Last week marked a significant milestone in orthopedic surgery as Dr. Jared T. Lee, Medical Director and orthopedic surgeon at The Steadman Clinic in Aspen, Colorado, successfully performed the 5th ever customized press-fit total knee replacement in the United States — a monumental achievement that reflects his commitment to precision, innovation, and patient-centered care.
What Is a Customized Press-Fit Total Knee Replacement?
Traditional total knee replacements typically use standard implants fixed to bone with medical cement. In contrast, press-fit implants are designed to achieve stability through bone ingrowth — allowing the patient’s own bone to integrate with the implant surface over time rather than relying on cement fixation.
A customized press-fit knee goes even further: using advanced imaging (such as MRI or CT scans) taken before surgery, the implant is individually designed to match the exact anatomy of the patient’s knee joint. This tailored fit can improve alignment, preserve more bone, and maximize contact with the surrounding bone structure.
Why This Matters in Orthopedics
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures, with nearly a million performed annually in the U.S. alone. But the evolution toward personalized and cementless (press-fit) strategies represents a major step forward:
- Better fit, better function: Custom implants that match a patient’s unique anatomy can improve comfort, range of motion, and long-term function.
- Bone-preserving approach: Press-fit techniques can preserve more natural bone and may offer easier revision surgery if needed in the future.
- Next-generation innovation: Combining patient-specific design with press-fit fixation exemplifies how orthopedic technology is pushing toward individualized, long-lasting solutions.
For the field of orthopedics, Dr. Lee’s success helps validate a technique that could expand access to next-generation knee replacement options. As personalized medicine continues to evolve, customized press-fit total knee arthroplasty stands at the forefront of surgical innovation — and thanks to leaders like Dr. Lee, many more patients may soon benefit.
