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Using robotic surgical platforms improves patient experience
More and more patients are choosing robotic surgery when they need knee replacement. The benefits are clear: less pain, shorter hospital stays and better outcomes.
But even as this surgical option becomes more popular with patients, there’s still a bit of confusion out there, according to the surgeons at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute.
We asked two of our top joint replacement surgeons for the myths about robotic knee replacements, and for the facts.
Matthew Chorney, MD, sees patients at LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–Hecktown Oaks and has just begun seeing patients at LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–Independence Road in East Stroudsburg.
Christopher Samujh, MD, sees patients at LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine locations in Pittston and Dickson City.
False. Dr. Chorney: “The best analogy I use for patients is to equate the robot with the GPS in your car. While the GPS helps you navigate to your destination, you are still in control and driving. The robot can help guide your surgeon to accurately perform a total joint replacement, but your surgeon is still in control of the operation.”
False. Dr. Samujh: “Some people do think that the robot looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but it’s actually a smaller version of the arm you might see in a car manufacturing plant. And it’s much more accurate than anything we could do with manual instruments alone.”
False: Dr. Chorney: “It has been proven by numerous studies that robotic surgery is safe and reliable. Robotic-assisted total joint replacement provides consistent and accurate results. Robotic total knee replacement minimizes the risk of human error and produces consistent and reliable outcomes to optimize knee function.”
False. Dr. Chorney: “In fact, some studies have shown that because of the accuracy and precision of the robotic arm, patients can expect a more balanced knee replacement. That leads to improved recovery, better outcomes, and may help reduce pain. Also, because the robot affords more accuracy in each cut, this can reduce irritation to the surrounding soft tissues in the knee and help minimize pain.”
False. Dr. Samujh: “Actually, just about anyone who needs a new knee is a good candidate for robotic knee replacement surgery.”
Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute surgeons have performed nearly 3,000 robotic knee replacements since the program began in 2022. For more information on this surgical option:
