Leader0712b

Saturday, July 12, 2014 • Page 1B

The high-technology knee surgery

Innovative Total Knee Replacement Technology at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital Results in Better Outcomes During the 22 years Bart Kendrick, M.D., has been replacing arthritic knees with metal and plastic prostheses, he’s seen dramatic changes in materials and technology that mean more precise and longer-lasting artificial joints. Today, his patients are enjoying excellent outcomes thanks to an innovative artificial knee and a three-dimensional pre-surgical planning system that allows for personalized implant positioning, resulting in a quicker surgery with less blood loss and less postoperative pain. “The Biomet Signature System creates a 3-D joint reconstruction based on an MRI of the patient’s hip, knee and ankle before surgery.” said Dr. Kendrick, who performs the procedure at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, which has been recognized twice with The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. “This virtual preplanning system creates a 3-D reconstruction based on measurements that correct malalignment of the knee, and creates custom thighbone and shinbone positioning guides that exactly match each patient’s anatomy, allowing for precision in implant positioning. Pre-surgical planning and custom guides improve our efficiency in performing the surgery and allow us to restore the normal alignment of the knee more accurately.” Accurate alignment of the knee improves the longevity of the knee replacement. “The history of knee replacement is a six-decade-long story of continuous innovation in an attempt to limit the problems of wear, loosening of the implant and loss of range of motion,” said Dr. Kendrick, who trained at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and is an assistant professor in the department of Orthopaedics at UTHealth Medical School. “Several pioneers of

For The Leader

In 1985, Lori Valencic moved to the Heights and she has never regretted it. “The Heights is wonderful, but we have certainly seen changes,” the resident stated with a smile. In the years that have unfolded since, this registered dietician and nutritionist has spoken to thousands of Houstonians in one-on-one settings, such as her supermarket tours, or to 100 at a time in her corporate lecture series. Valencic is at the top of her ﬁeld. Today, she is a diet and nutrition consultant with the letters MEd, RD, and LD after her name, and is working from a home ofﬁce in her beloved Heights. Valencic certainly knows a thing or two about eating and wellness, and was kind enough to share it with The Leader.

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�� MHNW Dr. Bart Kendrick has seen dramatic changes in knee surgeries over the past 22 years. (Photo courtesy of MHNW)

joint replacement were faculty members at Baylor during the time I did my training, and the orthopedic program was heavily biased toward joint replacement. They’d been doing it since the 1960s.” In the past, surgeons used twodimensional X-rays and maneuvers during surgery that allowed them to use standard guides to make cuts for implant positioning. “With traditional knee replacement, we had to insert a rod into the femur’s intermedullary canal from the knee to the hip with pins that showed us where to make cuts in the bone for replacement. The Biomet software we’re using allows us to apply the guides without having to place the rod, which means less postoperative pain for the patient.” When he started doing knee re-

placements, Dr. Kendrick told his patients they would last about 10 years, depending on weight, age, activity level and other health factors. “With today’s cobalt chromium metals and polyethylene plastics, it’s more likely that a knee replacement will last more than 20 years and even more than 30 years if it’s done correctly.” About a third of Dr. Kendrick’s cases are joint replacements. “My patient population runs the gamut, but the typical patient has severe osteoarthritis that has resulted in malaligned knees,” he said. “Occasionally, I do knee replacements on people in their 40s. Most of my patients are in their 50 and 60s, all the way up to their 80s. I do see more joint replacements in younger people because of today’s exercise and ac-

tivity patterns. When I ﬁrst started practicing, we were hesitant to do total knee replacements on people in their 40s and 50s. Now that we have implants that will last 30 years and longer, younger patients are more apt to go forward with the surgery knowing that there’s less chance of needing a new replacement later. They’re all aiming to get back to an active lifestyle.” If you would like to make an appointment with a physician afﬁliated with Memorial Hermann Northwest to learn more about joint replacement surgery, please call 713-272-1888. Visit jointpain.memorialhermann. org to learn more about the Memorial Hermann Joint Center located at Memorial Hermann Northwest.

