Pictured above: Hristo Piponov, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Endeavor Health, using image-guided, robotic-assisted technology.
As joint replacement procedures become increasingly common in younger and more active patients, robotic-assisted surgery is offering more accurate and precise positioning of implants.
“Image-guided, robotic joint replacement procedures are planned according to individual patient-specific anatomy. These are no longer one-size-fits all operations,” said Endeavor Health orthopaedic surgeon Hristo Piponov, MD, a hip and knee replacement expert.
While not yet the standard approach for every case, robotic-assisted joint replacements are increasingly recognized as a first-rate method that enables personalized planning and precision and improved patient outcomes.
The surgeon is always in control
When patients first hear the term robotic-assisted, they may have questions about its benefits and concerns about the surgeon’s role, said Dr. Piponov, who emphasizes that he and his colleagues are always in control of the robotic platform.
“We use pre-operative imaging to develop a meticulously detailed plan that dictates smaller incisions and precise bony cuts on the knee for implant placement,” he added.
And real-time feedback and data during the procedure helps a surgeon see how the knee moves, testing for full range of motion and stability with the new implant. “We can use that feedback to tweak the plan if needed and ensure that the implant is placed perfectly for the individual patient,” he added.
Before the image-guided, robotic-assisted technology was available all implants were placed according to the same alignment philosophy, which didn’t take into account individual differences, including things like bow-legged or knock-knee anatomy.
Patient-specific anatomy dictates implant placement
“Now we are able to maintain the patient’s constitutional anatomy with proper alignment in the replaced knee,” said Dr. Piponov.
In the case of robotic-assisted hip replacements that precision placement means there is less chance of an implant dislocating in the future. “I plan the surgery based on the patient’s individual anatomy I see in the images before surgery and the robot helps me match what I like on the screen,” explained Dr. Piponov.
The pre-surgical imaging is used to develop a 3D model that explores range of motion through sitting, standing and other exercises determining the best possible placement for the implant to minimize risk of misalignment and dislocation.
Pictured above: Dr. Piponov and the orthopaedic surgery team at the Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital Ambulatory Care Center.
Key benefits of robotic-assisted surgery
“The surgeon’s experience and expertise are as important as the advanced technology in terms of achieving the best patient outcomes,” explained Dr. Piponov.
Surgical recovery following robotic-assisted procedures is typically a bit faster and can be less painful as incisions are smaller, and cutting is more precise with less soft tissue trauma, he added. Patients often have less stiffness and better feel and stability in their new knee or hip.
Advancements in robotic assistance will continue to drive benefits in improved safety and patient outcomes in these well-established procedures, which are among the most common surgical procedures in the country.
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