Miller School Orthopaedic Surgeon Leads Award-Winning Knee Revision Surgery Research
Summary
- Research on revision surgery after knee replacement recall led by the Miller School’s Dr. Victor Hugo Hernandez won the 2025 Aaron A. Hofmann Resident Award.
- Dr. Hernandez and team found industry recommendations to be inadequate and developed a more personalized algorithm using MRI technology.
- The research highlighted patient-beneficial approaches that can make future revision surgeries less likely.
Research on revision surgery after knee replacement recall led by Victor Hugo Hernandez, M.D., professor of orthopaedics and chief of arthroplasty and adult joint reconstruction at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, won the 2025 Aaron A. Hofmann Resident Award.
Renowned orthopaedic surgeons competed for the award, including research teams from Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Rothman Orthopaedics and Thomas Jefferson University. Residents from the affiliated programs presented the research to a panel of judges. Aaron Hofman, M.D., a pioneer in total joint replacement, presented the award at this year’s Park City Hip & Knee Foundation symposium.
Revision Surgery after Knee Replacement Recall
The Miller School’s winning abstract is a study of 250 patients undergoing revision surgery after their knee replacements were recalled.
“There is a lack of research on how to approach these recalls,” Dr. Hernandez said. “Following industry recommendations about what to do with these patients is not adequate because many end up needing more surgery in two to three years after the revision. We developed a more personalized algorithm, using MRI technology and working with colleagues in MSK radiology.”
The practice-changing research paves the way for optimal care of patients whose devices have been recalled after total knee replacement surgery.
“It’s not an uncommon situation for even the bigger companies to recall a total joint replacement device,” Dr. Hernandez said. “A study like this fills a gap in our knowledge and offers more individualized approaches to maintain quality of life.”
Benefits for Knee Replacement Patients
Using MRI technology, Miller School researchers were able to detect early signs of synovitis (inflammation around the prosthesis) following total knee replacement surgery.
“If the recall patients already have changes on MRI, we can tailor recommendations to change the whole device or only one part of it, based on findings. As a result, patients are less likely to need revision surgery in the next few years and can get on with their lives,” said study author Jean Jose, D.O., M.S., professor of clinical radiology and orthopaedics at the Miller School and medical director of radiology at the Lennar Foundation Medical Center.
The Aaron A. Hofmann Resident Award is an opportunity for residents to gain podium experience in the company of esteemed peers. The Miller School’s Jonathan Stern, M.D., presented the research and accepted the award on behalf of the Miller School’s research team.
At the Park City Hip & Knee Foundation symposium, Dr. Hernandez gave three lectures on:
• Mixed reality in hip replacement
• Using wearable devices to measure recovery and rehabilitation in patients with knee replacements
• How to approach revisions in knee replacement
“Our winning the coveted research award and presenting on such timely topics shows we are changing practice for the better and are on the cutting edge of orthopedics,” Dr. Hernandez said.
Tags: Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Jean Jose, Dr. Victor H. Hernandez, knee surgery, Orthopaedic surgery, total knee replacement