FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2023
Brian Siegel
VP Marketing
OrthoAlliance
513-295-3533
[email protected]
Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton’s Dr. Matthew Romer Performs First “Smart Knee” Procedure in Dayton
DAYTON – Matthew Romer, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with the Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton (OID), has performed the region’s first procedure using the only Smart Knee implant in the world.
The Persona IQ Smart Knee utilizes small sensors to capture data on a patient’s progress following total knee replacement surgery. A data transmitter provides information to the surgeon as well as to the patient through an app known as mymobility.
“Technology is an important part of what we do as surgeons,” Dr. Romer said. “Robotics has allowed me to decrease soft tissue damage, and now with smart implants I am much more connected to the patient’s knee replacement during their postoperative recovery. There also seems to be very high patient satisfaction with patients who have elected to have a total knee replacement with the Persona IQ smart implant.”
By using innovative technology, Dr. Romer and his patient – Meredith Koerner, 51 – can track her step count, average walking speed, the length of her strides, the distance she travels while walking, and her range of motion. Data is collected on a secure cloud platform and the device is not used to track a patient’s location.
“I’m very interested in science, so when Dr. Romer explained the technology he proposed using, it sounded amazing and I did not hesitate to take him up on the opportunity,” Koerner said.
Koerner has been diagnosed with hereditary arthritis in her knees, a condition that has plagued her since high school.
“There were times when it was so bad I was incapacitated and had to use crutches,” she said. “I was tired of dealing with it, so that’s why I went to see Dr. Romer.” Using an outpatient procedure, Dr. Romer repaired her knee in January.
“It was mind-blowing,” Koerner said of her surgery. “I walked out of the surgery center. It was amazing. And my knee feels great.”
Her rehabilitation progress is measured by the Persona IQ Smart Knee and mymobility app technology.
“I use the app to see the progress I’m making every day,” Koerner said. “I know when I’m doing well and on target, but I also see when I might need to step it up a little.”
Orthopedic surgeons have historically relied on patient information obtained during follow-up visits to assess the quality and pace of recovery from knee replacement surgery. The new technology provides remote monitoring and gives doctors objective data to aid in the patient’s recovery.
The Smart Knee allows Dr. Romer to follow and monitor Koerner’s post-surgery recovery and progress, including her range of motion, steps, cadence, overall stability and more for up to 25 years.
“If we are seeing a lack of progress or other problems, we can quickly intervene and make changes because we have so much information about the patient’s recovery at our fingertips thanks to this technology,” he said.
Developed by Zimmer Biomet of Warsaw, Ind., the Smart Knee’s sensors are connected to the traditional part of the implant. The smart sensor collects data several times a day, analyzes it overnight and presents it for viewing the following day. The long-term data collection is automatically available for the surgeon and the care team review.
The mymobility app was also developed by Zimmer Biomet. The app uses smartphones such as an iPhone or Android device or the Apple Watch to offer a connected experience between doctor and patient that delivers continuous and patient-reported feedback to facilitate care, outcomes and satisfaction about the patients’ surgery prep and recovery.
“The mymobility app is wonderful,” Koerner said. “It shows the exercises you should be doing, tracks your progress and really keeps you accountable. My other knee must also be repaired, and I plan on doing it the same way, with the same technology and with Dr. Romer. He has been very attentive and great all the way through this process.”
Dr. Romer is convinced that technological advances will continue to be a major part of orthopedic medicine. “As the ability to connect and analyze data through technology advances, we will be able to improve how we treat patients even more in the future,” Dr. Romer said.
OID is a partner practice of OrthoAlliance, a Cincinnati-based management services organization formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm. The company is building one of the country’s leading orthopedic management organizations, providing operations, marketing, and patient experience expertise and resources to partner practices working at the forefront of life-changing advances in orthopedics and sports medicine.
Since 2019, OA has grown quickly to more than 180 physicians and more than 2,000 employees.
Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton
Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton is a one-stop-shop for medical imaging, durable medical equipment, physical therapy, treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, and orthopedic surgery, with three main convenient locations in Dayton, Springboro, and Tipp City, Ohio. With 50-plus years as an established medical practice, Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton is the oldest and most respected orthopedic practice in the Dayton region.
About OrthoAlliance
OrthoAlliance is a nationally leading patient-centered, physician-led management services organization that helps orthopaedic practices grow and thrive in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm in 2019, OrthoAlliance’s partner practices feature over 180 physicians across all orthopedics and sports medicine specialties. OrthoAlliance strives to attract the most talented physicians and staff and deliver the highest quality care in the industry.