Device used during surgery co-designed by both surgeons
NOBLESVILLE, IN (May 13, 2025) — Dr. Michael Meneghini, a nationally recognized leader in joint replacement and the CEO and founder of the Indiana Orthopedic Institute (IOI), recently performed a partial knee replacement using the Enovis EMPOWR Partial Knee®—a device he co-designed. What made this procedure especially meaningful was the patient: Dr. Brian Palumbo, a fellow nationally renowned hip and knee surgeon based in Florida, who also contributed to the development of the implant that was used.
Co-developed with Enovis, the EMPOWR Partial Knee® represents a major advancement in personalized joint replacement technology. Dr. Meneghini’s dual role as designer and surgeon underscores IOI’s deep commitment to innovation, clinical excellence, and advancing the field of orthopedics.
“This experience was more than just a surgical procedure; it was the culmination of years of research, design, and clinical expertise,” said Dr. Meneghini, CEO of Indiana Orthopedic Institute and Chief Market Development Officer at HOPCo. “Being entrusted with the care of a fellow orthopedic surgeon is one of the highest professional honors and speaks volumes about the quality of care we provide at Indiana Orthopedic Institute.”
Indiana Orthopedic Institute is nationally recognized for its evidence-based care pathways, specialized physician leadership and exceptional patient outcomes. Dr. Palumbo’s decision to travel to Indiana for his surgery reflects IOI’s growing reputation as a destination for advanced joint preservation and replacement care.
The EMPOWR Partial Knee® implant aims to provide a less invasive option for knee replacement. It’s designed to replace only the damaged part of your knee, preserving as much healthy bone and tissue as possible. This approach helps maintain more of the patient’s natural knee function and can lead to a quicker recovery. The implant is shaped to mimic the natural contours in the knee, allowing for smoother motion and a more natural feel. It uses a special plastic blended with vitamin E to reduce wear and tear over time, enhancing the implant’s longevity. The design allows for a streamlined surgical process, which can reduce hospital stays and recovery time.
“When considering treatment options, I gained a whole new perspective on what our patients go through,” said Dr. Palumbo, Orthopedic Surgeon at Florida Orthopedic Institute and President of Actuos Med. “When the injections stopped working, I knew I was a good candidate for a partial knee replacement and I began to question who I trusted to do it. Choosing the best option for my own health mirrored the decisions I help my patients make every day. Now, being back in the gym and not constantly thinking about my knee, I realize this experience has given me a fresh perspective. I believe it’s made me a better hip and knee surgeon.”
To learn more about Indiana Orthopedic Institute’s advanced joint replacement services or to schedule an appointment, call (317) 620-0232.
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About Indiana Orthopedic Institute
The Indiana Orthopedic Institute (IOI) is a premier provider of advanced orthopedic care specializing in hip and knee replacement and offering hand, elbow, shoulder, foot, ankle, and fracture care. Founded and led by Dr. Michael Meneghini, IOI is committed to delivering innovative, patient centered care focused on surgical excellence, education, and research. With multiple locations across Indiana including Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, and the new flagship facility in Noblesville, our highly skilled providers and surgeons manage the entire continuum of care seamlessly, from initial evaluation and non-surgical treatments to surgical procedures and recovery.
The state-of-the-art flagship center offers a comprehensive, patient-focused orthopedic experience, featuring the latest advancements in musculoskeletal (MSK) care with a multi-disciplinary team approach of nationally and internationally recognized surgical, anesthesia, and perioperative medical providers ensuring our patients receive their care in the safest possible environment with superior outcomes. The facility includes an ambulatory surgery center with four operating rooms, a dedicated orthopedic clinic with 20 exam rooms, therapy services, x-ray imaging, and a cutting-edge research gait lab. An on-site education and research conference center further reflects IOI’s commitment to innovation and clinical excellence.
IOI leverages a fully integrated suite of digital solutions to optimize provider efficiency and elevate patient care, in partnership with Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) – the leading national provider of MSK practice management and clinical outcomes, and the largest orthopedic value-based care organization in the United States. This partnership enables IOI to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care tailored for success in today’s value-based healthcare environment.
For more information, please visit indianaortho.com or call (317) 620-0232.
About Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo)
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) is the national leader of integrated musculoskeletal value-based health outcomes management, practice management and health system service line management. This includes comprehensive expertise across all MSK specialties, including orthopedics, spine, neurosurgery, hand, pain management, rehabilitation and neurology. HOPCo’s integrated care, analytics and facilities development and management platforms have proven to increase the quality of patient care while reliably reducing the total cost of care across the care continuum for practices, health systems and payors alike. HOPCo’s affiliated payors, practices and health systems successfully participate in highly efficient value-based contracting (bundled payments, chronic episodes of care initiatives, population health programs and other advanced risk-based arrangements) utilizing HOPCo’s proprietary platforms, IT solutions, integrated analytics and evidence-based comprehensive care pathways. Visit https://hopco.com to learn more.
Media Contact:
Annebeth Ahrenholz
Communications Specialist
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo)
annebeth.ahrenholz@hopco.com
