First Smart Knee Implant in Gadsden

8/23/2024

Gadsden, AL - Gadsden Regional Medical Center has become one of the only hospitals in the region to offer "smart knee" technology for knee replacement procedures. The technology is the first implantable device that captures motion data to monitor recovery progress and help patients stay on target following knee replacement surgery.

William “Bill” Haller, M.D., with Gadsden Physician Clinics’ Orthopedic Specialists clinic, recently became the first orthopedic surgeon in the Gadsden area to perform the joint replacement procedure.

The "smart knee" is the latest in Gadsden Regional's range of orthopedic treatment options, including robotic and minimally-invasive technologies that give patients the quickest possible recovery.

"We are excited about the possibilities this opens up to improve patient experience and outcomes," said Dr. Haller. "The surgery remains the same, but the information we'll have access to now will allow us to personalize our patient's rehabilitation program and assess how to even better improve mobility and movement."

The groundbreaking implant utilizes advanced sensors to provide real-time feedback to measure information critical to knee replacement recovery, including range of motion, step count, walking speed, and other metrics. This data is then transmitted to a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based platform, allowing both the patient and the healthcare team to track recovery and make informed adjustments to the rehabilitation plan as needed. The device uses a pacemaker battery that lasts for approximately 20 years.

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