First in Nashua Region: Southern NH Health Surgeon Implants “Smart Knee” Device in Patient

By Keith Baldi, Manager of Enterprise Communications

Personalized Knee Replacement Implant has Built-in Sensor Technology

Southern New Hampshire Health Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Anand Padmanabha is the first in the Nashua region to complete a total knee replacement surgery that includes a Persona IQ Smart Knee implant. The surgery took place at Southern NH Medical Center in late August.

A Smarter Knee

Like a smart watch or smart ring, the Persona IQ Smart Knee implant utilizes novel technology to capture and transmit real time data to enhance patient care. The information about the knee sent from the device allows Southern NH Health’s care team to actively monitor the patient’s recovery and measure and track the function of the knee.

“Having this tool to remotely monitor a patient’s physical progress allows us to get a better overall idea of how the recovery process is going,” said surgeon Dr. Anand Padmanabha, who completed the procedure. “The earlier you learn about a patient’s lack of progress, the sooner you can intervene and improve that patient’s outcome. This innovative technology has not been used in the Nashua region previously, and uniquely enables our team at Foundation Orthopedics to customize a patient’s treatment plan based on their metrics,” Dr. Padmanabha went on to say.

Metrics Being Tracked

The Persona IQ implant collects data throughout the day, on range of motion, step count, cadence, stride length, distance and walking speed. Each night a device in the patient’s home automatically transmits that data so it can be viewed by a care team and on a mobile app. The device is not a GPS and does not know where the patient has been or is going.

Seeing the metrics allows for patients to review relevant educational materials, see checklists and reminder notifications, and assess their pain and recovery progress.

For more information about Southern New Hampshire Health’s Foundation Orthopedics or to schedule an appointment, click this link or call 603-577-2663.