Blog
The MISHA Knee System: A Shock Absorber for Inner-Knee Arthritis
Elite Sports Medicine ·
For people with arthritis on the inner side of the knee, the options have often felt like two extremes: keep managing the pain, or have the joint replaced. The MISHA™ Knee System was designed for the gap between them. Dr. Marc F. Matarazzo of ELITE Sports Medicine was the first surgeon in Florida to implant it.
What it is
MISHA is a small implantable shock absorber. It sits along the inner side of the knee, outside the joint, and absorbs some of the force that would otherwise pass through the worn inner (medial) compartment with every step.
Nothing is removed. No bone is cut and no cartilage is taken. The joint itself is left alone, which is the key difference from a knee replacement.
Who it is for
MISHA suits a specific kind of patient:
- arthritis confined to the inner compartment of the knee, at an early to moderate stage
- inner-knee pain that builds the longer you are on your feet
- someone who has already worked through therapy, injections, medication and bracing
- someone active, who is not ready, or not old enough, for a joint replacement
It can also suit knees that have hurt since a meniscus was removed, and bow-legged alignment that drives extra load through the inner side.
MISHA vs. knee replacement
| MISHA Knee System | Knee replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Unloads the inner knee from outside the joint | Resurfaces the joint |
| Bone and cartilage | Left in place | Removed and replaced with implants |
| Incision and recovery | Small incision; quicker recovery | Larger procedure; longer recovery |
| Later options | A replacement remains fully available | — |
Recovery
Walking starts the same day. Exercise comes back in stages, led by the rehabilitation plan. Once it has healed in, patients generally stop being aware of the implant.
Can it delay a knee replacement?
It can. Taking load off the worn compartment may slow the wear, and nothing about MISHA closes off a replacement later. If you need one in ten years, that option is still open.
Is it right for you?
It takes an assessment: the arthritis has to be in the inner compartment and at the right stage. Read more about the MISHA Knee System, then call 561-202-8886 or request an appointment at the Port St. Lucie or Palm Beach Gardens office, and the practice will tell you honestly whether you are a candidate. Questions about insurance coverage can be answered on the same call.