Draft release - ski press December 15, 2006
There is great news for skiers suffering the agony of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury this winter, or needing to find a skilled surgeon to assist with their on-going knee problems, thanks to the forward thinking approach of one Orthopaedic surgeon.
Mr Shameem Sampath, of The Bluespot Knee Clinic, in Lancashire, is the only surgeon in England and Wales, and one of the few in the world, whose knee clinic is named as a reference centre for computer aided knee surgery. This international recognition is thanks to his work in the field of computer aided knee surgery, which is far more advanced than that carried out by most other surgeons.
Mr Sampath has pioneered the use of computer aided surgery for knees since January 2005. In June, 2006, he was honoured by an invitation to present his results and experience at an international convention on computer aided surgery, in Canada, where his results were found to be unsurpassed anywhere.
The Bluespot Knee Clinic uses computer aided surgery in all of its cruciate ligament replacements and knee replacements. This is to achieve the level of accuracy required if an operation of this nature is to be a success.
Computer aided surgery allows the surgeon to take precise and accurate measurements of the individual patient's knee and use computer imaging and diagnosis to be able to make incisions in exactly the right location to suit that patient. Accurate placement of ligaments and knee components is the result of this type of surgery, which drastically reduces the levels of inaccuracy plaguing traditional, hand-held methods of surgery.
Any sports enthusiast hates to be side-lined from their particular activity, but many of Mr Sampath's anterior cruciate ligament patients are back up and running well in time for the next season. With less chance of rejection of a new ligament, thanks to the pinpoint accuracy, many skiers could soon be raising a glass to computer aided surgery during their apres ski parties.
Mr Sampath's clinics are held in Blackpool, St Annes and Lancaster, all within easy reach of the M6, Blackpool airport and the West Coast rail network between London Euston and Glasgow. Manchester airport is only 75 minutes away.
Mr Sampath, who trained at both Harvard and Oxford says: "Many of my patients are now travelling from far afield to access our accurate surgery which costs no more than other private knee operations despite the use of this wonderfully accurate technique. Anyone who wants a right first time approach to knee surgery should consider this option."
For more information on this precise type of surgery and other ski safety advice to help prevent ligament tears, visit www.TheBluespotKneeClinic.co.uk or call 0800 121 8008.
Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 595558
Note to Editors
Photography of Mr Sampath is available from Catapult PR, on request. Interviews with Mr Sampath may also be arranged through Catapult PR.