LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Baptist Health is the first and only in central Arkansas to offer robotic-arm assisted total knee, partial knee, and total hip replacement with Stryker’s Mako System. This highly advanced robotic technology transforms the way joint replacement surgery is performed, enabling surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased accuracy.
Baptist Health medical centers in Little Rock and North Little Rock will each have a Mako robot for orthopedic cases starting Monday, Feb. 5.
“With Mako, we can provide each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy,” said Dr. Richard Nix, an orthopedic surgeon with Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock. “Using a virtual 3D model, Mako allows surgeons to create each patient’s surgical plan pre-operatively before entering the operating room.”
“During surgery, we can validate that plan and make any necessary adjustments while guiding the robotic-arm to execute that plan,” said Dr. Martin Siems, an orthopedic surgeon with Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock. “It’s exciting how this technology is changing the way joint procedures are done.”
The demand for joint replacements is expected to rise in the next decade. Total knee replacements in the U.S. are estimated to increase by 673 percent over the next 10 years, while primary hip replacements are estimated to increase by 174 percent.
The Mako Total Knee application is a knee replacement treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. Through CT-based 3D
modeling of bone anatomy, surgeons can use the Mako System to create a specific surgical plan and identify the implant size, orientation, and alignment based on each patient’s unique anatomy. The Mako System also enables surgeons to virtually modify the surgical plan intra-operatively and assists the surgeon in executing bone resections.
The Mako Partial Knee application is a treatment option where the knee has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. Following the personalized pre-operative plan, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm during bone preparation to execute the pre-determined surgical plan and position of the implant. By selectively targeting only the part of the knee damaged, surgeons can resurface the diseased portion of the knee, while helping to spare the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding the knee joint.
The Mako Total Hip application is a treatment option for adults who suffer from degenerative joint disease of the hip. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm during bone preparation to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the pre-determined surgical plan.
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health-care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive health-care organization with more than 9,100 employees operating nine hospitals. For more information about the Mako robot, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or visit the website at BaptistHealthOrtho.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.