Robotics-Assissted Knee and Hip Replacements in St. George, Utah

By Maria Todd, PhD, MHA, SGSC Director of Business Development

St. George Surgical Center is proud to announce the arrival of its new state-of-the-art CORI robot, Smith+Nephew’s most advanced and efficient handheld robotic system for knee replacement surgery. The CORI replaces the NAVIO robot that SGSC placed in service in November 2019. Combined with the benefits of Smith+Nephew’s 30-year OXINIUM implants, patients experience quicker recovery, avoidance of possible metal allergies, a more natural feel in their knee, and lower risk of complications after surgery. Mayo-trained orthopedic surgeon Gregory J. Hicken, MD, FAAOS, has successfully completed several CORI robotic-assisted knee replacements at the St. George Surgical Center since its arrival in January 2021.

Knee replacement surgery has been performed since 1968 and relied on manual procedures to remove damaged bone and place the implant within the joint with jigs and guides that placed long metal alignment rods into the thigh bone. Most recently, surgeons used CT scans to create surgical plans and determine implant sizing for each patient. Unfortunately for the patient, these CT scans were the equivalent of about ten chest x-rays in radiation exposure. In addition, they increased costs and added time from initial consultation until day of surgery.

With robotics-assisted joint replacement surgery, surgery is planned using a custom 3-D digital model of the patient’s knee during the actual surgical procedure in the operating theater. This 3-D view helps the surgeon finalize and verify the right size implant for each patient and create a detailed surgical plan to optimize movement and function. In most cases, it also eliminates the radiation exposure and the costs of the CT scan before surgery. Smith+Nephew’s CORI robot for knee and hip replacements has proven to the FDA that this enhanced level of accuracy and the design of the implants give patients a better long-term outcome.

Some of the other patient benefits of the Smith+Nephew CORI robotic and implant pairing are the OXINIUM ceramic-coated implants. The robot operates faster so that the patient is under anesthesia for a shorter period of time. In most cases, Dr, Hicken completes the procedure inclusive of the 3-D digital modeling and a customized surgical plan in about an hour and with more accuracy than non-robotics-assisted knee and hip replacement surgeries frequently performed elsewhere in St. George.

Precision and accuracy are key to a good outcome; if an implant is positioned incorrectly, it may not function as well or last as long. Other brands of knee and hip implants use metal joints and risk metal-onmetal micro flecks introduced into the patient’s body.

To enhance healing, reduce infection risk, and reduce pain from post-operative swelling, each Smith+Nephew implant comes with a PICO-7 negative wound pressure dressing at no additional cost to patient or insurer.

The CORI robot was a capital investment made by St. George Surgical Center, meaning it is a surgical tool, just like any other clamp or retractor. In that sense, there is no additional cost to the patient or their insurer to use the robot for knee and hip replacement surgeries at St. George Surgical Center. Their robotic-assisted knee and hip replacements are covered by Medicare, the VA, and many other insurers contracted with St. George Surgical Center. An all-inclusive, packaged cash price of $14,990 is also available for patients not covered by insurance.

To learn more about the benefits of CORI, join St. George Surgical Center for Lunch with the Doc at 11:30 a.m. on March 26, 2021, and April 23, 2021, at Magleby’s Restaurant. Doctors will explain the advantages of CORI knee and hip replacements and answer questions. There is no cost or obligation to attend. To reserve your seat, RSVP by calling 435-705-7039. Don’t wait; seating is limited!