Adam C. Young, MD
Alan C. League, MD
Albert Knuth, MD
Alejandra Rodriguez-Paez, MD
Alexander E. Michalow, MD
Alexander Gordon, MD
Alexander M. Crespo, MD
Alfonso Bello, MD
Ami Kothari, MD
Amy Jo Ptaszek, MD
Anand Vora, MD
Andrea S. Kramer, MD
Andrew J. Riff, MD
Angela R. Crowley, MD
Angelo Savino, MD
Anthony Savino, MD
Anuj S. Puppala, MD
Ari Kaz, MD
Ashraf H. Darwish, MD
Ashraf Hasan, MD
Bradley Dworsky, MD
Brian Clay, MD
Brian J. Burgess, DPM
Brian R. McCall, MD
Brian Schwartz, MD
Brian Weatherford, MD
Brooke Vanderby, MD
Bruce E. Noxon, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA
Bruce Summerville, MD
Bryan Waxman, MD
Bryant S. Ho, MD
Carey E. Ellis, MD
Carla Gamez, DPM
Cary R. Templin, MD
Charles L. Lettvin, MD
Charles M. Lieder, DO
Chinyoung Park, MD
Christ Pavlatos, MD
Christian Skjong, MD
Christopher C. Mahr, MD
Christopher J. Bergin, MD
Craig Cummins, MD
Craig Phillips, MD
Craig S. Williams, MD
Craig Westin, MD
Daniel M. Dean, MD
David Beigler, MD
David Guelich, MD
David H. Garelick, MD
David Hamming, MD
David Hoffman, MD
David M. Anderson, MD
David Raab, MD
David Schneider, DO
Djuro Petkovic, MD
Douglas Diekevers, DPM
Douglas Solway, DPM
E. Quinn Regan, MD
Eddie Jones Jr., MD
Edward J. Logue, MD
Ellis K. Nam, MD
Eric Chehab, MD
Eric L. Lee, MD
Evan A. Dougherty, MD
Garo Emerzian, DPM
Gary Shapiro, MD
Giridhar Burra, MD
Gregory Brebach, MD
Gregory J. Fahrenbach, MD
Gregory Portland, MD
Harpreet S. Basran, MD
Holly L. Brockman, MD
Inbar Kirson, MD, FACOG, Diplomate ABOM
Jacob M. Babu, MD, MHA
Jalaal Shah, DO
James M. Hill, MD
James R. Bresch, MD
Jason G. Hurbanek, MD
Jason Ghodasra, MD
Jason J. Shrouder-Henry, MD
Jeffrey Ackerman, MD
Jeffrey Goldstein, MD
Jeffrey Staron, MD
Jeffrey Visotsky, MD
Jeremy Oryhon, MD
Jing Liang, MD
John H. Lyon, MD
Jonathan Erulkar, MD
Jordan L. Goldstein, MD
Josephine H. Mo, MD
Juan Santiago-Palma, MD
Justin Gent, MD
Justin M. LaReau, MD
Kellie Gates, MD
Kermit Muhammad, MD
Kevin Chen, MD
Kris Alden MD, PhD
Leah R. Urbanosky, MD
Leigh-Anne Tu, MD
Leon Benson, MD
Lori Siegel, MD
Lynn Gettleman Chehab, MD, MPH, Diplomate ABOM
Marc Angerame, MD
Marc Breslow, MD
Marc R. Fajardo, MD
Marie Kirincic, MD
Mark Gonzalez, MD
Mark Gross, MD
Mark Hamming, MD
Mark Mikhael, MD
Matthew L. Jimenez, MD
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Michael Chiu, MD
Michael J. Corcoran, MD
Michael O'Rourke, MD
Nathan G. Wetters, MD
Nikhil K. Chokshi, MD
Paul L. Goodman, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA
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Peter Thadani, MD
Phillip Ludkowski, MD
Priyesh Patel, MD
Rajeev D. Puri, MD
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Ritesh Shah, MD
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Roger Chams, MD
Ronak M. Patel, MD
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Sean A. Sutphen, DO
Serafin DeLeon, MD
Shivani Batra, DO
Stanford Tack, MD
Steven C. Chudik, MD
Steven Gross, MD
Steven J. Fineberg, MD
Steven Jasonowicz, DPM
Steven M. Mardjetko, MD
Steven S. Louis, MD
Steven W. Miller, DPM
Surbhi Panchal, MD
T. Andrew Ehmke, DO
Taizoon Baxamusa, MD
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Theodore Fisher, MD
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Home Doctors Alexander Gordon, MD

