On Sept. 13, 2010, the Centers for Joint Replacement at St. David's Medical Center and St. David's North Austin Medical Center became the first hospitals in Central Texas to use robotic technology for partial knee replacement procedures. The MAKO Surgical Robot allows doctors to perform minimally invasive partial knee resurfacing procedures.
MAKOplasty® is used to treat early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Because it is less invasive than traditional surgery, patients may experience a shorter hospital stay, smaller incisions, less blood loss and a significantly shorter recovery period. Many patients are able to move around within four hours of the procedure, and they can often return to an active lifestyle within weeks.
"Over the years, we have seen robotic technology make significant improvements to treatments for a range of illnesses and injuries, but never before has there been a robotic option in Central Texas for knee surgery," said Dr. Matt Heinrich, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the joint replacement program at St. David's Medical Center. "The MAKO Surgical Robot allows us to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis at earlier stages and with greater precision. It is less invasive than non-robotic options and preserves more of the patient's natural knee."
This system provides the surgeon with a pre-surgical plan that details the technique for bone preparation and customized implant positioning using a CT scan of the patient's knee. During the procedure, the system creates a three-dimensional, live-action, virtual view of the patient's bone surface and correlates the image to the pre-programmed surgical plan. As the surgeon uses the robotic arm, its tactile, acoustic and visual feedback limits the bone preparation to the diseased areas and provides for more optimal implant positioning and placement for each individual patient.
"Precision is key in planning and performing partial knee replacement surgeries," said Dr. Tyler Goldberg, orthopedic surgeon at St. David's North Austin Medical Center. "For an optimal outcome, the surgeon must align and position the implants just right. Precision in surgery and in the pre-operative planning process can determine a patient's results."
Powered by the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic system, MAKOplasty® offers a more precise and consistent result for partial knee resurfacing. It can be performed on the inner, top and outer compartments of the knee. It can also be performed as a bicompartmental procedure on both the inner and top portions of the knee.
"Minimally invasive knee surgery has long been available, but the MAKO Surgical Robot improves accuracy to a level that can only be achieved through robotic technology," Heinrich said. The opportunity for early intervention is important, as osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Currently, the following physicians are trained to use the MAKO Surgical Robot: Goldberg, Heinrich, Dr. David Dodgin and Dr. Jake Manuel. Additional physicians are also being trained to use the robotic technology. About St. David's Medical Center St. David's Medical Center, located at 919 E. 32nd St. off of IH35, is owned by St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas. Founded in 1924, St. David's Medical Center includes a 347-bed, acute care hospital, and a dedicated 64-bed Rehabilitation Hospital that provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David's Medical Center is home to the renowned NeuroTexas Institute, (including the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention and designation as a Primary Stroke Center); the acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute; high-level women's services with Level I, II and III nurseries; a Bariatric Center of Excellence; the Breast Center; orthopedic services; and a 24-hour emergency department. In 2010, St. David's Medical Center was named in the list of 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care. For more information, please visit www.StDavids.com.
About St. David's North Austin Medical Center St. David's North Austin Medical Center, located at 12221 North Mopac Expressway, is owned by St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas. The 332-bed, multi-specialty, acute care facility is dedicated to the highest level of women's health services, including maternity and newborn care with Level I, II and III nurseries at the adjacent St. David's Women's Center of Texas. The facility also includes a 24-hour emergency department; a heart and vascular center; neurology and neurosurgery; a kidney transplant program; inpatient and outpatient surgery; and acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, among many others. For more information, please visit www.StDavids.com.
