HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE PERFORMED THOUSANDS OF ROBOTICASSISTED HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENTS, COMBINING THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO DELIVER OUTSTANDING CARE
BY LISA BUFFINGTON PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY
When nonsurgical treatments such as injections and medications don’t provide sufficient symptom relief for hip or knee pain, elective joint replacement may be an ideal treatment option for damage caused by arthritis, every day wear and tear, or other medical conditions.
Across the Hackensack Meridian Health network, orthopedic surgeons are using advanced robotic surgical technology to precisely and safely perform knee and hip replacement procedures restoring mobility, eliminating joint pain, and returning patients to the activities they love.
“Robotic joint replacement systems have been around for years, and Hackensack Meridian Health was among the early adopters of this technology,” said Anthony J. Costa, M.D., director of the Total Joint Program at Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center. “Now, data from surgeries per formed around the nation and world shows that robotic joint replacement can improve surgical planning and precision, which may enhance patient outcomes.”
Millions of hip and knee replacement procedures are performed across the U.S. each year, and as more patients and physicians realize the benefits of robotic joint replacement, its popularity continues to grow.
“Robotic joint replacement is here to stay,” said Harlan Levine, M.D., chief of Adult Reconstruction and Total Joint Replacement at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. “As robotic technology continues to advance, orthopedic surgeons have been able to increase customization of joint replacement procedures to the unique needs of the patient, because it isn’t a one size fits all procedure.”
To deliver the highest level of personalized joint replacement care, surgeons use data gathered by the robotic surgical system to make a surgical plan tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy. Prior to actually performing surgery, the surgeon can perform the procedure virtually using the robotic surgical system’s surgical planning software selecting the correct component size, determining where to make cuts, and how to place the new joint. “With the robotic surgical system, I can actually do the surgery virtually without the patient even being in the room,” said Dr. Costa. “After the patient is in the OR, I can perform a second virtual surgery and make necessary adjustments to the surgical plan before making cuts. Then, using the robotic surgical system as a guide, I make cuts, place the new joint, and make revisions based on the patient’s anatomy.”
As a result of these surgical planning and simulation capabilities and with an expert surgeon in full control of the robotic surgical system throughout the entire procedure Dr. Levine said many of his patients experience less discomfort, less swelling, and a faster return to a normal range of motion.
“After robotic-assisted joint replacement, patients often tell me that their joint feels more balanced and natural, and that’s because we can personalize the procedure to restore the joint to its natural, healthy state,” said Dr. Levine.
According to Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center orthopedic surgeon Ahmed Siddiqi, D.O., the virtual capabilities, computer-aided navigation, and robot assisted guidance work together to improve precision and accuracy and give patients the best chance of an outstanding outcome. “Without the robot, an orthopedic surgeon can hit the bulls eye most of the time,” said Dr. Siddiqi. “But using the technology, we can hit it 100% of the time.”
When it comes to using robotic-assisted joint replacement technology, Hackensack Meridian Health’s orthopedic surgeons are among the most experienced in New Jersey, successfully treating thousands of patients each year. For patients, this level of experience and expertise translates to lower complication rates and a seamless patient experience.
“Everyone knows that the more you do something, the better you get, and the same principle applies to robotic assisted joint replacement,” said Dr. Costa. “Our experience and volume enable us to assess how patients do after surgery and evolve our techniques and processes to promote improved outcomes.”
For example, Dr. Costa said he uses a surgical technique called kinematic alignment, which preserves the natural alignment of a patient’s joints an ideal fit for the robotic surgical system’s customization capabilities. His experience, which is supported by emerging research, shows that patients who undergo a joint replacement with kinematic alignment have a faster return to normal, natural-feeling range of motion.
“Robotic-assisted joint replacement technology is a tool that can be used to make outcomes even better,” said Dr. Siddiqi. “There are no ‘re-dos’ in joint replacement surgery, and it’s our job to offer the technology that gives us the best chance of getting it right.”
In addition to Hackensack Meridian Health’s skilled orthopedic surgeons, patients have access to an entire team of experienced joint replacement professionals, including robotic surgical technologists, imaging experts, operating room staff, physical therapists, and support staff who are dedicated to helping patients achieve the best possible results. “We’ve developed care procedures that promote patient safety before, during, and after joint replacement surgery, and in our OR, it’s like a specialized, highly choreographed dance,” said Dr. Levine.
Hackensack Meridian Health
Orthopedic Robotic Surgery