When East Hamilton orthopedic surgeon Dr. Martin Redish started performing a new type of partial knee replacements 12 years ago, he thought the technique would catch on like wildfire.
East Hamilton orthopedic surgeon Dr. Martin Redish displays a model knee that incorporates a partial knee replacement method called the Repicci technique. Redish is currently working with Dr. Repicci and a bioengineering company to create a device that makes it easier for surgeons to perform the Repicci technique in surgery.Invented by a dentist named Repicci, the process incorporates dental techniques that resurface the bones in the knee to create indentions for a small piece of plastic and metal that fit together and help the joint function properly.
“When it first came out I thought everyone would be doing it,” said Redish. “It’s compelling and so much better for the patient.”
According to him, the Repicci technique allows for a smaller incision site, quicker recovery time and a much less invasive surgery than other methods of knee replacement. Despite these benefits, doctors have been slow to adopt the technique because it requires them to do the resurfacing freehand, said Redish.
“Doctors don’t want to do it because you can mess it up,” he said.