2 minute read
Robotic-assisted joint replacement becoming more popular
by LOCALiQ
Precision driven
By Elise Riley
Fractions of a millimeter or the slightest alteration of a degree can make the di erence in the success of a joint replacement.
Achieving that level of precision isn’t science fiction or a special e ect. It’s happening every day when orthopedic surgeons perform joint replacements with the help of robotic technology.
“It is very common practice for robotics to be used for total or partial knee replacement,” said Dr. Paul Sousa, a
Board Certified and Fellowship Trained
Orthopedic Surgeon at The CORE Institute. “There are many robotic systems available for joint replacement. The most commonly used system is the
Mako robot, which allows for symmetric alignment and very precise component positioning.”
ROBOTIC TECH
“Robotics for joint replacement, as in any other field, is much more accurate than humans can possibly be on their own,” Dr. Sousa said. “The robot is important for surgery when precision matters the most. It’s not doing all the work, but it helps to make things very precise.”
While surgeons like Dr. Sousa still perform the actual surgery, the robotic arm assists during the procedure to make perfect cuts and position implants for optimal knee balance. It’s as though the surgeon has an extra – and extremely accurate – pair of eyes and hands.
Dr. Paul Sousa
PRECISE ALIGNMENT
Robots can help not only during the joint replacement procedure, but also during pre-op assessments to take exact measurements of a joint, map it, and calculate exactly where and at what angle the implant should be positioned. “We’re not talking about millimeters, it’s fractions of a millimeter,” Dr. Sousa said. “They’re accurate to a fraction of a degree and a fraction of a millimeter.” Those fractions of a millimeter or degree allow more accurate and precise alignment and positioning, which in turn may have practical impacts on the joint itself – better alignment may mean the joint will perform better and last longer. But more importantly, the patient experiences real, practical benefits from the precision the robot provides. Proper alignment should translate into a better, stronger and more stable gait.
As more people experience the benefits of robotic-assisted joint replacement, Dr. Sousa said it’s not something he has to convince patients to consider.
“It’s the opposite,” he said. “People are coming in and asking for it.”
