A retired hunter from Fairport just became the first person in the region to receive a high-tech “smart knee” implant — part of a major orthopedic milestone at Rochester Regional Health.
Greg Malzewski underwent the cutting-edge procedure this week at Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic, where surgeons implanted the Persona IQ Smart Knee® device. The system, made by Zimmer Biomet, offers continuous real-time data about a patient’s recovery—like step count, walking speed, and range of motion—directly to care teams.
“This implant marks a paradigm shift in how we oversee joint replacement recovery,” said Dr. Sean Childs, the RRH orthopedic surgeon who performed the operation. “The ability to continuously monitor patient biomechanics gives us a window into daily function that was never before possible.”
Malzewski, who suffers from advanced degenerative arthritis, said he hopes the procedure will help him return to the outdoors. “At this point, they say my knee is bone on bone,” he said. “It has drastically restricted my ability to do the things I want.”
With the Persona IQ Smart Knee, recovery doesn’t stop at the clinic. The device sends movement data to a secure app every night, allowing doctors to spot issues early and adjust rehab plans in real time. That means fewer unnecessary visits—and more targeted care.
Rochester Regional Health is the only health system in the area offering this smart implant. The move reflects its push to bring next-generation technologies to patients in the Finger Lakes and surrounding communities.
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