Patient Testimonials
Surgeon Testimonials

Sonja Stark Nurse Anesthetist .........................

Sonja Stark is a 64-year-old nurse anesthetist (CNRA) in an ambulatory surgery center. She works on her feet for six hours a day. The long hours, coupled with crippling knee pain, made her realize it was time to fix the problem that was making her suffer.

Years before knee pain, Stark enjoyed high-impact sports. In her 20s, she was an avid downhill skier. Stark’s skiing came to an end when, at age 24, she injured her knee during a downhill skiing accident. Since that accident, her knee pain was constant. 

Some years later, she underwent arthroscopy and also had a partial knee meniscectomy. Stark’s physician told her that within eight to 10 years she’d need two total knee replacements as she had eroding lateral sides of both knees with gradual deterioration. She was also told that she would not be an easy case because she was knocked-kneed.  The condition meant that a surgical team would have to angle the knee replacement and subsequent bones in such a way so they wouldn’t interfere with her hip.

In cases when the anatomy of the body is distorted, it is especially challenging to find the accurate position to align the implants using traditional techniques.  The ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® Navigation System gives a surgeon the added data and real-time imaging information needed to perform a perfect implant alignment.

“I was happy with my recovery and would request Navitrack TotalKnee™ again. Three days after surgery, I had 100 degrees of angle already on my knee…within two weeks, I had 120 degrees, which is the best you can get. You don’t have more than that in a normal knee.”

Stark learned that ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalKnee™ System helped her surgeon, Dr. Gustke, create a near-perfect implant alignment, giving her an excellent fit. She is grateful that Dr. Gustke used Navitrack — it took the guesswork out of her alignment, enhancing her surgeon’s skills and giving her a better outcome.

“Many people believe Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery is robotic surgery. With Navitrack, your surgeon is still doing the surgery and is not turning it over to a computer. You’re not letting a robot handle your case. With Navitrack, your surgeon consults the computer to make sure everything is going along the way it’s supposed to go. I call it a safety backup. They’ve done total knees forever, but it hasn’t been a computerized process. If you have a computer consulting with your surgeon to make sure it’s going right, then you have two things that are in your favor.”

Stark began enjoying her new freedom within a month after surgery.  She was diligent with her physical therapy and excited to be able to go back to the gym. She enjoyed water aquatics and once again could work on weight machines, which for years she could not do.

“The outcome has been a speedy recovery. I’m more active - I’ve lost 30 pounds.  And my balance is better. It’s been super.”

Marilyn Blakely Kelly Knee Pain Sufferer ...........................

Marilyn Blakely Kelly had severe knees problems for many years. Before her husband’s death in 2002, she had continuously postponed knee replacement surgery. As part of a need to change her life, in December 2002 she had her right knee replaced. Her left knee was replaced in February 2004 with ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalKnee™. She was 63 at the time.

“Having Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery sounded great – anything to help the doctor was interesting. My recovery took much less time than my first knee replacement. I could walk stronger and faster. I felt much better afterward...” — Marilyn Blakely Kelly

Since her surgeries she is again able to walk freely, and without pain. Kelly actually enjoyed her surgery (if that’s possible). She is sure her recovery was easier because Dr. Gustke used a computer in support of her surgery.  She loved that a computer was involved in the process.

Richard Aghassi X-ray Technologist ...........................

Richard Aghassi, a 59-year-old X-ray technologist, suffered from knee pain since sustaining an injury during a high school football game. Increasing knee pain compelled Aghassi to undergo two surgeries and an arthroscopic clean up, which unfortunately led to arthritis.

As with many arthritis patients, Aghassi was not able to go up and down stairs or bend his knees without experiencing pain. Hiking and riding his motorcycle – two of his favorite activities – were impossible due to the growing joint discomfort.

As an employee of an orthopedic center, Aghassi did research and ask colleagues about the best options available for a successful knee replacement surgery. From his research and discussions, he learned about the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® Navigation System. He also identified Dr. Harry Steinman as a surgeon who used the Computer-Assisted Surgery application. Dr. Steinman explained to Aghassi that the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® Navigation System takes all the guesswork out of joint replacement surgery. The System enables surgeons to create a better fitting joint that in turn can extend the life of an implant. This was exactly what Aghassi was looking for.

In August 2004, Aghassi had his right knee replaced by Dr. Steinman. Dr. Steinman used the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalKnee™System. The surgery was a success. “My knee is perfect. I mean, perfect,” commented Aghassi. “It made the procedure much safer and the recovery much easier. It was wonderful.”

Weeks after surgery, Aghassi was hiking in the woods, riding his motorcycle and walking up and down stairs without pain. He said, “I have a flight of stairs in my house that I fly up and down.” He even mentioned that he gained an inch in height because now he can stand up straight.

Aghassi can finally fulfill a dream he has had for many years, adding, “I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. The only reason I never went is I didn’t think I could walk. My wife and I are finally going.”

Michael Stasick Real Estate Salesman ...............................

For more than 14 years Michael Stasick, a 53-year-old real estate salesman, suffered from pain in hips. The pain he experienced was caused by degenerative arthritis, which he first noticed from a twinge he felt in his hip. Over time he got used to the pain and discomfort, and began to notice he was no longer walking normally. He also found his prescription drugs were no longer strong enough to alleviate his arthritis symptoms.

Like many facing joint replacement surgery, Stasick delayed hip surgery, afraid of possible complications and of surgery failure. Meanwhile, pain forced him to quit golfing and walking became a challenge. His quality of life progressively deteriorated as pain in both his hips increased. At the worst levels of pain, Stasick was unable to sleep through the night.

In September 2004, Dr. W. Allen Hughes performed a hip replacement using the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalHip™. Eighteen months earlier he had had his first hip replaced.

Through Dr. Hughes, Stasick learned that by using Navitrack® he would have a smaller scar and less tissue damage during surgery. He also found the outcome would lead to a perfectly aligned implant, which would reduce the possibility of post-operative complications and future joint failure.

His surgery with the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalHip™ was successful. “It was like turning a switch on and off,” said Stasick. “I went into the hospital with a lot of pain and woke up after surgery with no pain at all.  It was absolutely amazing.” And five weeks after the procedure, Stasick was walking without crutches. “Just walking without pain was a wonderful thing.”

Stasick has resumed a normal life. “If I had to do it over or tell anybody about it, I’d tell them to do it a lot sooner than later.”  He is ready to continue golfing, an activity he couldn’t enjoy for more that four years due to hip pain.

Charles Valentino Navitrack TotalHip™ patient ...............................

Charles Valentino is a 54-year-old actor/singer/songwriter from Southern California. As part of his professional life Charles needed to dance. Because of increasing pain in his hips the dancing he did both to support his livelihood and for personal enjoyment was greatly curtailed.  

More than 40 years dancing caused Valentino’s right hip’s bones to fuse and his left hip to be bone on bone. The pain was so intense that he was unable to run or even walk. “I was in pain all the time: when I was laying down and when I was standing. Everyday walking was frustrating,” explained Valentino.

In November of 2005, and after more than 10 years suffering from hip pain, Valentino had both hips replaced on the same day, with the ORTHOsoft™ Navitrack® TotalHip™. His surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Dorr, explained to Valentino that with the Navitrack® everything is exact.

Valentino’s surgery, bilateral hip replacement in both hips, only lasted 4 hours and was a success. Three hours after the surgery he was able to stand up, free of pain.

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