St. Anthony Community Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, now offers robotic-arm assisted total knee replacement procedures. Robotic-arm assisted surgery assists surgeons by making implant placement more precise and aligned with each patient’s unique anatomy. This personalized precision can reduce surgical discomfort for the patient, speed recovery times and increase the longevity of the implant.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), joint pain can affect individuals of all ages, and can be prevalent in active seniors. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a common form of arthritis that occurs when cartilage inside a joint wears down over time. As a result, the joint becomes increasingly painful and difficult to move. If medical and physical therapy treatment options fail to provide relief, a surgeon may recommend total knee replacement using robotic technology.
The surgical robot’s modeling software uses x-ray data to create a three-dimensional image of the patient’s knee joint, and surgeons use this image map to build a customized plan to execute the procedure with greater accuracy. With this personalized patient data, the surgeon uses cameras and optical trackers to guide the robotic-arm and position the implant based on the patient’s unique anatomy.
“Technology does not replace the experience of a skilled surgeon, but it can help with exact execution in certain circumstances. Robotic-assisted surgery is a powerful tool that helps ensure the implants are placed in just the right position to optimize the patient’s total knee replacement,” said John Hardcastle, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Director of Total Joint Replacement, St. Anthony Community Hospital. “We know the decision to have joint replacement can be difficult for patients to make, and we believe these robotically-assisted technologies have the potential to make the decision easier.”
Community members suffering from joint pain should call 987-5400 to schedule an appointment or visit StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org/Joint-Robot for more information about the robotic-arm assisted knee replacement procedure.
