Zakorchevnoy, 53, was one of the first patients in Connecticut to have a small cobalt chrome device called a Unispacer inserted into his knee this spring at The Orthopaedic Center at Waterbury Hospital.

First Hospital in Connecticut
John Keggi, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon with Waterbury Hospital, was the first doctor in Connecticut to perform the FDA-approved surgery. "It's a great procedure for baby boomers who have early arthritis and can't do what they want because of it," Dr. Keggi said. "These patients are still in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and they want to avoid a joint replacement operation that will only have to be repeated down the line," added the Yale-trained orthopaedic surgeon.

30 Minute Procedure
Dr. Keggi said Unispacer surgery is promising not only because it works so well for adults with arthritic pain, but also because the roughly 30 minute procedure uses a small incision and results in minimal tissue damage and blood loss, allowing for rapid healing. Zakorchevnoy, for example, was climbing stairs at home and driving his truck just a few weeks after the procedure.

"I feel good," he said, adding that he had endured everything from cortisone shots to arthroscopic surgery in his quest to rid himself of the constant pain.

 Unispacer surgery isn't for everyone, Dr. Keggi noted, and it won't help patients who already have advanced arthritis in their knees. But it can help those with early arthritis of the inner knee — a common condition since the inner knees bear most of a person's weight when standing. Problems develop when cartilage cracks and wears away, creating a bow-legged look. Doctors treat the problem with painkillers, cortisone shots and arthroscopic surgery, but many patients eventually end up joining the 250,000 to 300,000 people a year who opt for total knee replacement.

A Natural Fit
Unispacer surgery is a much simpler solution that involves fitting a small, kidney-shaped device between the natural bone structures to provide a smooth surface. The bones then once again glide seamlessly with no pain. The Unispacer, Dr. Keggi added, is geometrically designed to center itself within the knee and move with the natural motions of the knee.

The operation is performed under spinal anesthesia. Patients usually resume their normal activities in a few weeks and full activity levels in a few months.

Early Intervention Key
Each year, six million people in the U.S. visit an orthopedic surgeon because knee pain is starting to nag them. Patients who are just beginning to have knee pain may want to see a doctor right away while arthritis is in its early stages and Unispacer is still an option, Dr. Keggi said. "Many times a sore knee can be treated without surgery. But if it comes to having surgery, this is an excellent advance," he said.