Alexander Gordon, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon with Fellowship Training in Lower Extremity Reconstruction

Board Certifications

  • Orthopaedic Surgery

Read reviews for Alexander Gordon, MD

Patient Quick Links for Dr. Gordon
Request an Appointment

Practice Locations

Des Plaines Doctors’ Office
900 Rand Road
Suite 200
Des Plaines IL 60016
Phone: 847-375-3000
Morton Grove Doctors’ Office
9000 Waukegan Road
Suite 200
Morton Grove IL 60053
Phone: 847-375-3000

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
  • Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center
  • North Shore Surgical Suites

Meet Alexander Gordon

Biography

Dr. Alexander C. Gordon, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating hip and knee conditions in adults. He is an expert in anterior approach hip replacement, which decreases post-operative pain and speeds recovery. Dr. Gordon is a leader in technological innovations in knee replacement, utilizing robotics and sensors, to help patients recover faster with better outcomes. His interest in science and helping people led Dr. Gordon to become a physician. He chose to specialize in orthopedics because it offers very tangible methods to help people relieve pain and to restore active lifestyles.

Dr. Gordon has developed a reputation as a surgeon willing to take on challenging problems within the hip and knee replacement field. Since beginning in practice in 2004, Dr. Gordon has performed over 6,000 adult reconstruction operations.

Dr. Gordon is actively involved in clinical research, with a focus on improving surgical techniques to optimize outcomes in hip and knee replacement. He has published peer reviewed articles and presented his work internationally. He also helps train residents as a clinical assistant professor of orthopedics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Gordon is known as a surgeon able to listen to his patients. Each patient gets the attention they need, with an individualized treatment plan. Dr. Gordon believes that each patient has a certain “uniqueness” that must be taken into account when planning a treatment for their specific problem.

Dr. Gordon is a native Chicagoan. He has lived in the area his entire life and is active within the community and with his family. Dr. Gordon practices medicine in the community in which he lives, an increasingly rare finding these days. Dr. Gordon combines community based, personal care with world-class skill and knowledge. This has led to some very close, personal relationships with his patients.

Dr. Gordon’s Team:

Chad Anderson, PA-C, has been working as a Physician Assistant since 2001. Prior to joining IBJI in 2014 he was working in Central Africa for 10 years as a Medical Officer with the Peace Corps. For three years he also worked in Family Practice in Georgia after graduating from Emory University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and playing tennis too.

Chad Anderson’s Education:

  • Masters of Medical Science, Physician Assistant
  • Masters of Education in Counseling
  • Bachelors of Science, Health Education

Sara Kilker, ATC, graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2009 with a Bachelors in Athletic Training. She then ventured down south to obtain her Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Services from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. She worked as sports medicine coverage for various semi professional and professional sports teams, the United States Olympic Education Center, and various high schools in Alabama, Georgia, and Illinois. In 2013, Sara transitioned to the orthopedic setting at a practice in Sandwich, IL. She came to Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in 2016. She is a local girl, hailing from Buffalo Grove, and is glad to be back residing in Arlington Heights with her lovely husband and adorable corgi mix, Penny.

Additional Areas of Expertise

  • Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
  • Revision of Hip & Knee Replacements
  • Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections
  • Treatment of Hip & Femur Fractures
  • Oxford Partial Knee Replacement
  • Computer-Assisted Hip Resurfacing
  • Minimal Incision Total Hip Replacement
  • Evaluation & Treatment of Painful Joint Replacements
  • Computer-Assisted Knee Replacement
  • Outpatient Joint Replacement

 

Philosophy of Care

In providing care, Dr. Gordon’s philosophy is to listen to his patients to ensure he fully understands the patient’s individual concerns and goals in seeking care. He stresses effective communication, joint decision-making, and mutual trust. When surgical care is the chosen treatment method, his goal is to apply the highest quality technical skill and knowledge base to his work, leading to pain relief and rapid restoration of function for his patients.

