Mako TM Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery

Optimizing Hip And Knee Replacements:

Mako TM Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery

At Penn Highlands Healthcare, we’re proud to be the first organization in Northwestern/Central Pennsylvania to offer joint replacement procedures assisted by Stryker’s robotic arm, Mako

SmartRobotics. For our patients in need of knee or hip replacements, this latest advancement in joint replacement surgery is transforming the way these procedures are performed.

What Is Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery? Robotic arm-assisted surgery is a new approach to joint replacement that offers the potential for a higher level of patient-specific implant alignment and positioning.

The technology enables surgeons to create a patient-specific 3D plan to perform joint replacement surgery using a surgeoncontrolled robotic arm that helps your Penn Highlands

Orthopedics surgeon execute the procedure with a high degree of accuracy.

For our patients, this results in smaller incisions, less soft tissue injury around the hip and knee, less blood loss, greater preservation of healthy bone, less pain after surgery and ultimately faster recovery so you can return to your desired activities. “We’re thrilled to bring the Mako robot to Penn Highlands patients,” said Dr. Matt Varacallo, Director of Orthopedic Robotic Surgery at Penn Highlands. “This is truly the leading edge of orthopedic surgery. Roboticassisted total joint replacement is only available in larger cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, so there has been a void in this market for quite some time. I have been utilizing this type of technology since 2016 and I am thankful that we are now bringing this innovation to our area.”

On what this means to patients, Varacallo continued. “The Mako surgeon-controlled robot is positively impacting patient outcomes as it enhances our level of precision using a virtual model of the patient’s unique joint anatomy. This sophisticated process enables us to target our maneuvers before we even make the first cut. It delivers highly precise, smaller incisions, and ultimately less pain and more efficient recovery for the patient.”

The Mako application is a treatment option for adults who suffer from degenerative joint disease of the hip and knee. Using a virtual 3D model, the Mako system allows your Penn Highlands Orthopedics surgeon to customize your surgical plan preoperatively, so there is a clear plan for how the surgeon will position the implant before even entering the operating room. During surgery, the

surgeon can validate that plan and make any technical adjustments, while the robotic arm then allows the surgeon to execute that plan with a high level of accuracy and predictability. The combination of these three features of the system has the potential to lead to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

In the OR, the surgeon guides the robotic arm during bone preparation to prepare the knee or hip socket and position the implant according to the pre-determined surgical plan. In cadaveric studies, Mako has been shown to be four times more accurate and reproducible than manual joint replacement procedures.

”We are thrilled to be among the first to use this innovative technology in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Keith Zeliger, orthopedic surgeon at Penn Highlands Elk. “It is one part of the Penn Highlands Healthcare commitment to provide our community with safe, highly reliable healthcare and exceptional outcomes.” Varacallo adds that the orthopedic joint replacement program will continue to build on the accelerated recovery programs following joint replacement which are now some of the quickest in the country, including combining robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery with the currently implemented preoperative IOVERA treatments. Dr. Varacallo concluded, “This type of multi-faceted and comprehensive approach to pain control and accelerated total joint recovery is not offered anywhere else in the country!”

At this time, orthopedic surgeons will perform surgeries assisted by the robot at Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Clearfield.

Considering hip or knee replacement surgery? Here, our experts answer your questions about Mako:

Is the Mako robotic arm-assisted surgery an option for my hip or knee replacement? Your orthopedic specialist at Penn Highlands Healthcare can help you determine whether Mako is right for your joint replacement procedure.

What are the benefits of joint replacement procedures performed with Mako SmartRobotics? The result of a procedure performed with Mako can differ from traditional joint replacement surgery with fewer soft tissue releases and smaller incisions, less blood loss, protection of healthy bone, and ultimately optimal joint alignment and faster recovery.

How does Mako joint replacement surgery work? The Mako SmartRobotics technological process is unique from other joint replacement procedures because it begins with your CT scan to allow your surgeon to create a personalized plan based on your unique anatomy as displayed in a virtual model of your joint. Your Penn Highlands Orthopedics surgeon can then target his or her maneuvers before even making the first incision.

The robotic arm assists your surgeon as it is guided by haptic technology that limits the arm within the virtual boundaries. All this provides you with permanent relief from your joint pain so you can get back to doing what you love.

Where can I have my Mako joint replacement surgery? Currently, Mako robotic arm-assisted surgery is available from the Orthopedics teams at Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Clearfield.

What does recovery look like? One of the greatest benefits of the Mako SmartRobotics arm for your joint replacement is the faster recovery time that’s been demonstrated for a significant number of patients who have undergone procedures with Mako. While traditional joint replacements can require four to six weeks of recovery before a patient can return to some normal routine activities, in some cases, Mako is shown to decrease recovery time by as much as half. Mako may also lead to less blood loss, swelling, and pain than traditional knee replacement surgery.