JOURNEY DEUCE Minimally Invasive Knee System
Patient Guide
For Patients & Their Families
Knee Anatomy
Knee Osteoarthritis
Available Treatment Options
System Benefits
OXINIUM Technology
Description of the Procedure
Post-Operative Care
In-home Exercises
Returning Home
Frequently Asked Questions
For Patients & Their Families
The minimally invasive JOURNEY DEUCE system provides patients with a minimally invasive solution for arthritis of the knee.
This procedure, which replaces only the damaged area of your knee joint, may require only one to two days of hospitalization, and results in less recovery time when compared to conventional total knee replacement surgery.
Knee Anatomy
The three bones that comprise the knee joint are the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone) and the patella (kneecap). The knee may be described as a modified hinge joint, similar to the hinge on a door. However, the knee not only bends back and forth like a hinge, it has a complex rotational component that occurs with flexion and extension of the knee.
The knee can be divided into three compartments: the medial compartment, the lateral compartment and the patellofemoral compartment. The JOURNEY DEUCE Implant addresses arthritis present in the patellofemoral compartment as well as the medial compartment – a condition present in up to 70% of total knee replacement patients.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis in the knee joint occurs as a result of degeneration of the cartilage in the knee. It is commonly referred to as "wear-and-tear" arthritis or degenerative arthritis, and may manifest itself as a stiff, painful joint that may occasionally "lock" or "give way" during walking.
Available Treatment Options
1. Lifestyle Modification: losing weight, avoiding aggravating activities, modifying exercise to low impact activities only
2. Exercises: specifically prescribed to improve strength and flexibility without exacerbating your pain
3. Anti-inflammatory Medications: designed to decrease swelling in the joint and provide temporary pain relief
4. Corticosteroid Injection: powerful anti-inflammatory agent injected directly into the joint
5. Joint Fluid Therapy: a series of injections directly into your knee, designed to improve lubrication in the joint
6. Glucosamine/Chondroitin: dietary supplement that may relieve arthritic pain
7. Bracing: used to provide external stability to the knee joint
8. Arthroscopic Surgery: minimally invasive procedure to remove debris or repair torn cartilage
9. Total Knee Replacement Surgery: surgical procedure that replaces all three compartments of the knee.
System Benefits
1. A potentially smaller incision
2. Preservation of all ligaments of the knee
3. Preservation of bone that would otherwise be removed during total knee replacement surgery
4. Decreased blood loss
5. Decreased post-operative pain
6. Reduced post-operative medication
7. Faster rehab/recovery time
OXINIUM technology
2. Smooth: 160 times smoother than cobalt chrome, the material traditionally used in knee implants
3. Hypo-allergenic: A bio-compatible metal and contains no detectable nickel, the metal commonly associated with metal allergies
4. Wear-resistant: Lab testing show an 85% decrease in plastic wear compared to cobalt chrome
5. Hard: More than twice as hard as cobalt chrome
6. Lightweight: More than 20% lighter than cobalt chrome
Description of the Procedure
The JOURNEY DEUCE procedure allows your surgeon to access only this diseased portion of the knee.
1. Exposure with 3-4 inch incision.
2. The knee joint is properly balanced.
3. The patellofemoral and medial compartments are resurfaced to accommodate the implant with the unique JOURNEY DEUCE instrumentation system
4. The trial implants are placed to ensure proper fit and alignment.
5. Once properly aligned, the trial components are removed.
6. The new bi-compartmental device is implanted.
7. The incision is closed.
Post-operative Care
After leaving the operating room, you will be transported to recovery where you will be closely monitored before returning to your room. Once you have returned to your room and your surgeon has given approval, you will begin the post-operative rehabilitation process.
Your surgeon may recommend the following activities while you are still in the hospital:
1. Ice and elevation to reduce pain and swelling in your knee
2. A continuous passive motion machine that will promote rapid return of your knee’s range of motion
3. Walking with a walker or crutches on your first day after surgery
In-home Exercises
(Consult your therapist regarding the number of reps)
Flex ankle up and down
Quadriceps Sets
Tighten thigh muscles and hold contraction for five seconds
Heel Slides
Flex your hip and knee. Return knee to the straight position.
Returning Home
1. Move furniture as needed to make adequate room for walking with your walker or crutches.
2. Remove small throw rugs that may get caught in the legs of the walker or crutches.
3. Take your time when first standing up or when walking to ensure you are not dizzy or unsteady. The side effects of anesthesia and/or medication may result in occasional light-headedness.
4. Consult with your physical therapist to determine any other home equipment needs prior to discharge.
5. Instruction in proper incision care:
- Keep incision clean and dry until staples or sutures are removed.
- Cover with plastic bag when showering.
- Pat dry if the incision gets wet.
6. Call your surgeon if you experience:
- Increased swelling in the knee or lower leg
- Persistent pain not relieved by pain medication
- Abnormal side effects from anesthesia or medication
- Increased swelling, drainage, redness or foul smell from the incision site
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am a candidate for this surgery?
The JOURNEY DEUCE procedure may be a viable treatment option if you have arthritis in only two of the three compartments of your knee – most likely the patellofemoral and medial (inside) compartments. When only these portions of the joint are damaged, and your surgeon has determined that you have adequate ligament stability, he or she may opt to replace only this diseased portion of your knee. The healthy compartment remains untouched.
Most patients can resume normal activities following the minimally invasive JOURNEY DEUCE procedure once they have regained adequate strength and flexibility, and their surgeon has released them to begin normal activities. However, any activity that results in repetitive joint trauma such as running, jumping or twisting should be avoided. Most patients who have recovered from this procedure have returned to such activities as golf, doubles tennis, dancing, swimming or gardening.
It is very difficult to predict the lifespan of any individual knee implant. However, when a good surgical technique and accurate instrumentation, combined with proper patient selection and post-operative compliance, improve the chances of achieving years of pain free physical activity.
Your surgeon will guide you to the correct knee implant for your particular circumstances. You may want to inquire about the high performance JOURNEY family of knee implants, including the JOURNEY UNI and the JOURNEY total knee, which replicates the function of your normal, natural knee. Every member of the JOURNEY knee family is made with OXINIUM technology.
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