Education

Fellowship
Scripps Clinic, La Jolla CA
Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Residency
University of Illinois-Chicago Hospital
Orthopaedic Surgery
Internship
University of Illinois-Chicago Hospital
General Surgery
Medical School
University of Illinois

Research and Publications

Awards

  • Advocate Lutheran General Physician Recognition Award, Awarded for patient care and satisfaction, 2014
  • Skokie Hospital Physician Excellence Award, Awarded by nursing staff, 2013
  • Scientific Exhibit Award of Excellence, Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons-2007
  • Leo Weinstein Award for Excellence in Patient Care, Awarded by the University of Illinois-Chicago Orthopaedic Alumni Association, June 2003
  • American College of Surgeons Chicago Committee on Trauma Resident Paper Competition, June 2001, First Prize Winner
  • University of Illinois Department of Orthopaedics, Clinical Research Conference, March 2002, Winner “Best Paper”
  • 1st Prize: Resident Paper Competition, American College of Surgeons Chicago Committee on Trauma, June 2001
  • University of Illinois Department of Orthopaedics, Clinical Research Conference, March 2001, Winner “Best Paper”
  • University of Illinois Department of Orthopaedics, Clinical Research Conference, March 2000, Winner “Best Paper”

Scroll through more awards below:

Appointments

  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics University of Illinois Department of Orthopaedics
  • Site Director-University of Illinois Orthopaedic Residency Skokie Hospital
  • Quality Committee Member NorthShore University Health Systems
  • Education Program Committee Member NorthShore University Health Systems

Visit My Website

https://www.drgordonortho.com

Curriculum Vitae

See my Curriculum Vitae

Our Team

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My Team

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Accepted Insurance

  • Aetna EPO, HMO, PPO, POS, NAP
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO, HMO
  • Aetna Whole Health
  • Beech Street/Concentra/Viant PPO and Workers’ Compensation
  • Blue Advantage PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, BlueChoice PPO, HMO, HMOI, HMO Advantage, Blue Precision HMO, Medicare Advantage, MMAI Plan (some physicians)
  • CareIQ, Rehab for Workers Compensation
  • CCN POS
  • CCN PPO
  • Cigna HMO, PPO, POS
  • CorVel PPO, Workers’ Compensation
  • Coventry Medicare Advantage PPO, HMO
  • Coventry PPO, Workers’ Compensation
  • Encompass (surgery network for injured workers)
  • First Health PPO
  • Healthcare’s Finest Network PPO, Workers’ Compensation
  • HealthLink Plans HMO, PPO
  • HMO Illinois (some physicians)
  • Humana MMAI, HMO, POS, PPO
  • Imagine Health/Smart Network (MRI/CT Services, Rehab Services, and some Physicians)
  • Longevity Health Medicare Advantage HMO
  • Medicare
  • MedRisk (Rehab services for injured workers)
  • MultiPlan/Private Health Care Systems PPO
  • One Call Medical Network (Imaging services for injured workers)
  • One Call Care Management (Rehab services for injured workers)
  • Orchid Medical (Rehab services for injured workers)
  • PPO Next (aka HealthStar PPO, Preferred Health Network PPO)
  • Preferred Network Access PPO
  • Preferred Plan PPO
  • Premier Comp Solutions (imaging services only)
  • Savility
  • Sunrise Advantage Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Therapy Direct (Rehab services for injured workers)
  • Union Health Service
  • UnitedHealthcare HMO, Open Access, POS, PPO

IBJI providers are participating providers in the following workers’ compensation Preferred Provider Programs (PPP):

  • CorVel
  • Coventry
  • Healthcare’s Finest Network
  • MedRisk (Rehab/Work Comp)

Patient Resources

Anterior Approach Hip ReplacementRobot-Assisted Joint ReplacementSensor-Assisted Knee Replacement

Anterior Approach Hip Replacement

Degenerative disease of the hip is a significant source of pain and disability for many Americans. In some cases it is so severe that it affects one’s ability to perform simple tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, and putting on shoes and socks. Active people with hip disease often see their lifestyle adversely affected by this problem.

