Advanced Orthopedic Technology

Technologically Advanced Care is Closer Than You Think

Susquehanna Health offers its orthopedic surgeons state-of-the-art options to provide leading-edge care to patients across the Northcentral Pennsylvania region. As a result, our patients receive the most advanced orthopedic procedures, ranging from joint replacements and revisions, to minimally invasive treatments for sports injuries and spine surgery.

Digital Navigation in the Operating Room

Susquehanna Health is among the first in the region to offer this specialized technology that puts computers in operating rooms. Surgical computer navigation equipment acts as an extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands because it provides real time 3-D images of the hip and or knee joint during implant alignment for a joint replacement. Traditional knee or hip replacement surgery is often difficult with patients who've had previous fractures or bones that haven't healed properly, so for them this technology is especially beneficial.

Digital Imaging for Accurate Diagnosis

Digital images, including MRIs, CT Scans and X-Rays, enable surgeons to make an accurate diagnosis in the bones or joints with non-invasive techniques instead of having to open up a patient’s knee to determine the problem. Once a high-resolution digital image is taken, it is added to a patient's electronic medical record through the Picture Archival and Communications System (PACS), making these useful images available to the patient care team from any computer workstation in the hospital, or a remote location, such as a doctor's office.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery involves surgical techniques that enable the procedure to be performed through a smaller incision, requiring much less cutting of normal tissue. This smaller incision means less trauma to the underlying muscles and soft tissues, resulting in a smaller scar and, often times, less postoperative pain. Minimally invasive approaches such as arthroscopic techniques and mini-incisions can be successful for repairing rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.

Technologically Advanced Implant Materials

In this age of modern science, orthopedic implant technology for total joint replacement is better than ever. Susquehanna Health follows this technology very closely to offer patients the most advanced orthopedic implants possible. Orthopedic implants are complex, and the materials used to make them—biomaterials—are highly developed. Biomaterials include Titanium, cobalt-chrome, polyethylene and Trabecular Metal™ material. Whether you're considering a first-time joint replacement or a revision of a prior joint replacement, no single implant technology works best for everyone. Orthopedic surgeons evaluate each patient and carefully consider the type of implant that will work best for that person’s unique situation.

Gender-Specific Knee Implants

Following research, the manufacturer created a gender-specific implant based on three distinct and scientifically documented shape differences between women’s and men’s knees: a thinner profile for women so the knee replacement feels natural; a non-bulky shape allowing for more natural movement; and a contoured shape proportioned to fit a woman's anatomy. These implants are available to our orthopedic surgeons.