Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – According to a study by US Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants, more than 400,000 total hip replacements are performed annually in the United States. As the baby boomer generation ages, that number is predicted to rise. Fort Lauderdale orthopedic surgeon William A. Leone, M.D., F.A.C.S. and head of The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care at Holy Cross Hospital, has invented the Pelvic Alignment Level™ (PAL) surgical device that allows for greater implant precision when performing total hip replacements. The PAL is receiving recognition throughout the orthopedic community, including a published article in Techniques in Orthopaedics, September 2011, as a powerful, new tool that helps to facilitate accurate component positioning and proper leg length during and after total hip replacement surgery.
Simply stated, something as ordinary as hanging a picture requires a ruler or other device to make sure it's level. Dr. Leone has taken what may seem like a simple concept and applied it to hip replacement surgery. Prosthetic joints with optimal positioning may function better and for a longer time and according to Dr. Leone the use of the PAL device and technique has already made a huge difference for his patients.
"What this means for patients is that during surgery, when a person's position may shift, PAL readings assure that the artificial joint maintains proper positioning and allows the surgeon to make adjustments for a better outcome, including correct leg length and angle of the prosthesis," explained Dr. Leone. "This device eliminates the 'guess factor' and the potential for error when relying strictly on visual assessment for prosthesis placement."
Using the PAL during surgery does not require surgeons to significantly alter operating techniques. The PAL device has a sterile bubble level, similar to common construction levels, which attaches to a small pin anchored in the pelvis. It allows surgeons easily to see pelvis movement by monitoring the bubble level. The PAL also can be placed on instruments used to implant the prosthetic hip cup, directly measure cup position and is equipped to measure leg length.
“PAL gives surgeons a simple method to visualize unintended pelvic motion which can occur during surgery and to make corrections," added Dr. Leone. "There has been a need for this type of device for hip replacement surgery, especially with use of smaller surgical incisions and an increased rate in obesity. It's all about balance, providing a better experience for patients and helping people return to full and active lives."
About Dr. Leone Dr. William A. Leone is head of the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For the past 20 years, he has helped thousands of patients from around the world and today his practice focuses exclusively on solving complex hip and knee problems, including hip and knee replacement surgery. As a key member of the Holy Cross leadership team, Dr. Leone has garnered numerous honors and awards. Most recently, he was featured in the New York Times as one of America's top doctors and a Florida "Top Orthopedic Surgeon," as chosen for the second year in a row by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a health care research firm. To learn more about The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care, visit www.holycrossleonecenter.com.
About Holy Cross Hospital A member of Catholic Health East, Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. is a full-service, non-profit Catholic hospital, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Since opening its doors in 1955, the 571-bed hospital has offered progressive services and programs to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Broward County. Today, Holy Cross has more than 600 physicians on staff representing more than 40 specialties and more than 3,000 employees. The hospital is fully accredited by the independent Joint Commission, its nursing excellence is recognized with a Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and its medical team has earned a reputation for excellence unsurpassed in the community. To learn more about Holy Cross, visit www.holy-cross.com.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – According to a study by US Markets for Large-Joint Reconstructive Implants, more than 400,000 total hip replacements are performed annually in the United States. As the baby boomer generation ages, that number is predicted to rise. Fort Lauderdale orthopedic surgeon …
William A. Leone, MD, received the prestigious 2011 "Top Doctors" for orthopedics as reported by Gold Coast magazine - for the second consecutive year. This is an incredible honor, as Dr. Leone was chosen out of over 230,000 of the nation's leading medical specialists, and only the best were …
Contact Us
Call 954-489-4575 or fill out our
As I reflect over the past 10 years, my wife and I have concluded that you not only saved our future but also our lives.
I recall so well the first day I walked into your office. I was scared and apprehensive. I had been told that I needed a hip replacement. I feared that my police career, which had been happy and active, would prematurely be over and with it my future. I was tense. My police instincts were activated and I knew our meeting was destiny. You reassured me that although I did need a hip replacement, that the situation was not “grave” and that I would
Chef David
