Discover How Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery Can Benefit You
Robotic tools amplify the precision and success of joint replacement surgery. Learn how this technology assists surgeons.
By Jeremy J. Reid, MD, Lead Physician and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Virtua Reconstructive Orthopedics
Robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery is an advanced surgical approach in which surgeons use robotic tools (such as Stryker’s Mako technology) to perform knee and hip replacements. Contrary to popular belief, the robot does not carry out the surgery itself — rather, skilled surgeons manipulate robotic tools to perform surgical procedures, enhancing the surgeon’s ability to align and place an implant.
In recent years, advances in robotic-assisted technology have allowed orthopedic surgeons to take joint replacement surgery to an even higher level of success. Despite the buzz, many patients still wonder exactly what happens during robotic-assisted surgery and what to expect from this type of procedure.
Learning more about how surgeons use robotic technology to benefit patients will help you understand why Virtua surgeons have adopted this advanced technology for a number of surgical procedures, including total knee, partial knee, and total hip replacement.
Benefits of robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery at Virtua
Joint replacement surgery is typically performed to resolve chronic joint pain caused by injury or overuse that leads to arthritis. The procedure removes diseased and damaged bone and cartilage and replaces it with metal and plastic implants. These implants help eliminate pain by alleviating mechanical stress just like your natural joint.
Depending on your knee condition, your surgeon may replace the entire knee (total knee replacement) or only the damaged part of the joint (partial knee replacement). Total hip replacement includes both the ball and socket of the hip, while partial hip replacement is a non-robotic procedure used primarily in fracture care.
Surgeons have successfully used robotic-assisted technology in joint replacement procedures for more than a decade. At Virtua Reconstructive Orthopedics, we use robotic-arm technology to customize your joint replacement surgery to your unique anatomy, which means your replacement joint will fit more precisely. It also means your surgery will require less bone removal and tissue damage than it would with traditional surgery. Using this technology results in fewer failed procedures, better alignment and less impingement (damage to the components of the artificial hip joint caused when they rub together during movement).
Other benefits of robotic surgery include:
- More accurate placement and alignment of joint implants
- Potential for smaller incisions and less blood loss
- Reduced damage to surrounding tissues
- Reduced risk of mechanical complications
- Greater potential to be less actively aware of, or “forget” your joint disease
- Potential for longer-lasting joint replacements
How are robotic-assisted surgeries performed?
Before your joint replacement, the surgeon uses the robotic system to generate a 3-D virtual model of your joint based on a CT scan. Based on this model, your surgeon uses the system to create a personalized, detailed pre-operative plan for your entire surgery. This pre-surgery planning allows your surgeon to achieve the most precise results.
During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm based on the pre-operative plan. The system assists your surgeon with the placement of each joint component. Although the system prevents your surgeon from moving outside pre-planned boundaries during surgery, the surgeon can adjust as needed.
What makes you a good candidate for robotic surgery?
Robotic-assisted joint replacement is widely available at Virtua, and all joint replacement patients are suitable candidates. Surgeons at Virtua use robotic-assisted technology whenever possible to provide the best, most precise results for their patients.
Get the very best surgical care in the region
At Virtua, our surgeons aren’t just skilled at using robotic tools to improve surgical outcomes. They’re trailblazers both in the region and in the country, performing the third-highest number in the U.S. of Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements. That puts Virtua in the top 1% nationwide for our volume of robotic hip and knee replacements.
To schedule a consultation with a Virtua Reconstructive Orthopedics joint replacement surgeon, visit https://go.virtua.org/joint-appointment or call (609) 267-9400.
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