NEWS FLASH

September 30, 2005

Physicians from the Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center performed the first Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (CAOS) of the knee in Sarasota this week at HCA Doctor’s Hospital.  Ronald White, MD    and Edward Stolarski, MD replaced the right knee of 55-year-old Kathleen Popowski using a sophisticated navigation system – akin to global positioning - that enabled the surgeons to literally “map” and visualize the internal positioning of the patient’s knee components to assist with the accuracy of the surgery.

This technique results in enhanced accuracy and improved knee balance thus increasing the longevity   of prosthetic knees as well as potentially reducing patient rehabilitation and recovery time.

In general, knee replacements have an expected life span of up to 20 years.  But according to     estimates from Doctors Stolarski and White, 5% of knees typically fail within 3-5 years.  Dr. White believes      that patients who receive knee replacements through the use of CAOS may potentially be able to postpone a return to the operating room for 20+ years.

Dr. Stolarski completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, an ACGME accredited    institution, which was specially selected to perfect and refine the CAOS technology.

Dr. White completed his fellowship in hip & knee reconstructive surgery in Boston and was a        member of the Tufts University medical faculty.  He has specialized in hip and knee reconstructive surgery for nearly 25 years.

The Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center performs more than 500 knee replacements annually. 

For even more information about this procedure.  The following is a Media fact sheet that explains

this in even more detail:

MEDIA FACT SHEET

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     September 29, 2005     SARASOTA, FLORIDA -

What:  Physicians from the Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center performed the first Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (CAOS) of the knee in Sarasota this week at HCA Doctor’s Hospital.  Ronald White, MD and Edward Stolarski, MD replaced the right knee of 55-year-old Kathleen Popowski using a sophisticated navigation system – akin to global positioning - that enabled the surgeons to literally “map” and visualize the internal positioning of the patient’s knee components to assist with the accuracy of the surgery.

Why:  This technique results in enhanced accuracy and improved knee balance thus increasing the longevity of prosthetic knees as well as potentially reducing patient rehabilitation and recovery time.

In general, knee replacements have an expected life span of up to 20 years.  But according to estimates from Doctors Stolarski and White, 5% of knees typically fail within 3-5 years.  Dr. White believes that patients who receive knee replacements through the use of CAOS may potentially be able to postpone a return to the operating room for 20+ years.

In recent years, HCA Doctors’ Hospital has placed an increasing emphasis on improving and expanding orthopedic services to Sarasota County residents.  Improvements include a newly-renovated orthopedic wing designed to the highest standards for enhanced service and patient comfort.   Dr. White reports that the addition of the Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery system is another example of the hospital’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art technology for the benefit of healthcare delivery to its patients.

Background Data:

Currently, the Kennedy-White Orthopaedic Center performs more than 500 knee replacements in Sarasota County annually.  According to physician estimates, more than 2,000 knee replacements are performed throughout the county on an annual basis.

Dr. Stolarski completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, an ACGME accredited institution, which was specially selected to perfect and refine the CAOS technology.

Dr. White completed his fellowship in hip & knee reconstructive surgery in Boston and was a member of the Tufts University medical faculty.  He has specialized in hip and knee reconstructive surgery for nearly 25 years.