Knees for You Guide to Knee Replacement

iUni Unicompartmental Knee Resurfacing Device

Updated 2/12/09

Click here to visit the Conformis Original Link

The iUni (the "i" stands for individualized) is a unicompartmental knee resurfacing device designed for patients with arthritic damage limited to either the medial or lateral compartment. Together with the iDuo, the iUni provides patients with a range of partial knee resurfacing options in earlier stages of arthritis.

Many patients who receive a total knee replacement today actually have damage in just one compartment. Total knee replacements require your surgeon to remove healthy tissue from all three compartments. In addition, standard implants require your surgeon to choose from a variety of standard sized implants and to cut your bones to fit the implant.

ConforMIS has developed the only personalized unicompartmental knee implant designed to conform precisely to your own unique anatomy. Using iFit technology and information from a standard CT scan, ConforMIS creates a personalized implant designed to resurface just the affected compartment.

Personalized implants offer unique advantages versus traditional knee replacement options. Because each ConforMIS device is created specifically for you, the implants exactly mirror the surface contours of your knee, providing far more bone preservation. The implants also provide an anatomic fit with less bone cutting than traditional options.

Patients with unicompartmental disease are able to preserve their knee for future treatment options and may also experience faster recovery time and reduced post-operative pain than with traditional total knee replacement. In addition, our unique iJig instrumentation can improve alignment and provide a more natural feel to the knee, which can reduce implant wear and extend longevity.

iUni Features:

• Manufactured for each patient, based on their individual anatomy

• Minimally invasive, minimally traumatic procedure

• Bone and cartilage preserving

• Appropriate for young and active patients

• Potential for less post-operative pain and shorter post-operative recovery

• Preserves the ability to move to other treatment options in the future

The iUni Process:

Should you and your surgeon determine you are a good candidate, your surgeon will give you an order for a ConforMIS knee scan at a local CT imaging center. Your CT scan will be sent to ConforMIS for review and implant production. Your iUni should be available in approximately six weeks from receipt of the scan.

The personalized implant will be shipped to your surgeon along with personalized surgical instruments derived from your CT scan called iJigs. The iJigs will guide the surgeon in determining the precise placement of your implant.

Following surgery, your care will focus on reducing and controlling swelling, pain management and physical therapy. You may wear a brace for a few weeks. Your surgeon and physical therapist will also prescribe exercises and activities to strengthen your knee muscles.

Patients are generally able to walk and weight-bear within 2 weeks following surgery.  For optimal recovery, activities that stress the knee and weight-bearing should be resumed slowly and only as tolerated, allowing your knee adequate time to adapt to the implant.

While every patient's experience is different, you should expect to feel significant pain and function improvement within 2 to 3 months of your procedure and should be able to return to most activities within 3 to 6 months.