Nanoknee, is it better or merely hype?

I am seeing odd comments about payment for nano knee versus JiffyKnee. JiffyKnee is a procedure and can be used with any implant. It is paid for just like any total knee so it is covered by insurance. It does not require any special implants and does not require any special instruments and no extra cost. Nano knee requires custom implants that as far as I can tell cost about 8500 dollars and are not paid for by insurance. I am an orthopedic surgeon. There is nothing in orthopedic literature that has ever proven that custom implants provide better results than typical off the shelf components used by all other companies. I would never have custom implants made for myself if I needed a joint replacement. Also robotics has no data proving any long-term benefit. but there certainly is extra cost that typically is absorbed by the hospital. I have seen in some surgery centers and hospitals, they might make the patient pay for the robotic parts used in the case which can be costly.

Yes, I understand that Jiffy knee is a better alternative to traditional knee replacement. However, as of last year... it wasn't offered in California.
I live in California & had the Nano Knee replacement. I only used a walker 1 day & was walking over 1/2 miles a day on day 3. My replacement was on April, 8, 2025...2 months later on June 8th, I flew all the way Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro & Slovenia...a 23 day trip. I was able fly over 16 hours each way & walk 5-7 miles a day plus hundreds & hundreds steep steps while in this trip. I had traditional one replacement 11 yrs. ago & had very good results...but a lot o pain & PT. I could have never done a trip like that within 2 months of a traditional TNR.
A lot of out of pocket...but worth it if you can afford it & a much shorter, less painful recovery.
Like I mentioned, I understand that Jiffy knee is another great alternative...but not offered in all parts of the country.

@imaginger Hi, my total Jiffy Knee replacement was covered by Medicare. I’m 74 with Medicare and a good gap plan. I had my right JK surgery on December 17Th. Walked unassisted from day 1, drove on day 6, driving range at 5 weeks and 18 holes at 6 weeks. I’m in AZ and my surgeon was Dr Dustin Sepich. It was outpatient surgery taking 45 minutes and I can’t say enough about it. Non-narcotic pain killer for the first week and then ES Tylenol thereafter, and gabapentin at night for about 3 weeks. To learn more about Jiffy Knee from real users, there’s a great, supportive community on Facebook called Jiffy Knee Replacement Fan Club. Good luck with your research!

@dbobinaz Congratulations! We are actually fortunate in greater Phoenix that we have a real cohort of skilled hip/knee surgeons.

@steveinarizona we are! All three @ AZ Ortho are fabulous.

Where do you play golf? I play at the Phoenician.

@judycat

Hi, judycat, sounds like the Nano Knee replacement is preferable. Can you tell me how old you were when you had the Nano Knee replacement? And were you active and fit prior to such surgery?

Thank you

@dbobinaz Thank you for sharing your experience. I am starting gel shots for a very cranky knee: Kellgren 3 arthritis, root tear of meniscus and subchondral fracture. I followed RICE routine, had cortisone, do PT regularly because I run, play tennis and golf. I am 76. I see a surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. No one there does Jiffy Knee.
Where did you have surgery and how long has your surgeon been doing jiffy knee?

@crankyknee Ugh! I hate a cranky knee. Hope the gel shots work for you, they were the only thing that worked for me.

My surgeon was Dr. Dustin Sepich @az Ortho in Peoria, AZ. He’s been certified in Jiffy Knee by the inventor, Dr Patel of Virginia, and performing Jiffy Knee surgery with AZ Ortho since January of 2025, however, like most if not all JK surgeons, he provided a variety of arthroplasty conditions for 20 years prior.

I’m originally from Western NY and was surprised there were no JK surgeons there, but recently discovered through the Jiffy Knee Replacement Fan Club Facebook group that

Dr. John Sullivan has several offices, and one is in New Hartford, NY. He does JK surgeries there.

There are also 2 in NJ who may be closer if you want a consultation. DR. PAUL CODJOE - HAMILTON, NJ (plus 3 more locations)
DR. JAMES LEE JR. - PARAMUS, NJ. That Facebook group I referenced has a lot of posts from patients of Dr. Codjoe if you want to check it out. Because I’m a newbie in this group, I can’t post a link.

It’s worth a consultation if one of them is close enough to you, in my opinion. Everyone is different, but there are so many of us who have had fantastic outcomes with JK. You sound like an active, vital person despite your knee problems. I think you could do well. Best of luck to you!

@crankyknee .Look up Dr. Manish Patel, located in Virginia. Only surgeons trained by him can, do the Jiffy Knee.