LegTutor Aids Physical Therapy for New Knee Replacement System.

As reported by JAMES ROH in the Daily Herald on December 21, 2011
The only doctor in Utah that performs knee resurfacing surgery is Dr. Kirt Kimball. The new procedure gives patients the same results as a knee replacement but it utilizes customized pieces so that it minimizes bone and tendon loss during surgery.
“It is similar in that the same metal, the same plastic, and the bonding method is the same. Kimball said. “It is also the same in terms of the incision and (surgical) exposure, as well as the terms of the recovery protocol.
But he says the difference of the two procedures is what makes the difference for the patient. Knee resurfacing preserves more bone than a standard knee replacement and the PCL is left intact. Kimball says the most important thing is how the new replacement is designed.
The knee first goes through a CT scan, and those images are then sent to a lab in Boston. Now a new custom knee replacement and surgical tools are created for each patient.
“Everyone is a little different,” Kimball said. “Instead of putting in a generic shape and size that has a pretty good track record, we are trying to restore your knee rather than replace it with somebody else’s design. So you end up with a component that looks similar to your old knee.”
Kay Gardner has had both knees replaced; one using the standard method, while the other using the new procedure. He said with the new method his recovery has been faster.
“We think that since it looks like a more normal knee and is shaped like a more normal knee, maybe it will then feel more like a normal knee,” Kimball said. “Patients seem to heal faster and get their motion back sooner because if the replacement is shaped like the knee you have been living with previously it should move like that.”
When physical therapy begins The LegTutor aids in returning normal function to the affected limb.
The LegTutor™ system has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the lower extremity. The system consists of an ergonomic wearable leg brace and dedicated rehabilitation software. The LegTutor™ system allows for a range of biomechanical evaluation including speed, passive and active range of motion and motion analysis of the lower extremity. Quantitative biomechanical data allow for objective evaluation and rehabilitation treatment follow up. The LegTutor™ rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled exercise rehabilitation practice at a patient customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance. The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injury and disease.The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability and to continue exercise practice.
The LegTutor™ allows for isolated and a combination of knee and three directional hip treatment. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patients exercise performance. Controlled exercise of multi joints within the normal movement pattern prevents the development of undesired and compensatory joint movement and ensures better performance of functional tasks.
The LegTutor™ system is used by many leading rehabilitation centers worldwide and has full FDA and CE certification. See www.HandTutor.com for more information. .