GPS Ankle – Navigation System for Total Ankle Arthroplasty
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Navigation? Check!
Navigation, as a technology, was a logical step in the evolution of joint arthroplasty. Although it is more than a decade old in knees, it paved the way for the current generation of Robotics.
Although the current generation of Ankle arthroplasty implants has improved survivorship, the management of deformities plays a key role in longevity. One important factor is the placement of cuts and Exatech have achieved the next logical step in evolution.
GPS Ankle (DOGE has taken off the creativity fund I suppose)
‘GPS ankle’ touted as the world’s first Navigation system for ankle arthroplasty, the system allows everything you expect from a standard Navigation. Resection height, angle, intra-op implant size planning and pre- and post-op joint Kinematics measurement.
Preclinical studies (bench testing and sawbones) show accuracy close to 2mm and 2 degrees relative to the surgical plan. However, we haven’t been able to verify this claim as the quoted papers are not to be found. There is no literature yet to suggest Navigation is superior but steps like these will enable us to move on to Robotics next.
But is Robotic joint replacement any better? We let you decide.
