Interactive robots to improve personalized orthopaedic Surgeries

WASHINGTON - A number of new technologies and surgical techniques promise to “personalize” orthopaedic operations such as hip and knee replacement, according to a new research.

The research will be presented at an educational program at Hospital for Special Surgery on October 15 and 16. During “Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery: Review of Emerging Technologies,” prominent orthopaedic researchers will discuss how innovative technologies can improve surgical outcomes.

Currently knee replacement often results in a pain-free joint; however, the prosthetic joint usually does not function as well as a normal, nonarthritic knee.

“Innovative computer-based technologies will further improve surgeries that have been optimized using manual tools,” said Dr. Andrew D. Pearle, associate attending orthopaedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery.

“Newer techniques will improve the patient experience by increasing the durability of joint implants and by quickening the recovery time from less-invasive surgeries,” he added.

Some approaches such as interactive robotics and computer-assisted surgical navigation are already in limited use. Orthopaedic surgeons will present data demonstrating how the newest technologies can further improve the accuracy and reliability of clinical judgments during technically challenging operations, such as knee resurfacing and total joint replacements.

Newer robotic systems allow surgeons to preoperatively plan highly accurate procedures for each patient based on individual bone structure and composition. Surgeons are then able to carry out orthopaedic operations with precision that cannot be matched using only manual techniques.

“We would like to offer innovations that are more patient-specific, require less invasive surgery, and provide better long-term outcomes,” Pearle said. (ANI)