Who is a Good Candidate for Hip Replacement Surgery?
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People with progressive pain and disability due to hip disease that has not responded to things like medications, therapy, and injections, often consider total hip arthroplasty (THA, also known as Hip Replacement Surgery) to relieve pain and regain function.

Hip replacement has helped literally millions of people improve their quality of life. People have been able to lead productive and active lifestyles for many years after this operation. Hip replacement is widely considered one of the most successful operations ever developed. However, hip replacement has also been associated with a relatively long recovery and post-operative restrictions.

Most hip replacements in the United States are carried out through a posterior approach. While very successful and widely utilized, this approach has certain limitations. Intra-operative imaging is difficult to use, and studies have shown that there is significant variability in the surgeon’s ability to accurately place the hip components through this approach. Also, this approach disrupts the muscles in the back of the hip. The posterior approach has traditionally carried the highest risk of dislocation. Patients must be cautious in the first several months after surgery to prevent a dislocation of the prosthetic hip.

Anterior Approach hip replacement is becoming increasingly more popular. This approach enlists the help of a special operating room table, the HANA table, to assist the surgeon in performing the operation. With this surgical approach, there is no muscle cut or detached. Additionally, intra-operative imaging is facilitated by the table, giving the surgeon real time information on component position. The combination of these factors is often associated with a faster recovery and allows the surgeon and patient to avoid the “hip precautions” needed with the posterior approach.

Dr. Gordon is one of the few surgeons in the Chicago area regularly performing hip replacement through an Anterior Approach. He and his patients have enjoyed enormous success. Visit our Anterior Approach patient page to hear from Dr. Gordon’s patients.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip Pain
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Each patient is unique, and can experience hip pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the cause of your hip pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. One common cause of hip pain is arthritis, a degenerative condition that involves the breakdown of cartilage and bones in the hip joint. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with medication and other conservative treatments, hip replacement may provide you with relief from your arthritis.

Diagram of an arthritic hip

Total Hip Replacement
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Total hip replacement involves removing arthritic bone and damaged cartilage in the hip joint, and replacing them with an implant. The hip joint is generally described as a ball-and-socket joint. Take a look at how the end of the thigh bone (femoral head) is replaced with a metal stem and an artificial ball that is secured to the top of the stem. The hip socket (acetabulum) is reconstructed, typically using a metal cup lined with a durable plastic (polyethylene). The femoral and acetabular components work together to form the artificial hip implant.

Direct Anterior Approach
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Your surgery may be performed using the Direct Anterior Approach, a minimally invasive surgical technique used in total hip replacement. This technique may be associated with:

  • Reduced muscle damage
  • Reduced pain
  • Faster post-operative recovery

What are the differences between the Direct Anterior Approach and a traditional hip replacement? One difference is the location of the incision. During a traditional hip replacement, the surgeon will operate on the patient from the side. Using the Direct Anterior Approach, the surgeon operates on the patient from the front. Another difference is the length of the incision. Traditional hip replacement may require an 10-12 inch incision while the incision used in the Direct Anterior Approach may be 3-4 inches in length.

Download the Anterior Approach Hip Replacement Information Sheet

Read More About the Benefits of Anterior Approach Hip Replacement



Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for Partial Knee Replacement

We understand that making sure you know what to expect from your joint replacement experience is important to you. As you are reading through this material, if you have additional questions please reach out to us to discuss.

Each patient is unique, and can experience joint pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the reason for your knee pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. It is common for patients to try medication and other conservative treatments to treat their knee pain. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with those treatment options, you may be a candidate for Mako Partial Knee replacement, which may provide you with relief from your knee pain.

Total Knee vs. Partial Knee Replacement
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Based on the severity of the arthritis in the knee, total or partial knee replacement may be recommended by a surgeon. Both procedures involve the orthopaedic surgeon guiding the Mako Robotic-Arm to remove diseased bone and cartilage.

Diagram of partial knee replacement and total knee replacement

How Mako Technology Works
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Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology provides you with a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased knee joint is taken. This CT scan is uploaded into the Mako System software, where a 3D model of your knee is created. This 3D model is used to pre-plan and assist your surgeon in performing your partial knee replacement.

