JOURNEY UNI Knee Replacement
Patient Guide
For Patients & Their Families
Knee Anatomy
Knee Arthritis
Available Treatment Options
Minimally invasive uni-compartmental knee replacement
OXINIUM technology
Description of the Procedure
Post-operative protocol
In-home Exercises
Returning Home
Frequently Asked Questions
JOURNEY UNI
For Patients & Their Families
The JOURNEY UNI minimally invasive uni-compartmental knee replacement is a procedure that 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 result in dramatically less recovery time when compared with total knee replacement surgery. Since the surgeon replaces only the parts of the knee that are damaged or diseased, the JOURNEY UNI preserves your healthy tissue and bone.
Knee Anatomy
Knee Arthritis
Arthritis in the knee joint occurs as a result of degeneration of the cartilage in the knee. Osteoarthritis 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 "five way" during walking. Due to osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee breaks down over time and the result is a severely damaged join surface with bone rubbing on bone. This process may occur as a result of previous trauma to the joint, ligament instability or abnormal stresses to the joint.
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.
Minimally invasive uni-compartmental knee replacement
JOURNEY UNI knee system benefits
1. No disruption of the knee cap, which is vital to rapid rehabilitation
2. Minimal blood loss
3. A smaller incision compared to 8-12 inch incision for total knee replacement
4. Decreased post-operative pain
5. Greatly reduced hospitalization time
6. Reduced need for anesthesia and post-operative medication
7. Faster rehab/recovery time (2-5 weeks, but may vary)
8. Able to walk within 3-4 hours after surgery
9. Better range of motion compared to total knee replacement
OXINIUM technology
JOURNEY UNI implants are made with a long-wearing, abrasion-resistant, award-winning metal. OXINIUM material is a zirconium metal alloy that has been heated in an oxygen-rich environment which transforms the surface into a hard, smooth ceramic metal. OXINIUM material has all the benefits of a ceramic implant with the strength of the metal underneath. Implanted in patients since 1995, more than 230,000 times. OXINIUM material has many benefits over cobalt chrome implants that are traditionally used. For instance it is:
1. Abrasion-resistant: 4,900 times more resistant to abrasion than cobalt chrome
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 JOURNEY UNI implant procedure
The minimally invasive procedure allows your surgeon to access only the diseased portion of the knee, and with the new JOURNEY UNI instrumentation, allows your surgeon to accurately replace only the damaged surface of the knee, leaving your healthy bone intact.
1. Exposure with an incision
2. The end of the femur and top of the tibia are shaped to accommodate the implants with the unique JOURNEY UNI instrumentation system
3. Trial components are placed to ensure proper alignment
4. Once properly aligned, the trial components are removed
5. The femoral and tibial JOURNEY UNI components are implanted
6. The incision is closed
Post-operative protocol
Immediate post-operatively
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.
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
4. Instruction in your home exercise program
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
- Report increased swelling, drainage, redness or foul smell from the incision site to your surgeon immediately
6. Instruction in any new medications, including side effects and dietary restrictions
In-Home Exercises
(Consult your therapist regarding the number of reps)
Flex ankle up and down
Tighten thigh muscles and hold contraction for five seconds
Flex your hip and knee. Return knee to the straight position.
Raise legs six inches above the mat, keeping knee straight.
Place a pillow under your knee. Lift your foot off the mat.
Place a towel under your heel. Pull your knee towards your chest. Hold your knee in this flexed position for 15-20 seconds. Return knee to the straight position.
Returning Home
Below is a summary of the guidelines you should follow when returning home in order to prevent home accidents such as falling:
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. 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
- Changes in the incision site
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am a candidate for this surgery?
The JOURNEY UNI minimally invasive procedure may be a viable treatment option for up to 20% of the patient population that suffers from knee arthritis. When only one compartment of your knee is damaged and your surgeon has determined that you have adequate ligament stability, your surgeon may opt to replace only the diseased portion of your knee. The healthy compartments remain untouched. Because this procedure is done through a much smaller incision than a total knee replacement, your rehabilitation is faster and less painful.
Most patients can resume normal activities following the JOURNEY UNI minimally invasive 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.
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 ACL- and PCL-preserving JOURNEY DEUCE 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.
This content is owned by Smith & Nephew and is protected under applicable copyright and trademark laws. You may download content only for your personal use for non-commercial purposes, but no modifications or further reproduction of the content is permitted without the express prior written permission of Smith & Nephew. The content otherwise may not be copied or used in any way.
Smith & Nephew provides this content for your general information only. Smith & Nephew reserves the right to delete, modify or supplement the content of this site at any time for any reason without notification to anyone. Products shown may not be available in all countries or may be known by a different name. Indications for use may vary from country to country. You should always check with your local health care professional and read the package insert prior to use. Customer Service is available to help with product information or questions. The information provided here is not a substitute for medical care. If you have or suspect you have a health problem, you should consult your health care professional.
Smith & Nephew makes no representations, warranties or assurances as to the availability, accuracy, currency or completeness of this site or its contents. Smith & Nephew shall not be liable for any damages or injury resulting from your access to, or inability to access, this site, or from your reliance on any information provided at this site.