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“There is so much misinformation out there about dieting,” Valencic stated. “I always ask my clients, ‘Did the last diet work for you? Then why do you think this one will?’ The change must come in the form of a lifestyle change, and that takes time. “One of things we can all do is watch the portions we eat,” she continued. “Almost everything Americans eat these days has been super-sized. I recommend using a smaller plate, and raising awareness of portion size. It is a good place to start. “Americans seem to eat what is in front of them, instead of stopping when they are no longer hungry. Most people eat way beyond hunger,” Valencic stated ﬁrmly. As a professional, Valencic’s background and training is science-based and fact-based. She has seen what works, and what doesn’t, and expresses concern over fad dieting. There are no short cuts, she says.

“It’s really all about what you take in in the form of a calories,” the nutritionist continued, “and what you burn in terms of energy. Exercise does not have to be a chore. It can be as simple and pleasurable as walking more. Get a pedometer and start counting your steps in a day. “There are no quick ways to diet,” Valencic stated. “There is no way to lose 40 pounds in two months. If you really want results, enlist some experts. Hire a nutritionist to help identify your most satisfying, well-rounded diet, and hire a personal trainer to help with exercise. When a person makes these commitments, it really turns up the volume on their success. “These professionals will guide an individual to the changes in lifestyle that will insure a happy, healthy life and long-term success,” Valencic concluded with a smile. For those who may be looking for the “forty-pounds-in-two-months

flammation in the lumbar spine and pelvis. Ligamentous laxity increases the chance that the pelvis shifts out of alignment. The stabilization that a rehabilitative Pilates program provides can keep the pelvis from constantly getting out of alignment during pregnancy. Body fluid retention must be managed to improve comfort. The increase in the relaxin hormone during pregnancy also contributes to fluid retention. Pilates can train a pregnant woman to brace the spine while moving her arms and legs. People with back pain do not effectively recruit the transversus abdominus and multifidi muscles, which are imperative to stabilizing the spine. The emphasis on stabilizing the t muscles that surround the spine helps prevent a diastasis rectus

abdominus in the third trimester of pregnancy and the post partum period. If a pregnant woman already has a diastasis rectus abdominus, the Pilates approach can help train her to control the separation to manage this dysfunction. Neck pain is another common problem during pregnancy as the breasts enlarge and create more muscle imbalance between the pectorals and scapular stabilizers. Pilates focuses on engaging the scapular stabilizers. Pilates focuses on engaging the scapular stabilizers while relaxing the upper trapezius that often spasm from overuse. The focus on breath is another beneﬁt of Pilates during pregnancy. Women are more likely to become short of breath during the third trimes-

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�� Lori Valencic

miracle,” now you know. You can listen to our resident, 30-year expert or, of course, there’s always that yummy cabbage soup diet.... Good luck with that.

Pregnancy & Pilates at Jennifer Klein Physical Therapy/AATB Pilates Pilates is an overall body fitness system that effectively addresses a pregnant woman’s muscle imbalances. Pilates fully integrates the body so effectively that many of its exercises carry over to movements needed in daily life. This helps pregnant women better manage spine pain and keep an old injury from flaring up. Just about any pregnant woman can benefit from a good Pilates routine with modifications based on her individual needs. It can be completely safe throughout pregnancy. Release in the relaxin hormone, causing laxity in all ligaments, is a big change that happens during pregnancy. This compromises the stability of the spine and pelvis. The excessive movement associated with this change can lead to pain and in-

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Heights nutritionist recommends better choices By Kim Hogstrom

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ter as the fetus grows. Being mindful of inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply using diaphragmatic breathing during all Pilates exercises heightens the beneﬁt while improving lung capacity. After years of incorporating Pilates into physical therapy with pregnant women who have pain, it is amazing to see the number of women who eliminate pain simply by learning to effectively engage the core and scapular stabilizer muscles correctly with a solid Pilates program. Pilates gives pregnant women the control to manage pain without relying on medication. For more information, www.jenniferkleinphysicaltherapy.com www. aatbpilates.com 713-203-0787 -Submitted story

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