In the operating room, your surgeon follows your personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The surgeon guides the robotic-arm within the pre-defined area and the Mako System. The surgeon guides the robotic-arm within the pre-defined area and the Mako System helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when the personalized pre-operative plan was created. This helps to provide more accurate placement and alignment of your implant.

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted partial knee replacement is a treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. Depending on where the arthritis affects the knee, patients may have an implant inserted in any of the following areas:

Diagram of knee implant locations

It’s important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, who guides the robotic-arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. The Mako Robotic-Arm does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own, or move without the surgeon guiding the robotic-arm. The Mako System also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.

Triathlon Knee Replacement
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We understand that making sure you know what to expect from the knee replacement experience is important to you. If you have additional questions as you are reading through this material, please reach out to us to discuss.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Knee Pain
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Each patient is unique, and can experience knee pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the reason for your knee pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you.

Arthritis, one possible reason for knee pain, can affect one or more of the three compartments of the knee. Take a look at the different areas where arthritis can affect the knee joint:

  • The inside of the knee, or medial compartment
  • The outside of the knee, or lateral compartment
  • The top of the knee is also known as the kneecap, or patella compartment

Diagram of an arthritic knee

Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with medication and other conservative treatments, total knee replacement may provide you with relief from your arthritis.

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for Total Knee Replacement
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We understand that making sure you know what to expect from your joint replacement experience is important to you. As you are reading through this material, if you have additional questions please reach out to us to discuss.

Each patient is unique, and can experience joint pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the reason for your knee pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. It is common for patients to try medication and other conservative treatments to treat their knee pain. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with those treatment options, you may be a candidate for Mako Total Knee replacement, which may provide you with relief from your knee pain.

How Mako Technology Works
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Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee replacement is a treatment option for adults living with mid to late-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Mako provides you with a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased knee joint is taken. This CT scan is uploaded into the Mako System software, where a 3D model of your knee is created. This 3D model is used to pre-plan and assist your surgeon in performing your total knee replacement.




In the operating room, your surgeon follows your personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the Triathlon Total Knee implant. With over a decade of clinical history, Triathlon knee replacements are different than traditional knee replacements because they are designed to work with the body to promote natural-like circular motion.1-4

The surgeon guides the robotic-arm to remove diseased bone and cartilage within the pre-defined area and the Mako System helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when the personalized pre-operative plan was created. In a laboratory study, Mako Technology demonstrated accurate placement of implants to a personalized surgical plan.5

It’s important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, who guides the robotic-arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. The robotic-arm does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own, or move without the surgeon guiding the robotic-arm. The Mako System also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.



Degenerative Disease of the Knee Affects Millions of Americans

It is one of the most common reasons for visits to a healthcare provider and accounts for significant pain and disability. When symptoms of this disease become severe, patients are often forced to seek treatment. Medications, therapy, and injections all have a role in the treatment of degenerative arthritis of the knee. However, for some people, these treatments are either not effective or lose effectiveness over time. Ultimately, many people become candidates for knee replacement surgery.

Overview and Benefits of Sensor-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery
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Knee replacement has been proven to be a safe, effective, and durable solution to the pain and disability people suffer from when they have severe degenerative disease of the knee. However, many people decline to seek a knee replacement fearing a long and painful recovery. Additionally, there are some patients who do not have their expectations fulfilled by the operation. So, despite its success, many patients choose to live with the limitations of their knee rather than undergo knee replacement surgery.

Dr. Gordon has a keen awareness of this issue and is always seeking ways to make knee replacement a better operation. He understands that some very subtle things have an impact on a patient’s recovery following knee replacement surgery. Dr. Gordon’s primary goal with knee replacement is a satisfied patient. He achieves that goal by using less invasive, modern surgical techniques with the specific goal to allow patients to recover quickly, and yet have a well-functioning durable knee for many years into the future. Dr. Gordon does not compromise quality for recovery, but aims for both.

One-way to help achieve the goal is the use of advanced sensor technology in the operating room. Many surgeons use traditional techniques that rely on “feel” to get things just right with the knee. Traditionally, that has led to good outcomes, however, more recent research shows that many patients are still dissatisfied.

