Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group / Daniel R. Howard, M.D. Completes Its First Implant of the MISHA® Knee System for Knee Osteoarthritis
Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group / Daniel R. Howard, M.D.
Completes Its First Implant of the MISHA® Knee System for
Knee Osteoarthritis
First implantable shock absorber now available for knee osteoarthritis patients who are not ready for joint replacement
Danbury, Connecticut – 11/6/2025 – Daniel R. Howard, M.D. of Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group announced it completed its first implantation of the MISHA® Knee System, the first implantable shock absorber (ISA) that reduces weight on the knee joint, easing pain, preserving function, and possibly delaying joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Daniel R. Howard at Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group is the first in Connecticut to implant this cutting-edge technology on designated patients, which was recently granted market authorization by the FDA.
“Many patients with knee osteoarthritis fall into a challenging middle ground between conservative treatment and joint replacement. Introducing the MISHA® Knee System into our practice gives us another tool to consider when determining an individualized plan for each patient.”
— Daniel R. Howard, MD, FAAOS
Osteoarthritis (OA) develops when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the joint bones wears down over time, causing pain and swelling during normal movement. Symptomatic knee OA is common, experienced by roughly 18 million Americans, over half of whom are of working age. However, there is a major treatment gap for adults with knee OA: surgeons and patients lack options when non-surgical conservative care has failed, but the patient is ineligible for, or unwilling to undergo, total knee replacement surgery.
The MISHA Knee System, implanted on the medial side of the knee during outpatient surgery, reduces peak forces by over 30% and has no device-imposed restrictions on post-operative weight-bearing or activity. Health economic analyses have determined that the MISHA Knee System offers high economic value for this younger, working-age population.
About Daniel R. Howard, MD, FAAOS
Daniel R. Howard, MD, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist at Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group. He provides evaluation and treatment for a broad range of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions at the practice’s Carmel, Mt. Kisco, Fishkill, and Danbury locations.
Dr. Howard treats a wide variety of orthopaedic and sports-related issues of the knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip. Dr. Howard’s clinical work focuses on ligament, meniscus, and cartilage injuries, as well as conditions. He offers a range of surgical and non-surgical options, including minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and advanced technologies like robotic-assisted knee surgery. His experience in caring for professional and collegiate athletes informs his approach to patient education, individualized treatment planning, and evidence-based orthopaedic care.
About Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group
Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group is a multispecialty orthopaedic practice serving communities across New York and Connecticut, including Carmel, Newburgh, Mt. Kisco, Fishkill, and Danbury. The practice provides comprehensive orthopaedic services supported by board-certified physicians and a range of diagnostic, surgical, and non-surgical treatment options. Somers is supported by HealthPlus Management, a national leader in physician practice growth and operational excellence.
Together, Health Plus Management and Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group are committed to delivering a best-in-class patient experience while continuing to grow their services and practice footprint within the region and beyond. With Health Plus Management’s support, Somers can focus on what they do best—providing exceptional clinical outcomes. By leveraging HPM’s expertise, they ensure valuable outcomes for all stakeholders. Physicians can look forward to benefiting from clinical autonomy and a better quality of life, patients will continue to receive comprehensive and compassionate care, and payers can witness quality, cost-effective treatments in the musculoskeletal space.
To learn more about Dr. Howard’s practice, the MISHA® Knee System or services available throughout Somers Orthopaedics, call us: 845-278-8400 or visit online: www.somersortho.com
Check out the Beckers Press Release!
Media Contact:
Marilia Nunez
Vice President, Marketing
Health Plus Management
mnunez@healthplusmgmt.com
516-231-4613
References:
1 Osteoarthritis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
2 Arthritis By The Numbers
3 Morgan O et al. Effects of a Medial Knee Unloading Implant on Tibiofemoral Joint Mechanics During Walking. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2019. DOI 10.1002/jor.24379.
4 An Exploratory Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Implantable Shock Absorber Placement in Patients with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis