Frequently Asked Questions

MMR is a surgical procedure in which an implant, called NUsurface®, is placed

between two bones in the knee. With MMR surgery there is minimal removal of bone or soft tissue.

Your orthopedic surgeon will decide if you are a candidate for the surgery. This will be based on your history, examination, X-rays, and response to non-surgical treatment.

The decision will then be yours.

Age is not a problem if you are in reasonable health and have the desire to continue living a productive, active life. You may be asked to see your personal physician for an opinion about your general health and readiness for surgery.

During the enrollment phase of the US FDA clinical trials, the average NUsurface® patient was about 50 years old, and

• Presented with debilitating knee pain
• Had failed to respond to, or was no longer satisfied with, non-operative conservative care treatments such as anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic medications, intra-articular injections
• Had previously undergone a partial medial meniscectomy, or meniscus repair procedure
• Had only mild to moderate osteoarthritis in the medial compartment

US FDA studies are ongoing, and final results are not available, however, patients who are candidates for partial or total knee replacement are generally not candidates. Additionally, patients did not meet the inclusion criteria to be a patient in one of our studies if the patient:

• Had a BMI greater than 32.5
• Had Varus/Valgus deformity greater than 5° from normal alignment
• Had significant cartilage loss, had a knee that is “bone-on-bone”
• Had MTP / MFC anatomical irregularities
• Had evidence of inflammatory arthritis
• Had evidence of Charcot Joints

Most surgical procedures go well without post-surgical complications. Your physician will conduct a pre-surgical history and examination. Depending on the patient’s medical condition, blood clots and infections may occur after surgery. Your physician will discuss all potential risks and complications associated with surgery and appropriate post-surgical treatments for common conditions.

This is up to your doctor. Most doctors are encouraging physical exercise or a pre-habilitation program prior to a sports medicine orthopedic procedure.

The NUsurface® surgery may performed on an outpatient basis, or your physician may recommend a short hospital stay.

Approximately one to one-and-a-half hours for surgery. Some of this time is taken by the operating room staff to prepare for the surgery.

Your orthopedic surgeon will perform the surgery.

Yes. Physical therapy will continue after you go home with a therapist in your home or at an outpatient physical therapy facility. The duration and type of therapy varies with each patient. Your doctor or their staff will help you with these arrangements before you go home.

Your physician will inform you of when you are able to drive.

The procedure begins with a knee arthroscopy. During this minimally invasive procedure, 2 to 3 small incisions are made on the outside and inside of the kneecap to allow a camera for visualization, and an operative instrument to be used at the same time. Through these portals the surgeon will complete an inspection of the knee to evaluate and prepare the knee for the NUsurface® Meniscus Implant. Once the knee is ready, and the damaged meniscus tissue has been removed, the implant is then inserted into the knee joint through a small incision.

After surgery, most patients undergo a six-week rehabilitation program. Most patients are able to ambulate wearing a leg brace in the first week and may put weight on it as tolerated on their first post-op day. Patients resume normal activities over time, as tolerated.

The NUsurface® Medial Meniscus Implant is an artificial medial meniscus designed for patients suffering from knee pain who are too old for meniscus repair and too young for knee replacement.

The NUsurface^® Meniscus Implant is made from a special type of plastic material that has a long history of use in medical implants.

Not at this time.

Although prosthetic devices for joint replacement have been developed and used for many years, finding a successful prosthetic replacement for the meniscus has yet to be accomplished. The NUsurface® Meniscus Implant is unique among orthopedic implants because:

• It can be inserted through a small incision
• It does not require fixation to bone or soft tissue
• It is made of a cartilage-friendly material with properties similar to the natural meniscus
• It can be easily removed and replaced if your implant wears out, or tears.

Where we are today is the result of over 12 years of clinical work, beginning with pre-clinical, mechanical, biomechanical, and animal testing. In addition:

• An 18-patient pilot study was conducted in Europe, from 2008-2010 to evaluate the technique and to validate pain relief.
• A 128-patient prospective, single-arm, multi-center study was conducted in Europe & Israel from 2011-2013 to refine the technique, indications, and confirm sizing.
• Two US FDA clinical trials are currently underway. The VENUS trial enrolled 127 patients in a prospective, randomized, multi-center study and the SUN trial enrolled 115 patients in a single-arm study. In 2019 these two studies were combined into the MERCURY study group for purposes of statistical analysis and FDA regulatory filings.

We are currently selling the NUsurface® Implant in Germany, Italy, Belgium, the UK and Israel. We will continue to expand outside the US.