When ECU Health Beaufort Hospital recently began offering the MISHA® Knee System, it provided a new treatment option for patients living with medial knee osteoarthritis who are not ready for a knee replacement. Dr. Dimitri M. Thomas, orthopedic surgeon at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, is the only physician in eastern North Carolina offering the MISHA Knee System, providing patients in the region access to this innovative treatment closer to home.
Now, newly published long-term research led by Moximed is reinforcing the potential benefits of the innovative technology.
Results from a five-year study conducted in 10 orthopedic clinics across the United States and Europe found that patients treated with the MISHA Knee System experienced sustained pain relief, improved function and long-term durability.
The findings add to growing evidence supporting the MISHA Knee System as an effective option for patients seeking relief from knee osteoarthritis while maintaining an active lifestyle.
“Knee osteoarthritis can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making everyday activities difficult and limiting their ability to remain active,” said Dr. Thomas. “These five-year results are encouraging because they demonstrate that patients are not only experiencing meaningful improvements after surgery, but that those improvements are lasting over time.”
The study followed patients with medial knee osteoarthritis who had failed non-surgical treatments such as medication, injections and physical therapy. Researchers tracked outcomes for five years after MISHA Knee System implantation and reported strong results across key measures:
- 96% of patients experienced clinically meaningful improvement in pain
- 86% of patients experienced clinically meaningful improvement in physical function
- 90% of patients avoided conversion to knee replacement surgery or high tibial osteotomy during the five-year period
The MISHA Knee System is a less-invasive treatment designed to ease knee pain and help patients return to the activities they enjoy by reducing peak forces on the painful joint during walking, running or standing. Unlike knee replacement surgery, MISHA preserves the patient’s natural anatomy and does not require the removal of bone, cartilage or ligaments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of Americans live with osteoarthritis, a condition that can cause chronic pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. While conservative therapies can help manage symptoms, many patients continue to search for solutions that relieve pain without immediately progressing to joint replacement.
“For active patients who are looking for meaningful relief but are not candidates for or not ready to consider a knee replacement, the MISHA Knee System offers another pathway,” Dr. Thomas said. “Our goal is always to help patients maintain mobility, reduce pain and continue participating in the activities that matter most to them.”
The study also highlighted the ability of many patients to maintain active lifestyles years after surgery, including participation in activities such as running, biking and tennis.
Dennis Campbell II, DHA, RN, president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, said access to innovative treatments closer to home remains a priority for the hospital and the communities it serves.
“As we continue working to improve access to advanced care across eastern North Carolina, it is important that patients have local options that can help them stay active and independent,” Campbell said. “The publication of these long-term results further strengthens confidence in the MISHA Knee System and the value it can provide patients facing the challenges of knee osteoarthritis.”
Today, Dr. Dimitri M. Thomas, orthopedic surgeon at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, remains currently the only physician in eastern North Carolina offering the MISHA Knee System procedure, providing patients in the region access to this innovative treatment closer to home.
Patients interested in learning more about the MISHA Knee System can contact ECU Health Orthopedics – Washington at 252-946-6513. To read the full peer-reviewed publication, visit JBJS Online.