Your Impact: 50/50 Ticket Purchases Help Bring New Innovation for Hip Surgery
Published Monday, December 23, 2024
Dave Vincent, RN, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with the Hana Table, funded directly by proceeds from the Thunder Bay 50/50.
Every once in a while, there are inventions that come along that make us think, “Why didn't someone come up with this already?”
The Hana Table is one of them. It is a simple concept, but it makes such a big difference for anterior hip replacement patients. Thanks to your Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases, we now have this incredible device at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Since surgeons started using it early this month, the response from all OR staff has been overwhelmingly positive.
Although hip replacements seem routine these days – most of us know someone who's had one – it does require a lot of technical skill and planning. That's in large part because orthopaedic surgeons are working with the largest and strongest bone in the body, which in turn is held in place with large, strong muscles and ligaments.
(Skip to the next paragraph if you're squeamish…) Anterior hip replacement is a procedure in which orthopaedic surgeons access the hip joint through the front of the leg instead of the side – often using a smaller incision. During the operation, surgeons replace the rounded top of the femur called the femoral head with ceramic or metal. Getting to that femoral head can be difficult. Previously, it took a team of nurses with the surgeon to help pull and separate the femur from the hip socket and brace it during surgery. The joint is removed and replaced with the new implants before the new femoral head is carefully put back into the socket.
This procedure can be difficult physically, particularly in people with larger, stronger muscles such as younger adults and athletes. The Hana Table makes operating much easier for several different reasons.
For one, the table holds both legs in place without the need for extra hands. The leg stirrups also provide traction for the leg being operated on, with ultra-fine adjustments as necessary.
“Both feet go into what look like padded ski boots,” said Deb Everts, one of the Hospital's OR leaders. “Those boots are locked into the end of the Hana Table so the surgeon can add traction to the leg, quickly and precisely.”
The Hana Table improves on a mobile leg positioner used today that attaches to the operating table. Carbon fibre construction means surgeons have a clearer view on X-rays during image-guided surgery. The Hana Table is all one unit with controls that are easier to use. And, it is better at positioning – and holding – the legs at precise angles.
“It's really important to have the leg at a specific angle during surgery so that the replacement lines up properly with the hip socket,” said Ron Garon, Manager of Perioperative Services. “This equipment does it better than ever.”
What really sets the Hana Table apart though is the addition of what's called a femoral hook. As the name suggests, it hooks the femur and provides support for it during surgery. Mechanical actuators provide the strength and precision needed to ensure the surgeon can access the femoral head properly.
“The femoral hook is a key piece of the Hana Table,” said Mel Chislett, Integra, Mizuho OSI Agent for Eastern Canada, who came up from southern Ontario to train staff on the device. “It takes a lot of strength to move that leg bone and then hold it in position during the procedure. The table does it automatically.”
Now, surgeons can easily operate on most patients regardless of muscle mass and without relying solely on the strength of the team. This also reduces the risk of strain injury to staff. The positioning and traction features also make the Hana Table ideal for trauma and some other leg surgeries.
The Hana Table is now in use in our OR, thanks in part to your Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases. No matter who wins the Grand Prize Draw, we all win thanks to new innovations like this. The December 50/50 may be bigger than ever, now that we've already surpassed the guaranteed $2.5 million Grand Prize. Get your tickets including gift tickets at the Thunder Bay 50/50 Store at Intercity Shopping Centre or online at: thunderbay5050.ca
Article by Graham Strong