BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Past presidents
such as Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush are among
the millions of Americans who have undergone some form of joint
replacement/repair surgery. While we see presidents come and go,
advancements in joint replacement technology are up for reelection
much more often.
“These days, advances in technology happen in rapid progression.
Think of your cell phone. Within the past decade they have
basically become mini-computers, and before you know it, a more
advanced version is available,” says Coastal Orthopedics Surgeon
and Joint Replacement Specialist, Alan Valadie, M.D. “In that same
timeframe we’ve seen continual advances in joint replacement
technology. Not only in the materials and design of the
implants, but also the way we perform the surgery has become less
invasive, which allows for faster recovery.”
As computers continue to become an integral part of our lives,
so has their importance in the operation room. With the assistance
of computer-guided technology, surgeons use an infrared camera to
accurately implant prosthetic joints. “In the past, mechanical
instruments and our own judgment were what we relied on during
surgery,” says Dr. Valadie who has performed nearly 2000
computer-assisted knee replacement procedures. “We now have the
ability to improve mobility without the likelihood of needing
revision-surgery in the future.”
Since the first performed joint replacement surgery in 1960,
even the artificial joint has gone through its own set of
revisions. From ivory to titanium, as its main components, the
artificial joint can now last anywhere between 12 to 15 years or
even more. PresidentJoint Replaced/RepairedGerald Ford
Both KneesRonald Reagan
HipGeorge H.W. Bush
Hip The future is now. As more research is completed, new
innovations such as custom joints, and ligament repair from plasma,
has given individuals of al
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