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New Robotic Surgery System for Hip, Knee Replacement at Central Connecticut

November 15, 2019

The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain now has a Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery system that changes the approach to hip and knee replacement.

Dr. Richard Scarlett, Chief of Orthopedics, says that over the years surgeons have relied on external alignment guides and less precise technologies to determine implant positions. With the advancement of robotic-assisted surgery in general, and the Mako robot in particular, surgeons have precise measurements to determine optimal implant positioning during surgery.

The Mako system offers an unprecedented level of data collection that tells the surgeon, down to a millimeter, how to manipulate the ligaments and place implants appropriately. The computer can shift the implant position down to a 10th of a millimeter. Good surgeons can make 2mm shifts, but the Mako robot brings joint balance to a new level.

The benefits to the patient are numerous. Partial knee replacement patients are less likely to undergo a revision procedure. Encouraging early data shows they are more likely to have better outcomes in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries. Patients experience improved range of motion, stability in both hips and knees, and leg-length equality.

And regarding benefits to the surgeons, the Mako robot makes their jobs a lot easier.

Mako as a tool that enables surgeons to make their joint replacements more exact, offering unprecedented  precision in implant sizing, balancing, and positioning.

“Total knee and hip surgeries will be more reproducible and tailored to the anatomy of individual patients, thanks to preoperative computer tomography (CT) scans mapping out the patient’s anatomy,” says Dr. Scarlett. “The Mako robot determines the ideal implant size and positioning, so there is less guesswork for the surgeon.”

This tool has the potential to revolutionize  surgeons’ work at the Hospital of Central Connecticut and improve the quality of life for patients.

For more information on joint replacement at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, click here.