General
Are there any risks for this kind of operation?

With many years of history, hip and knee replacement surgeries are a very common and safe procedures for the treatment of severe osteoarthritis. However, as with all surgery, there are still some risks.
Prior to undergoing joint replacement surgery, discuss this thoroughly with your doctor and ensure that ALL of your questions are answered to your satisfaction.

Does the prosthesis activate the alarm system at airports?

Sometimes it can happen. This depends on the sensitivity of the detectors at the points of control of the airport. All Medacta's prosthesis are identified by a card called Implant Passport, provided by your surgeon after the operation. Carry it always with you and show it if necessary!

How do I get in touch with an orthopaedic surgeon in my country?

A list of experienced surgeons performing this technique is available here. Whilst our surgeon database is large it is not a complete listing of all surgeons or Medacta customers.  The surgeons listed in the 'surgeon locator' are those who have followed our specific training programme - the minimum criteria for inclusion on the list.  Please note that no surgeon has paid to be on the list and that Medacta makes no endorsement, recommendation or referral for any of these surgeons.

How long do I have to stay in the hospital?

The duration of your stay depends for the most part on your general state of health. Ask your doctor for more information regarding your specific case.

Is the procedure covered by insurance?

This technique is usually covered by insurance in the same manner that traditional joint replacement surgery is covered. 
However, it is always best to be sure so check and confirm with your insurance plan provider in advance.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the wear of the articular cartilage - the main cause of joint disease and felt as pain. In the early stages pain is only felt when pressure is applied to the joint then more and more frequently and finally even at rest.

This increase in pain intensity can be a slow process, sometimes over many years, and can lead to a stiff joint.
In cases of severe osteoarthritis joint replacement is a common solution and, carried out successfully, can result in dramatic pain relief and improved joint functionality.

What options do I have?

There are a number of solutions, surgical and non-surgical, to treat your disease. Ask your doctor what is the most suitable treatment for your age, activity level and expectations.
In the case of advanced osteoarthritis, pain and joint stiffness severely limit your life and your doctor may suggest that you undergo a total joint replacement.

Hip
Can all orthopaedic surgeons perform this technique?

Medacta® believes in the importance of education: all the surgeons performing AMIS have attended a mandatory training course hosted by the M.O.R.E. (Medacta® Orthopedic Research & Education) Institute. Find a specialised surgeon in your area.

Do I need to attend a specific rehabilitation programme before getting back to my daily activities?

Rehabilitation can start on the day of the operation, subject to your doctor’s approval.
You can resume weight bearing activities when comfortable for you to do so and discontinue using assistive devices as your comfort level increases. All patients vary but most stop using assistive devices within two weeks after the operation.

How do I know if I am suitable for Medacta's implants/approach?

Medacta® implants cover a wide range of sizes/designs. Your surgeon will discuss with you the best prosthesis to restore your hip functions.
The AMIS approach is elected for a wide number of patients. However, not everyone is suitable for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, talk with your surgeon to determine if this procedure is the best option for you.

What is AMIS?

The AMIS (Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery in Total Hip Replacement) approach is a true muscle-sparing surgical technique.

With the AMIS surgical approach the surgeon DOES NOT CUT MUSCLES, which aids a rapid recovery.

The anterior approach is the only technique which follows inter-muscular and inter-nervous planes to reduce the risk of injury to muscles, tendons, vessels and nerves.
AMIS is a surgical technique that will improve the quality of your life and hasten your recovery after a Total Hip Replacement (THR).

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

The surgeon can access the hip joint by different paths, following a "conventional" or a Minimally Invasive Surgical approach (MIS).
True MIS is characterised by the preservation of the muscles and tendons encountered during the hip joint capsule surgery and involves a small skin incision/scar.
AMIS (=Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery) is true Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Other approaches, which are advertised as minimally invasive (ie. posterior, lateral, double incision), are purely reduced skin incision techniques and are associated with muscle and/or tendon damage as per 'conventional' approaches.
The anterior approach is the only technique which follows inter-muscular and inter-nervous planes to reduce the risk of injury to muscles, tendons, vessels and nerves. Possible muscular release is always reduced at minimum and anyway is less significant than with other surgical approaches.
Read more.

When I will be able to drive again?

You may drive when you are able to get in and out of the vehicle comfortably, have excellent control of your legs and have stopped taking pain medication. Depending on your general condition and only with approval from your surgeon, you may be driving in 8 -10 days.

Why should I choose the AMIS technique?

The AMIS technique causes less surgical trauma than other techniques because NO MUSCLES ARE CUT, only displaced.
AMIS is a surgical technique that will improve the quality of your life and hasten your recovery after a Total Hip Replacement (THR).
The AMIS (Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery) approach is a true intermuscular and internervous minimally invasive surgical technique.

AMIS DOES NOT CUT MUSCLES AND DOES RESPECT NERVES

AMIS can potentially provide you with the following benefits:
- Decreased post-operative pain
- Shorter rehabilitation
- Shorter hospital stay
- Small skin scar
- Faster return to daily activities
- Less blood loss
- Reduced risk of dislocation (separation of the hip ball and socket)
- Prevention of limping

Will I be able to get back to my normal life after joint replacement?

The main benefits of a successful total hip replacement are reduction in hip pain, recovery of mobility and improvement in quality of life. Your everyday activities and your social life will no longer be limited by pain and reduced mobility.

Will a hip replaced using the AMIS approach last as long as one replaced through a traditional approach?

There is no reason to believe that the longevity of a hip replaced with the AMIS approach will be different than one replaced with traditional surgery. Of course, as with any surgery, individual results will vary. How long a hip replacement lasts—no matter how the procedure is performed—varies depending on a number of factors, including bone quality, patient weight and activity level and other health factors.

