Overview

If you’re having trouble with your knee, you’re not alone.  Each year, more than 6 million people see an orthopaedic surgeon for treatment of a knee problem.

The innovative UniSpacer Knee System may offer a promising alternative for many patients suffering from the early stages of osteoarthritis of the knee.  Compared to traditional knee replacement surgery, the UniSpacer Knee System requires a less invasive procedure.  If you are a candidate for the UniSpacer Knee System, your surgeon can place this small, lightweight, metallic insert in your knee joint instead of replacing your whole knee, and without cutting any bone.

The UniSpacer Implant is designed to help relieve your arthritic pain and improve your joint stability by establishing appropriate ligament tension and knee alignment while at the same time preserving your natural bone.  The UniSpacer Implant is designed to self-center within the knee and actually move with the knee.  It adapts to the natural motion of each individual knee.

How the UniSpacer Insert Works

Misalignment

If early osteoarthritic wear is mainly on the inside half of the knee, the space between the two bones of the knee may be reduced, changing the alignment of the leg (shown in this picture by the red dotted line).  As a result, the inside half of the knee is forced to carry a disproportionate amount of body weight.  This overloading of the knee is also a major contributor to knee pain.

Alignment

During the UniSpacer procedure, the joint surfaces on the inside part of the knee are prepared to accept the UniSpacer Implant, and appropriate joint alignment is established (shown in this picture by the blue dotted line).

Alignment Held with UniSpacer Implant

The UniSpacer Implant is then inserted between the two bones to fill the space and maintain the improved alignment.