Conway surgeon is first in region to offer smart knee implant
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — Dr. Tyler Noble, a fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement surgeon at OrthoSC in Conway, is the region’s first surgeon to offer knee replacement using a smart implant.
The implant, Persona IQ, offers insights and data like never before for surgeons and patients to help improve short and long-term outcomes. It is the first and only implantable orthopedic device that gives real-time data about a patient’s recovery.
It features sensor technology that records and wirelessly transmits a wide range of data from the knee implant to a patient’s home. That way, any potential issues or complications can be detected and addressed early, leading to a better outcome.
“A patient called us and they were worried they weren’t doing very well, and they were frustrated,” Noble said. “We were then able to look at the patient’s data and make an adjustment. They were able to feel improvement right away.”
The technology in the implant is comparable to the technology used in pacemakers for the last 20 years.
“There is nothing about this device that is actually new in its design,” Noble said. “What’s new is how we’re using that technology to have a new function.”
Noble said he’s able to track a patient’s recovery through the data the implant sends back. He can see a patient’s range of motion, walking speed, how long their strides are, how fast they are walking, etc.
“Take all of these different metrics and put them together, it formulates a very realistic and accurate picture of how that patient is actually doing on their recovery,” he said.
Andrea Angotti got her smart implant in January and said she’s happy with the outcome.
“It’s going wonderful. Dr. Noble had explained that it tracks you and you can check it daily for your steps or the exercises that they suggest that you do and it graphs it and watches your progress,” she said.
Angotti especially loves being able to use the app and see her progress, how many steps she has taken, her speed, and her knee’s range of motion. She said it’s a great motivator as well.
Angotti is just one of the many patients who have a smart implant. She said anyone who is interested should check it out.
“I was terrified to have the surgery, but Dr. Noble was amazing, and it is so worth it,” she said.
Noble is the second surgeon in the state to offer this smart implant to patients. The only things a patient needs to be enrolled in the system are a smartphone and wireless internet at home.
To learn more about “Persona IQ,” click here. To schedule an appointment, call 843-353-3460.
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Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here.
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