Understanding Robotics for Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
You are unique and so is your individual anatomy. Robotic hip and knee replacement surgeries use robotic technology to assist specially trained surgeons in tailoring the placement of the hip and knee implants specific to your body’s anatomy.
Robotics at Cleveland Orthopedic & Spine Institute
The Northern Ohio Surgery Center at Cleveland Orthopedic & Spine Institute offers patients the Zimmer Biomet ROSA® robotic technology. This tech uses data collected before and during your surgery to inform your surgeon of many details related to your unique anatomy that may affect your implant fit. By using this data to make more informed decisions, your surgeon is able to plan for and carry out a personalized surgery based upon your individual needs.
The ROSA Experience
Your preoperative experience will be like that of most total joint replacement patients. But, unlike traditional methods, a series of x-rays may be used to create a three dimensional (3D) model of your hip or knee anatomy. This 3D model will enable the surgeon to plan many specifics of the joint replacement prior to surgery.
The surgical procedure is similar to traditional replacement surgery but with a robotic surgical assistant. The robot does not function on its own, and it does not move unless your surgeon prompts it to. It is simply a tool the surgeon uses.
During the procedure, ROSA utilizes a camera and optical trackers attached to your body to know exactly where your hip or knee is in space. Think of it like a very detailed global positioning system (GPS). If your body moves even a fraction of an inch, the robot can tell and adjust accordingly. This helps to ensure that the plan your surgeon put into place is executed and intended. Throughout the surgery, ROSA provides your surgeon with data about your knee or hip — including the bones and the soft tissues. This information, combined with your surgeon’s skill, helps them know how to position your implant based on your unique anatomy.
The surgeries performed at our surgery center are outpatient with patients going home the same day to recover. You are up and moving the day of surgery. Recovery times vary, but most people should be able to drive within weeks after surgery and resume normal activities within four to six weeks. Your surgeon will tell you when and what activities to avoid and prescribe a physical therapy protocol to follow.
Robotic Specialist, Dr. Atul Kamath
Robotic hip and knee specialist, Dr. Atul Kamath, is specially trained on the Zimmer Biomet ROSA system. He has performed thousands of procedures related to the hip and knee, and he routinely teaches nationally and internationally on cutting-edge techniques in joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Kamath is a developer and pioneer of a number of techniques and industry platforms for joint replacement and robotic surgeries. In addition to joint replacement, he has particular expertise in joint (hip/ knee) preservation and biologic treatments for hip and knee pain. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Dr. Kamath carefully plans each orthopedic surgery, and uses advanced planning tools to further customize the surgical preparations. He also uses smart implants to enable secure, active communication between the implanted orthopedic device and his office. This provides real-time, objective, and long-term data to better tailor your post-operative recovery, and to enhance routine monitoring.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kamath to learn more by calling 440-709-1945.