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A new tracking system developed by Halifax Biomedical is being used by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush physicians to allow patients with hip and knee replacements to know over time how their implants are interacting with their bodies.
This marks the first time in the U.S. that surgeons are implanting all compliant patients with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) beads which monitor if a replacement implant is wearing down or moving. The procedure also provides the world’s first RSA registry for implants.
In the RSA analysis process, biomarkers are inserted into the bone surrounding an implant and two or more pairs of stereo x-ray images are taken and sent to Halifax Biomedical. Technicians use visual assessment software to monitor the position of the biomarkers in relation to the implants. Over time, if a patient experiences pain, another x-ray is compared to the original to determine the relative motion of implants with respect to the bone. A detailed report is then generated showing the stability of the implant.
REFERENCES
New Technology to Track Movement and Durability of Implants in Hip and Knee Replacement Patients, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. January 18, 2012.
Halifax Biomedical, Inc., www.halifaxbiomedical.com
