Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, part of Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care, used Twitter to post live updates of a bi-lateral knee replacement surgery, showcasing its use of new orthopaedics technology.

Using the social networking site and TwitPic, the not-for-profit healthcare system's staff provided 140 character updates and photos of the surgery.

"It's a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to communicate with patients and alleviative fears about joint replacement surgery," said Joel Wallskog, MD, who performed the surgery.

The hospital used VISIONAIRE, from Smith & Nephew, a global medical technology business. The VISIONAIRE technology uses a patient's MRI and X-rays to create custom surgical instrumentation of knee implants or custom cutting blocks, using an advanced Web-based software program, which generates virtual images of the knee.

The custom cutting blocks allow surgeons to accommodate the unique shapes and angles of the joint while precisely aligning the implant.

"The computer, prior to the surgery, was perfect in its data and the cuts are perfect," reported hospital staff. "The pieces are fitting perfectly on her knee like putting a puzzle together."

The custom cutting blocks also allow for a less invasive surgical procedure, which can help speed recovery time. The disposable patient-specific instruments also help surgeons eliminate multiple steps and time from knee replacement surgery.

"We are only using about one-third of the instruments - a perk to this procedure," said staff.