geko Device: Jason Snibbe, MD, a fellow from the Kerlan-Jobe Institute, USC team surgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, CA presented a real-world total knee replacement (TKR) patient case study to an audience of over 900 orthopedic surgeons and healthcare professionals.

The case focused on the patient’s range of motion and mobility issues following total knee arthroplasty, where edema was determined as the culprit.

Dr. Snibbe presented the clinical rationale and his use of the FDA cleared the geko™ device to prevent the build-up of edema on the lower extremity orthopedic procedures he performs.  Dr. Snibbe later presented in a corporate-sponsored symposium further information titled, Post-Operative Edema in Orthopaedics-Clinical Implications and an Innovative Solution along with Dr. Brian Loyd from the University of Utah.

Post-operative edema occurs in over 90% of total hip and knee replacement patients^1,2 and is one of the main post-operative challenges where there is no dependable solution. Attendees heard from faculty thought-leaders on the economic burden edema creates, as well as detail on this new, disruptive technology that provides a long-needed solution for the orthopedic community – the geko™ device – a wearable, edema management therapy.

The geko™ device is the size of a wristwatch and worn at the knee. Through an innovative mechanism of bioelectronic neuromuscular electrostimulation, the daily disposable device gently stimulates the common peroneal nerve activating the calf and foot muscle pumps, resulting in increased blood flow in the deep veins of the calf for the prevention and treatment of pre and post-operative edema and the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) – in both surgical and medical patients at risk of VTE.

Evidence presented also demonstrated that swelling complications are experienced beyond 50 days, continuing in many patients for over 3 months², as well as RCT data demonstrating geko™ device prevention of post-operative edema build-up in total hip replacement patients³.

Practicing in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Jason Snibbe, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, with fellowship training in Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement Surgery. He performs surgery on the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. His practice has a special focus on hip preservation and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in hip preservation techniques using advanced arthroscopic hip surgery. He also performs minimally invasive hip and knee replacements which allow patients an accelerated recovery.

Dr Brian J Loyd, University of Utah, department of physical therapy, began his clinical research career, completing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. After earning his DPT, Loyd began his Ph.D. program in rehabilitation science at the University of Colorado Anschultz Medical Campus with a focus on improving function and recovery in mobility-limited populations. During his Ph.D. training, Loyd was a contributing or first author on 7 peer-reviewed publications and the first author on 9 peer-reviewed conference abstracts. He completed this work under the mentorship of Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, Ph.D.

References:

1. K.L. Kluga et al Improving Orthopedic-Related Postoperative Edema Management in a Rehabilitative Nursing Setting. Rehabilitation Nursing, 44(3), 151–160. doi: 10.1097/rnj.0000000000000104.

2. B. J. Loyd et al. Development of a reference chart to monitor postoperative swelling following total knee arthroplasty. Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1534005.