On May 22, an orthopedic surgical team will perform Lawrence General’s first robot-assisted knee replacement in the Santagati Center for surgery. Lawrence Generalis among the first hospitals in the region to offer this latest advancement in joint replacement, which leads to quicker recovery times, earlier joint flexibility, and reduced post-surgical pain for patients.
The technology also enables surgeons to personalize each case by creating a patient-specific three-dimensional plan guided by CT images. Using this plan, the surgeon can then guide the robotic-arm and place the implant with a higher degree of accuracy.
“The introduction of robotics in the operating room is quickly changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed,” says orthopedic surgeon Steven Andriola, MD, of Orthopaedics Northeast. “This technology gives me the ability to personalize each patient’s surgical plan pre-operatively, ensuring a level of precision that is not possible using a manual process. In the operating room, I use the robotic-arm and the plan designed for the patient’s particular anatomy to get a better result.”
During surgery, surgeons can validate the plan and make any necessary adjustments, while the robotic-arm enables them to conduct the surgery with a high level of accuracy and predictability. As a result, this robot-assisted system generally leads to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. Studies have shown that robotic-arm assisted partial and total knee replacement are two to three times more accurate than manual knee procedures.
“This represents the next significant step in the development of our advanced orthopedic program in the Santagati Center,” says Dianne Anderson, RN, Lawrence General president and CEO. “In the two years since we opened the center, we have grown our capabilities for complex surgeries and we are committed to continuing that trend, offering more advanced and effective surgeries close to our patients’ homes. There’s no need to travel downtown to find expert surgeons and the latest care technologies.”
For more information on orthopedic robot-assisted surgery at Lawrence General Hospital, visit www.lawrencegeneral.org/joints.