By using technology similar to what is in a modern smart phone, he is exploring new ground in the world of knee replacement. Accelerometers and advanced sensors embedded within the instruments for a knee replacement allow Dr. Gordon to use real-time information, combined with the feel of an experienced surgeon to achieve a BALANCED KNEE. A balanced knee is one that is stable, mobile, and not painful. It is the knee of a satisfied patient.

Pioneer of Intelligent Orthopedic Surgery
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Dr. Gordon and IBJI are one of the first institutes in the country to offer patients Intelligent Orthopaedic Surgery with the VERASENSE Knee System. This innovative, surgical instrument system integrates advanced sensor, accelerometer and microelectronic technology to provide real-time data measurements of joint balance, alignment and load during total knee replacement surgery. With this data, surgeons are able to optimize the positioning of the orthopedic implant intra-operatively to improve overall implant longevity and patient outcomes.

“Quantifying and measuring the load, alignment and balance of an orthopedic implant during surgery are vitally important in ensuring a successful total knee replacement procedure,” said Dr. Gordon. “We are very excited to begin using the VERASENSE Knee System to optimize joint load, alignment and balance for each of our patients. We feel that Intelligent Orthopaedic Surgery is the latest evolution in total knee replacement and are honored to be one of the few hospitals in the country to offer this innovative technology to our patients.”

For more information on the VERASENSE Knee System and Intelligent Orthopaedic Surgery visit www.OrthoSensor.com.

Total Knee Replacement Information Sheet

Do I Need a Knee Replacement?
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Knee replacement is a surgical treatment for chronic knee pain caused by severe damage from knee arthritis or injury.

The most common cause of chronic knee pain is arthritis. There are three main types of arthritis, the most common form of which is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs as we age when the cartilage in our joints wear away, causing the bones to rub together, leading to pain and stiffness in the joints.

When joint pain, swelling and stiffness limit your daily activities, and rest, medicine, and other non-invasive treatments no longer alleviate your symptoms, total knee replacement (TKR) may be a treatment option for you. The decision to have TKR should be made with your doctor after a complete orthopedic evaluation. The surgeon will also explain all risks and benefits associated with the procedure, how to prepare for knee surgery and what to expect after surgery, including knee replacement recovery time.

What Happens During Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
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The procedure itself takes one to two hours, and the basic steps are as follows:

  • Your surgeon first removes damaged cartilage and bone surface from the ends of your tibia and femur.
  • Metal implants (knee prosthesis) are used to replace the surface areas of the joint. The artificial knee may be sealed to your bone using surgical cement, or a cement-less approach may be used, involving press-fit components, which have a porous or textured surface into which bone can grow and attach to the prosthesis over time.
  • Surgeons who use VERASENSE in total knee replacement then insert this sensor technology between the metal components. As the knee is taken through the range of motion, the sensor device sends data wirelessly to a monitor in the operating room, which the surgeon uses to guide soft tissue adjustments and implant position, helping to improve knee balance. Knee balance and stability are important factors that contribute to a successful knee replacement.
  • Finally, after the knee is balanced and positioned, VERASENSE is removed and replaced with a medical-grade plastic spacer to create a smooth gliding surface.

Photos of two VERASENSE sensors

Learn more about the use of sensor technology in Total Knee Replacement: VERASENSE Sensor-Assisted Total Knee Replacement.

Reference:
1 AAOS Website, http://www.orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00389, accessed August 2017.

VERASENSE™ Sensor-Assisted Total Knee Replacement
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View the Patient Education brochure on VERASENSE.

The doctor utilizes a disposable sensor device called VERASENSE during total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. This technology helps the doctor by providing real-time data during surgery that allows him to make important decisions to better balance your knee and customize your implant position.

Improper soft tissue balance and implant position may result in premature implant failure and the need for revision surgery in the future.

Before VERASENSE, surgeons used their best judgment to “feel” whether or not your knee is balanced during knee replacement. With VERASENSE, surgeons now have data that quantifies soft tissue balance, allowing them to improve knee balance more consistently from patient to patient.

