Hi-tech surgery bee's knees for patients

Consultant Andrew Edwards, who recently started at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is one of few orthopaedic surgeons to use the equipment.

Sensors placed on either side of the patient's knee map the position of the bones, creating a detailed image and giving real-time information on a computer screen.

Mr Edwards said: "Everyone is different and so are their knees. Computer-navigated surgery takes into account each patient's shape and size and allows me to use what is essentially a mini GPS system.

"I use this information to accurately guide the implant into position. I do the surgery; the technology just provides me with an accurate map. Accuracy is key to this type of procedure as it can impact on the wear of the artificial joint. This is particularly important as we are treating younger and more active people nowadays."

Mr Edwards said the equipment had proved invaluable in cases where patients had fractured joints and gone on to develop osteoarthritis, which required a total replacement.