Knee
Can all orthopaedic surgeons perform MyKnee technique?

Medacta® believes in the importance of education: surgeons performing MyKnee have attended a training course hosted by the M.O.R.E. (Medacta® Orthopedic Research & Education) Institute. Find a specialized surgeon near your area.

Do I need to attend a specific rehabilitation programme before getting back to my daily activities?

Rehabilitation can start on the day of the operation, subject to your doctor’s approval.
You can resume weight bearing activities when comfortable for you to do so and discontinue using assistive devices as your comfort level increases.  

How do I know if I am suitable for Medacta's implants/approach?

Medacta® implants cover a wide range of sizes/designs. Your surgeon will discuss with you the best prosthesis to restore your knee functions.
The MyKnee procedure is elected for a wide number of patients, talk with your surgeon to determine if this procedure is the best option for you.

Should I undergo specific tests and exams before a MyKnee procedure?

A month before the surgery the surgeon will ask you to have a diagnostic scan (CT or Magnetic Resonance) of your leg. Medacta® will use the resulting images to create a plastic 3D model of your knee. This model will be analized by your surgeon to manufacture your personalized surgical instruments.
Moreover, your doctor will prescribe a complete physical examination to assess your condition and to ensure that there are no factors that could interfere with your surgery.

What is MyKnee?

MyKnee is a precision instrument which is tailored for each individual patient from a radiological image of their knee. 
The MyKnee technology potentially enables the intervention of knee arthroplasty more accurate, faster and less traumatic.

Why MyKnee is different from conventional procedure?

The positioning of a knee prosthesis is performed using surgical instruments which prepare the bone to receive the prosthesis.
In the conventional procedures the surgical instruments are the same for all patients.
MyKnee is a surgical instrument which fits perfectly to your knee because it is tailored for you, allowing preparation of the bones to receive the prosthesis, respecting the characteristics of your anatomy.

Why should I choose a MyKnee Replacement?

The MyKnee enhances the benefits of a standard knee replacement offering more accurate, faster and less traumatic procedure, by the use of a surgical instrument tailored for the patient.
It has been proven that an accurate positioning of the prosthesis leads to an increased survival of the implant.
Moreover, MyKnee eliminates the need of medullary canal violation by producing customised extra-medullary jigs. Clinical studies demonstrate that the blood loss and the risk of embolism dramatically decrease if the medullary canal is left intact.
Finally, the use of the MyKnee technology is very simple and straightforward. It potentially allows the surgeon to reduce the operating time, thus decreasing the time under anesthesia and the risk of infection.

Will I be able to get back to my normal life after joint replacement?

The main benefits of a successful knee replacement are reduction in knee pain, recovery of mobility and improvement in quality of life. Your everyday activities and your social life will no longer be limited by pain and reduced mobility.

Will a knee replaced using the MyKnee procedure last as long as one replaced through a conventional approach?

MyKnee fits the shape of the knee accurately, allowing precise preparation of the bone for implanting the prosthesis. It has been proven that an accurate positioning may result in increased survival of the prosthesis. Of course, as with any surgery, individual results will vary. How long a knee replacement lasts—no matter how the procedure is performed—varies depending on a number of factors, including bone quality, patient weight and activity level and other health factors.

Spine
Are there any risks for this kind of operation?

Any surgical procedure comes with risks. Serious complications are rare and your surgical team will do everything possible to avoid issues arising. However, the most serious potential risks include

  • Paraplegia (Very rare – 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 chance)
  • Excessive blood loss
  • Continued progression of the curve after surgery
  • Failure of the spine to fuse
  • Infection 

Can spinal deformities be prevented?

Currently, there is very little that can be done to prevent spinal deformities.

Does scoliosis run in families?

Yes. Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis has a genetic component and up to one third of patients have a family history of spinal deformity. At present, researchers are unsure which gene causes scoliosis.

Does the Spine implants activate the alarm system at airports?

Sometimes it can happen. This depends on the sensitivity of the detectors at the points of control of the airport. All Medacta’s Spine implants are identified by a card called Implant Passport, provided by your surgeon after the operation. Carry it always with you and show it if necessary!

Is the procedure covered by insurance?

It is always best to be sure so check and confirm with your insurance plan provider in advance.

It is possible to have a MRI scan after the implantation of metal devices in my body?

Yes, it is possible to have an MRI scan after your surgery. The imaging, however, will be disturbed to some extent by the metallic implants.

What causes scoliosis?

It depends on the type of deformity. If a specific cause is unknown, it is deemed “Idiopathic” (for example in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis). Some forms of scoliosis however have a known source:

  • Congenital scoliosis (abnormally formed vertebrae at birth)
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis (nerves and muscles unable to maintain anatomical alignment eg. Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy)
  • Genetic conditions (such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Down’s Syndrome)
  • Anatomical changes due to age, trauma or disease

What does not cause scoliosis?

Lifestyle factors and habits are not responsible for creating a spinal deformity. Carrying heavy school bags, sporting activity, poor posture or minor leg length differences do not cause scoliosis.

What options do I have?

There are a number of solutions, surgical and non-surgical, to treat your disease. Ask your doctor what is the most suitable treatment for your age, activity level and expectations.

Where can I find a specialist?

A list of experienced surgeons performing this technique is available here. Whilst our surgeon database is large it is not a complete listing of all surgeons or Medacta customers. The surgeons listed in the ‘surgeon locator’ are those who have followed our specific training program - the minimum criteria for inclusion on the list. Please note that no surgeon has paid to be on the list and that Medacta makes no endorsement, recommendation or referral for any of these surgeons.