On Sept. 6, 2023, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) announced it had achieved a landmark in orthopaedic medicine by undertaking the nation’s first commercial application of a leading-edge surgical technique by OHSU orthopaedic surgeon Dennis Crawford, M.D., Ph.D.to treat osteoarthritis in the knee, a common condition that affects millions of people.

The surgical team at OHSU undertook the first commercial application of a new implantable shock absorber to treat osteoarthritis in the knee on June 28 in the OHSU Center for Health & Healing on the South Waterfront campus.

Proctor, an active 49-year-old who lives in the Aloha area west of Portland, said he began jogging in 1- to 3-minute intervals just three weeks after the procedure and is steadily rebuilding leg strength. Over the long term, he is looking forward to resuming hikes through Oregon’s Coast Range and Columbia River Gorge — plus he’s obtained some new climbing gear in anticipation of scaling peaks in the Cascade Range.

After two previous surgeries to reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament dating back to a skiing injury in 2006, Proctor said he noticed a major difference in recovery time. 

The procedure is useful for patients with early to moderate osteoarthritis of the medial knee, causing pain to the point that it limits their daily activity.