Robotic joint replacement: Advanced technology leads to better outcomes

For many years, joint replacement surgery held somewhat of a "status quo" reputation. Surgeons were generating good outcomes, but the technology wasn't progressing as quickly as some would like.

"We weren't getting any better as the years went by. It's sort of a diminishing returns effect, meaning you keep putting more time and energy in and you don't get any better outcomes," said Joel McClurg, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Reid Health.

Enter the concept of robotics.

"I think technology and robotics is the future of almost everything in orthopedic surgery," Dr. McClurg said.

Benefits of robotic technology

The Mako device is one of the longest-standing robotic technologies. It also has the most data behind it. Thanks to the precision Mako allows, data shows patients have shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, reduced tissue trauma, less need for physical therapy, and reduced narcotic use to address pain.

It's important to note the surgeon is still a critical part of these procedures. Dr. McClurg compares it to the art and skill of flying.

"Just because you can fly a single-engine plane, it doesn't mean you can fly an F-16 jet fighter," he said. "The old way of doing it gives you some ideas about lift and propulsion and landing, but you need to take your game up a whole different level to fly an F-16 than to fly a single-prop plane.

"That's what the robot is. It's just a tool for surgery, like a plane is a tool for flying. But the technology and the understanding that's necessary to make that happen is totally different at the robotic level."

Importance of buy-in from surgeons and staff

At Reid Health, surgeons have enthusiastically adopted robotic technology, which has led to better patient outcomes. Fortunately, everyone was on board from the start.

"The really cool thing about robotics is it becomes a catalyst for cultural change," Dr. McClurg said. "When you bring something like robotics in, it kind of energizes everybody - the nurses on the floor, the other physicians, the operating room staff, the administration.

"You combine robotic technology with that energy of people wanting to buy in and believe in something bigger than themselves and you get great outcomes."

Future of orthopedic surgery

The future of orthopedic surgery is very promising. For example, the plastic insert that's used in knee replacements will soon be able to relay certain information, such as how many steps a patient takes a day or the temperature of the implant, which could indicate an infection.

"We're going to get real-time data from the knee once it's implanted inside the patient," Dr. McClurg said.

But that's not the only advancement.

"We do total hips, total knees, and partial knees now, and there's going to be a total shoulder application that will be coming out," he said. "And that's just the tip of the iceberg."