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New knee replacement procedure available at MMCH
12/1/2010

For years, orthopedic surgeons have cautioned knee replacement patients with the same warning – any implant can fail after years of use. While that message is still true, the likelihood of a patient’s knee implant failing due to normal wear has been reduced thanks to new knee implant technology, called VERILAST. Tristate Orthopaedic surgeons Thomas Carothers, MD and Nicholas Mirkopoulos, MD perform the procedure locally at Margaret Mary Community Hospital.

"Every year, I see a growing number of younger, active adults who need to have their knees replaced so they can get back to their normal, pain-free lives,” said Dr. Mirkopoulos. “Unfortunately, one of the major drawbacks has always been the potential that they could wear out their implant. When that happens, a second surgery is necessary."

Made up of three main parts, total knee implants consist of a plastic insert positioned between two metal components. Over time, the movement of the metal component sliding against the plastic insert can wear down the plastic and cause it to fail. When this happens, the implant may shift or loosen, which leads to pain and instability in the joint.

By combining two low-friction materials made from cobalt chrome metal and a high-density plastic, the new VERILAST technology is expected to last up to 30 years under typical conditions.

"Physically active patients want to end their knee pain for good,” said Dr. Carothers. “I’m impressed with these knee replacements because the technology has been tested to withstand 30 years of normal use for a market that views 10 to 15 years as the gold standard."

For more information, talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with one of the surgeons from Tristate Orthopaedics by calling (812) 934-6428. Patients are seen at the Outpatient Rehab Center on State Road 129 in Batesville.