Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital recently launched a new, innovative robotic surgery option for knee-replacement surgery as part of its orthopaedic programme.
Patients at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital are now benefiting from precise and personalised knee-replacement surgery with a robotic surgical assistant, called the ROSA Knee System.
This system enables surgeons to carry out knee-replacement procedures with greater precision and provides a higher standard of care during such surgery. It utilises real-time information and assists surgeons with precise placement of the knee implants based on a person’s unique knee anatomy.
The procedure is typically recommended for individuals with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee, exhibiting symptoms such as knee pain, knee swelling and knee locking that is not amenable to conservative treatment, as well as to patients with damaged knees due to severe injuries.
“At Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital we strive to provide quality care and a quality patient experience which is why we are excited about the robotic technology and proud to offer this advanced, less invasive option that can provide a higher degree of accuracy and improved surgical outcomes to our patients,” said Adri Botes, Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital manager.
How does robotic-assisted knee (ROSA) replacement surgery work?
The pre-operative preparation is similar to most total knee-replacement procedures. However, contrary to traditional knee-replacement techniques, the ROSA Knee System utilises a series of X-rays to generate 3D images of an individual’s unique knee anatomy. This 3D image enables the surgeon to design a personalised plan based on the specifics of an individual’s knee anatomy prior to performing total knee-replacement surgery.
Robotic knee replacement does not mean that an actual robot performs the entire surgery.
The surgery is performed entirely by the surgeon. During the surgery, the ROSA Knee System functions like a high-tech GPS system utilising optical trackers and a mini-camera attached to the patient’s leg to determine the exact position of the knee.
The robotic arm adjusts even with the slightest movement of the leg, ensuring the surgical plan designed by the surgeon is carried out without any changes and with precision.
The ROSA Knee System helps the surgeon to remove the arthritic portion in the knee and to precisely replace it with an artificial joint according to the orthopaedic plan. Finally, to ensure the best possible outcome, ROSA helps the surgeon to assess the knee with the implant in place.
Patients have found the new technology reassuring, and have given positive feedback post-surgery. “I was excited when Dr Mostert said the robotic arm assisted surgery was an option for me because I believe that using the latest technology in healthcare can help surgeons to offer their patients an even better outcome,” *Mr Xavier stated.
“I dreaded going in for the surgery. I was in constant pain, and it was stealing from my quality of life. So many everyday activities became virtually impossible for me,” recalled Mrs Van Vuuren, 80, the first patient to undergo a procedure with the ROSA robotic arm assisted surgery at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital.
She said her specialist, Dr Graham Davis really helped prepare her for the surgery, taking his time to explain the whole procedure in detail before she went in for the procedure. “I knew exactly what to expect,” she said.
“The recovery from the surgery surpassed my wildest expectation. At my age, you have to have a positive mindset when dealing with challenges like this; if not you can often delay your recovery. Mentally, I was prepared for the surgery and ready to embrace my recovery positively, so I was thrilled that only six days after surgery I was able to walk without crutches.”
Benefits of robotic-assisted knee surgery
Robotic-assisted procedures allow for greater precision and have been associated with reduced pain, faster recovery times and better results. In more complex cases, a robotic-assisted knee replacement offers a better balance in the soft tissues around the knee, and better aligns the joint. Robotic surgery has also been linked to shorter hospital stays, lower rates of hospital readmission, and patients requiring less physical rehabilitation compared to patients who undergo traditional knee-replacement surgery.
”The future for patient satisfaction of total knee replacements looks like robotic-assisted surgery,” concluded Adri.
For more information on the orthopaedic surgeons who perform robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital contact +27 11 796 6500 or send an email
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*A pseudonym
