On April 20th, 2009 Dr. Vasiu performed an outpatient unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (partial knee replacement) at Grand Valley Surgical Center. This procedure allows patients to return home the same day surgery is performed and was a first for the facility, Western Michigan and one of the first in the state. Patients benefit from the luxury and convenience of recovery in their own home, with in-home nursing and therapy provided at a significantly lower cost than in an institutional setting.
Additional benefits of the less invasive approach include less pain and swelling, quicker recovery and a more normal feeling knee post recovery than with a traditional total knee replacement. Patients must meet specific selection criteria and surgeons must complete an FDA approved international training seminar to utilize the special prosthesis (replacement parts). Dr. Vasiu completed this course in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in May 2005 and has been successfully performing the procedure since that time.