Photos of two Verasense sensors

Benefits of a Better Balanced Knee
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When compared to patients who underwent traditional total knee replacement, VERASENSE patients have experienced:

  • Less pain
  • Improved knee function
  • Quicker return to normal activity
  • Improved patient satisfaction

How Does VERASENSE Work?
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During your total knee replacement, your surgeon uses VERASENSE to replace the standard tibial trial spacer. The sensor sends data wirelessly to a monitor in the operating room, which assists your surgeon in making soft tissue adjustments and customizing implant position to improve the balance of your knee.

VERASENSE may be used in both primary and revision total knee replacement.

For more information about the use of VERASENSE in total knee replacement or to schedule an appointment, call 847-375-3000.

To learn more about the latest clinical outcomes using VERASENSE, visit www.OrthoSensor.com.

References
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1 Parratte S, Pagnano MW. Instability after total knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008; 90: 184–94.

2 Lombardi AV Jr1, Berend KR1, Adams JB1. Why knee replacements fail in 2013: patient, surgeon, or implant? Bone Joint J. 2014 Nov;96-B(11 Supple A):101-4.

3 Bozic KJ, Kurtz SM, Lau E, Ong K, Chiu V, Vail TP, Rubash HE, Berry DJ. The epidemiology of revision total knee arthroplasty in the United States. Clin Orthop Relat Res.2010; 468(1):45–51.

4 Rodriguez-Merchan, EC. Instability Following Total Knee Arthroplasty. HSS J. Oct 2011; 7(3): 273–278.

5 Gustke K, et al. Increased Patient Satisfaction After Total Knee replacement using sensor-guided technology. Bone Joint J. 2014 Oct;96-B(10):1333- 8.

6 Gustke KA, et al. Primary TKA patients with Quantifiably Balanced Soft-Tissue Achieve Significant Clinical Gains Sooner than Unbalanced Patients. Adv Orthop. 2014:628695.

7 Gustke KA, Golladay GJ, Roche MW, Elson LC, Anderson CR. A new method for defining balance: promising short-term clinical outcomes of sensor-guided TKA. J Arthroplasty 2014;29:955–960.


Hip & Knee Joint Replacement Patient Education

Dr. Gordon is a compensated consultant, researcher and speaker for OrthoSensor, Inc. Applicable disclosures comply with IBJI policies. Illinois Bone & Joint Institute is not responsible for and does not endorse content on external websites. It is provided for informational purposes only.

Rehab Protocols

Telemedicine Visit for Hip Replacement Follow-Up: Gary H’s Story
Over the years, Gary has had three surgeries with IBJI’s Dr. Gordon, both of his knees replaced and most recently his left hip replaced…read more

Five Star Knee Replacement: Bill J’s Story
Dr. Alexander Gordon is a genius surgeon! I’m 60 years old now. I was playing soccer…read more

Knee Replacement Then vs. Now, 13 Years Apart: Linda G’s Story
Night and day. That’s how Linda Gordon compares her left and right knee replacement surgeries…read more

OrthoHealth Program Tailored to My Changing Needs: Georgianne’s Story
I came to IBJI for PT for knee pain. Annette Egel and Stephanie Fitch were my physical therapists…read more

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Additional Patient Feedback

“It’s been 3 years since my hip replacement, what a fantastic job. I never have pain, I am able to enjoy my life like before. I have no restrictions, sometimes I forget which leg it was. I am so happy to have my life back. I was so scared as I have a bad heart and I failed the EKG but Dr. Gordon and his team, Chad and Sara, worked together and made it happen. I am here today to prove it, with a dance in my step. Thanks for great service, Chad, Sara and of course Dr. Gordon. I tell everybody I see that has any bone pain to visit the IBJI.” – Della C.

“Dr. Gordon is wonderful….listened to all my ‘stories’ of my knee problems. Staff very nice too.”

“I felt that Dr Gordon was terrific. He addressed my problem and set of a course of. Action I would recommend him with extremely high regards”

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Illinois Bone & Joint Institute provides a safe alternative to hospitals and emergency rooms for urgent and non-urgent orthopedic treatment and care. Learn more about the steps we are taking to keep all IBJI facilities safe for patients and staff.
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