AGH Surgeon Trained in New Knee Surgery Procedure for Patients Suffering from Osteoarthritis

New Minimally Invasive Solutions (MIS) Procedure for the Unicompartmental Knee Removes Only Diseased Portion of the Knee

Dr. Eric Bontempo, D.O., an orthopaedic surgeon with Atlantic Orthopaedics, is among the first physicians in the area to be trained in a leading edge surgical technique for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. The new procedure offers patients an additional treatment option outside of a total knee replacement. The surgery uses specialized instrumentation to remove only the diseased portion of a patient’s knee, leaving the healthy bone and tissue intact.

Atlantic General Hospital is among the first medical centers offering the Zimmer® Minimally Invasive Solutions™ (MIS™) Procedure for the Unicompartmental Knee (Uni Knee) in the area.

Potential benefits of the MIS procedure compared to a traditional total knee procedure include:

· Smaller incision and scar – as small as 2-3 inches vs. the standard 8- to 12-inch incision
· Shorter hospital stay – hospitalization time is minimized, may be performed on an outpatient basis
· Greater range of motion when compared to standard Uni knee procedures (non-high flex)

“The MIS Procedure for the Uni Knee is an excellent treatment option for patients whose level of arthritis is moderate, and who may not yet require a total knee replacement,” said Dr. Bontempo. “Overall, the procedure may improve the quality of life of individuals with minimal disruption to the activities they enjoy.”

Approximately 21 million people in the United States suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that often follows a history of injury or overuse of a joint. Deterioration of the articular cartilage in the knee, often the result of osteoarthritis, causes bone to rub against bone. That friction causes severe discomfort, debilitating pain and eventual loss of motion.

Approximately 3,300 partial knee replacement surgeries are performed annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics. More than 418,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed each year. At Atlantic General Hospital, 110 total and partial knee replacements were performed last year. With the aging of the overall population, that number is expected to continue to rise.

Dr. Bontempo says that his practice and Atlantic General Hospital continue to seek new advances in joint replacements and techniques to provide the best possible treatment.

“We strive to apply the knowledge of what works from experience and bring on new technological advances that can improve overall patient care and results,” said Dr. Bontempo. “We see the MIS Procedure for the Uni Knee as helping achieve these goals for individuals.”

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