New Technology For Knee Replacement

Cutting-edge technology gives Tulsa surgeons more options when it comes to your health.  Local orthopedic surgeons have begun using implants computer-generated for individual patients.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports the new technology gave its first Tulsa patient a less-invasive alternative to knee replacement surgery.

Dr. Robert Nebergall has high hopes for Lesta Cheek's recovery.  Lesta had surgery three months ago after a long battle with knee problems.

"I was walking, but with great difficulty:  limping, favoring this right side and; therefore, this left knee was beginning to bother me and hurt because of the strain and my back because you start compensating for everything," said Lesta Cheek.

After exhausting other options, Lesta thought she'd have to have a total knee replacement which can be a highly invasive surgery.

 "And I was willing to do that if that's what it took," said Lesta Cheek.

But, Lesta's arthritis problems were limited to just one of three compartments in her knee.  Dr. Nebergall says that made her a perfect candidate for the new Conformis implant surgery.

"It's a brand new procedure. There's only several hundred have been done in the United States," said Dr. Robert Nebergall.

Conformis technicians take an MRI of each patient's knee and design an implant specifically for their knee.  The implant works kind of like a puzzle piece, fitting perfectly within the joint.

"We can just make one little incision instead of a big incision on the front of the knee, open the knee up and literally slide this spacer in. So it's a much less invasive surgery. It doesn't hurt as much and it doesn't take as long to recover from it," said Dr. Robert Nebergall.

Lesta walked into the doctor's office on Friday without a cane and, she says, with minimal pain.

"My big new thing this week is I can step up into my shower with my right leg now. And, I haven't done that for several years," said Lesta Cheek.

Dr. Nebergall has now performed the surgery on two patients and says, so far, he's happy with the results.