A robot could help Lille University Hospital surgeons during knee prosthesis fitting operations. A first in France.
- In France, osteoarthritis of the knee affects 30% of people aged 65 to 75.
“About 100,000 knee prostheses are fitted each year in France, a figure which could be multiplied by four by 2070”, assures the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Lille in a press release relayed by the news site 20 minutes. This feat, if it takes place, will be due to the arrival of a technological innovation in this hospital: an orthopedic robot called OMNIBotics. This should help surgeons in fitting knee prostheses.
The robot helps to balance the ligaments of the knees…
“The CHU is equipped with a unique robot in France, which significantly reduces residual pain in patients”, again according to the hospital management. One of the goals of OMNIBotics is to help the surgeon balance the ligaments of the knee, an essential step for the extension and flexion of the patient’s limb to be performed optimally after surgery. Until now, only surgeons are authorized to carry out this task which “could cause 15 to 20% residual pain in patients, often requiring reoperation”, specifies the Lille University Hospital.
…which helps patients live better with their prosthesis
This tool could therefore become the surgeon’s ally. Indeed, it makes it possible to record several pieces of information during the operation which will allow the healthcare professional to intervene and place the prosthesis more easily and more precisely. “The ultimate goal of using this technology is to enable our patients to live better with their prosthesis and to maintain physical activity essential to their health general”, assures Sophie Putman, orthopedic traumatology surgeon at the Lille University Hospital. This technology is already used in other countries such as Australia.
Prosthesis fitting for people with osteoarthritis
A surgical operation to fit a knee prosthesis may be offered to people suffering from osteoarthritis, but only if other drug treatments do not work. Once the decision is made, there are different types of prostheses, including total or unicompartmental ones – when only one compartment of the knee is affected by osteoarthritis -, for example. The implementation of this type of medical device allows patients to regain almost complete flexion mobility and a normal daily life including, if they wish, the practice of physical activity. Nevertheless, sports recovery must be gradual post-operatively and monitored by a health professional such as a physiotherapist.
Do not fly after fitting a prosthesis
In general, after the installation of a knee prosthesis, the recovery of joint mobility can take up to six weeks. Please note that before flying you will need to seek medical advice. In general, because of the risk of phlebitis and pulmonary embolism, you have to wait about three months before you can fly.
In France, osteoarthritis of the knee affects 30% of people aged 65 to 75.