BMH Orthopedics Program
Technology: Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally-invasive surgeries prominent in BMH orthopedic program
 Ned Blocker, M.D. uses the navigation system tools for knee implant placement. |
The notion of computer-assisted surgery may sound futuristic, but, thanks for the efforts of our forward-thinking physicians, it exists at Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) today.
Our orthopedic surgeons perform more minimally-invasive procedures at BMH than at any other hospital in our area. Thru a gift from the BMH Foundation, Beaufort Memorial orthopedic surgeons now have the option to use an application for computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) created by BrainLAB, a worldwide innovator of image-guided surgery. It is like using a GPS inside the body.
Ned Blocker, M.D. is one of BMH’s orthopedic surgeons using the new computer navigation systems at the hospital and he’s please with the results. “Doing surgery this way is more time consuming but it is more accurate,” he says. “Patients that receive this type of surgery are less likely to need new implants or more surgeries in the future.”
 H. Kevin Jones, M.D. uses the spheres on the metal rod to send signals to the navigation system. This helps the surgeons map the knee‘s anatomy. |
Individualized placement
A navigation system surgery starts with typical prepping
of a patient. An incision is made in the appropriate areas
but that is where the similarities end. As Dr. Blocker
demonstrated in a recent total knee replacement surgery
(see pictures), learning specific anatomy of each individual
patient can lead to more successful surgeries.
GPS technology
The BrainLAB VectorVision® surgical navigation system
assists BMH surgeons in increasing the accuracy of implant
positioning in less invasive ways by guiding mechanical instruments
to a pre-planned, targeted position.
In instances in which the surgeon cannot adequately see a joint, computer navigation will show the surgeon their patient’s vital structures, therefore requiring smaller incisions.
 Lee Stoddard, M.D. (right) works with the BMH operating room staff during a recent surgery. |
Precise positioning and alignment of implants is a crucial component of successful knee joint replacement surgery. By inserting the navigation system’s metal rods (which have strategically placed spheres at their ends - see photos), Dr. Blocker and other BMH surgeons draw a three-dimensional map of their patient’s knee or hip, called mapping. Once the patient’s joint is mapped, the surgeon can more easily see exactly where a knee or hip implant needs to be placed.
For more information about our doctors or the Beaufort Memorial Orthopedics Care Center, call toll free 1-888-522-5585.
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