Over countless revisions and total knee replacements, Beau Konigsberg, MD, noticed room for improvement. “There are certain instruments we use to take out knee replacements to do a revision and put a new one in,” says Dr. Konigsberg. “This surgery can be particularly challenging, especially to cleanly remove the first knee replacement, so you do not lose a lot of bone.”
With these difficulties in mind, about a year and a half ago, Dr. Konigsberg approached the manufacturer of these instruments, Innomed, at a meeting in Dallas. After presenting his ideas in person, Dr. Konigsberg later emailed the company with his notes. Innomed took Dr. Konigsberg’s ideas and made them a reality. After a few months, in December 2024, Innomed presented him with an initial prototype.
Now, the company manufactures real sets of this instrument, which Dr. Konigsberg has used since and is available for anyone. These instruments are especially beneficial for Dr. Konigsberg, as Nebraska Medicine performs more knee revision surgeries than any other provider in the State or region.
“One of the key aspects of this surgery is successfully removing the original implant without destroying any bone,” says Dr. Konigsberg. “And I think these instruments will help make the surgery more efficient, safer, and better for patients. I have used them, and they have worked really well.”
Through Innomed, this instrument is now available across the globe. “Hopefully, providers will more widely implement them, and they will make revision knee replacement surgeries easier and safer,” says Dr. Konigsberg.