Your Joints Deserve Robotic Precision

Treatment for joint pain varies for each person and can include diet, exercise, medications, and physical therapy.  When knee or hip pain and loss of function become severe or medicines and other treatments no longer relieve pain, your doctor may recommend joint replacement.

Joint replacement surgery is becoming more common. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 600,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States each year. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons projects the number of total knee replacements performed annually will almost double by 2030 as more patients choose to resume their active lives.

Fortunately, patients today have more options than ever for joint replacement surgery, including robotic-arm assisted surgery.

About Knee and Hip Replacements

Knee and hip replacement surgeries are usually necessary when the joint is worn or damaged resulting in your mobility being reduced and pain even while resting. The most common reasons for this lack of mobility and pain include the following:

• Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time at the joints.
• Rheumatoid arthritis causes the joints to become swollen, stiff, and painful (inflamed) and over time can destroy the joint tissues.
• Post-traumatic arthritis is a common form of osteoarthritis and occurs due to a physical injury of a joint.

The Advantages of Robotic-arm Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery

At UPMC in Central Pa., one of the treatment options we offer patients is robotic-arm assisted surgery. This technology is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized plan based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy — delivered with robotic precision. This is the key to a more natural-feeling joint after surgery.

Robotic-arm assisted surgery for total knee and total hip replacement is performed at UPMC Harrisburg, Lititz, and Memorial. Robotic total hip is performed at UPMC Harrisburg.

How Do Surgeons Perform Robotic-arm Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery?

Before surgery, a CT scan of your knee or hip is taken and turned into a three-dimensional virtual model. The CT model is loaded into the robotic-arm assisted system software and allows your surgeon to create a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy.

During surgery, the doctor guides the robotic-arm in preparing the bone for implant. This technology helps prevent going outside of the boundaries defined by the CT model, protecting the soft tissue of the ligaments around the joint. This provides more accurate placement and alignment of the implant. This in turn results in more natural motion following surgery.

Robotic-arm assisted joint replacement surgery can be performed as either an inpatient or outpatient surgery, depending on what your orthopaedic surgeon determines is right for you. Inpatient hospital stays average anywhere from one to two days; outpatients return home the same day.

In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks, and return to normal daily activities shortly afterward. The entire health care team will work with you to set goals to get you back to daily life including activities such as walking, biking, swimming, and golfing.

Do Not Live with Hip and Knee Pain — Contact Us Today!

If knee or hip pain is keeping you up at night or making it difficult for you to walk up or down stairs or participate in other activities you enjoy see if joint replacement surgery is right for you.

To learn more about robotic-arm assisted surgery, visit UPMC in Central Pa. robotic arm assisted surgery or call 717-791-2620.