The Birmingham Knee Replacement (BKR) – What's it all about? Derek McMinn, 2014
In this lecture, Derek McMinn talks about the Birmingham Knee Replacement (BKR), addressing the need for another knee replacement option. Mr McMinn compares satisfaction results between BKR and Total Knee Replacement (TKR) patients and discusses patella tracking, the design of the BKR, post-operative knee function and knee scores.
Derek McMinn MD FRCS, the pioneering surgeon and inventor of the Birmingham Knee Replacement (BKR), explores the need for an alternative to Total Knee Replacement (TKR). The principles behind the BKR are detailed and explained, showing how the BKR is designed to closely mirror the natural kinematics of the knee.
Studies have shown that 20% of patients are dissatisfied with Total Knee Replacement (TKR). Patients with unicompartmental replacement are almost all delighted; however that particular arthroplasty is only applicable to a minority of patients. The BKR results show that some patients are delighted and most patients are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery.
Tracking of the patella is done using cadaveric legs in order to measure lateral movement. Mr McMinn poses the question, "Can a spiral condyle knee design mimic the function of the natural spiral condyles?" and explains the dynamic and static effect this has on the knee. The Birmingham Knee design is a rotating platform knee – the conforming femoral meniscal design does not allow abnormal front to back sliding of the knee during flexion.
Functional stability and Knee society function scores are examined, with comparisons made to the Oxford Unicondylar Knee Replacement (OUKR) both pre-op and follow up. Patients' range of movement is looked at, again with knee flexion results shown from the pre-operative stage and following surgery.