligned, stiff, and deformed. Restoring alignment is critical for the long-term success of a knee replacement. Precise position of the implants is another critically important element of the durable knee replacement.

Most knee replacements done today are done using alignment jigs and cutting blocks. For the most part, these are relatively simple devices that rely on the surgeon’s ability to see and feel when the knee is properly alignment and balanced. Research has demonstrated that experienced surgeons using these traditional methods have limited success in properly balancing and aligning knee replacements.

Computer navigation is a recent advancement in joint replacement surgery.

COMPUTER NAVIGATION MACHINE: Monitors every step of the surgery and allows error to be identified and corrected.

It utilizes light-emitting diodes actually attached to the limb during knee replacement surgery. These devices communicate directly with a camera attached to a computer and allow the surgeon the create digital reproduction of the entire surgery.

06/08/2011

Partial Knee Replacement (Unicondylar Knee Replacement)

Standard knee replacement includes a large operation, days in the hospital, arduous rehabilitation, and prolonged time off work. In roughly 12% - 15% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, the arthritic changes are involve only one small area of the knee. These patients may be eligible for partial knee replacement.

What is Partial Knee Replacement?
Partial knee arthroplasty is a minimally invasive alternative with less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and a lower post-operative infection rate. It has an excellent range of motion. Since the cruciate ligaments are retained, it feels more like a normal knee than most total knees do.

Partial knee replacement is a bone conserving, soft tissue friendly operation that sets the stage for an easier, and more successful revision arthroplasty, making it an important option for the younger patient who needs to anticipate revision surgery in the future.

These characteristics make partial knee replacement particularly attractive to the high-demand patient who seeks rapid return of function and normal lifestyle.

Who Should Consider Partial Knee Replacement?
Partial knee replacement can only be done is patients with limited arthritis. Patients considering a partial knee replacement should consult with an orthopedic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure. This operation is only for knees with limited arthritis with near-normal alignment and range of motion.

What About MIS Techniques and Outpatient Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been shown to be safe and effective in knee replacement (Mcallister and Stepanian). Minimally invasive surgical techniques for unicondylar knee replacement are also well established.

These techniques utilize a small incision and decrease the stress on the quadriceps muscle. This allows less postoperative pain, early return of function (stair climbing and strait-leg raising), more normal range of motion, and the potential for outpatient surgery. The combination of minimally invasive surgical technique and computer navigation has created the opportunity for this surgery to ideally be performed in an outpatient setting.

There are important advantages of performing minimally invasive unicondylar knee replacements in an outpatient setting:
• Lower infection rates
• Lower cost
• Improved comfort
• Increased convenience and ease
• Greater Patient Satisfaction
Summary
Authors have shown that results of unicondylar knee replacement can be comparable to those of total knee replacement, even in younger patients. The use of modern component designs and computer navigation enables precise management of component position and alignment. Modern component design combined with precise and conservative bone resections provides stable, reliable, and durable results after partial knee replacement. Computer navigation techniques can help to insure accurate and precise placement of components and restoration of ideal alignment. Still, only a limited number of patients will be appropriate for unicondylar knee replacement. Other patients will need to consider total knee replacement.

06/08/2011

Tips and Pearls on Unicondylar Knee Replacement

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06/08/2011

Incidence of Radiographic Unicompartmental Arthritis in Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is increasing in popularity with the advent of less invasive procedures for knee arthritis. The percentage...

06/08/2011

Abstract Clinical results of unicondylar knee arthroplasty can be improved by combining minimally invasive surgical techniques with computer-assisted ...