Pioneering Knee Surgery - The Nuvasive Nail

The Nuvasive nail or magnetic rod procedure is a pioneering operation that can be used to tackle early stage osteoarthritis and limb malalignment. The main benefit of this procedure is in the delivery of accuracy in the outcome of osteotomy.

When is it Performed?

The Nuvasive nail procedure can be used to realign the leg to relieve pressure on the overloaded part of the knee joint. Most knee arthritis is caused or made worse by poor alignment. The magnetic rod procedure can be combined with high tibial osteotomy allowing precise control of the alignment correction after surgery. Having the procedure can relieve symptoms such as pain and stiffness. It should also limit further damage to the knee, which can help to avoid or significantly delay the need for a knee replacement in the future. There are some situations such as double osteotomy where the Nuvasive nail has particularly good implications for accuracy. Mr Dawson has the greatest experience with this device internationally.

The Procedure

The Nuvasive nail procedure is usually performed under a spinal or general anaesthetic. The surgeon will perform a high tibial osteotomy procedure but will not change the alignment of the bone at this stage. At the same time the magnetic rod is inserted and fixed into the bone with 4 screws. The rod will be gradually lengthened after the operation using the magnetic Remote Control device. The correction programme is calculated precisely prior to surgery. The tibia will slowly be realigned into the correct position by the patient at home. As the wedge-shaped gap opens in the tibia new bone rapidly develops in the gap. The biggest advantage of the Nuvasive nail is that it enables the surgeon to control the size of the opening and to fine-tune it as required after the procedure. This enables higher accuracy than conventional methods and in specific situations where accuracy is more challenging to achieve, offers reassurance to both patient and surgeon before the operation.

Risks and Benefits

All surgical procedures can cause complications such as infections, blood clots, and allergic reactions to the anaesthetic. The risks are low and will be explained in detail before the operation.

• The procedure should help to reduce the pressure on the joint, which can relieve osteoarthritis symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. It can reduce the risk of needing a partial or total knee replacement in the future.
• The Nuvasive nail procedure allows for fine-tuning of the effects after surgery, which avoids the issues of over or under correction that can happen with osteotomy. The effects will also be more gradual, which can make it easier for the bone to grow and adjust.

If you would like to discuss your treatment options with an experienced specialist, make an appointment with Mr Matt Dawson at the Cumbrian Knee Clinic to learn more about the Nuvasive nail, HTO and your other surgical options.