Diana Valenti had already had her right knee totally replaced years ago, through traditional, or open, surgery. Now, she needed to a total knee replacement in the opposite knee to end its chronic, debilitating pain.
This time around, the Fort Myers resident opted to try a less invasive surgical option called the ROSA Hip and Knee System, a robotically-assisted surgical system designed to help perform total knee and hip replacement surgery.
The orthopedic robot system is the latest addition to Lee Health’s robust robotics program. Actually, there’s two ROSA systems, and they join the ExcelsiusGPS robotic surgery system and seven da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems already on board to perform minimally invasive surgeries.
These robotic surgery systems enable surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for greater precision and flexibility during procedures. The procedure is performed entirely by a surgeon who controls the system.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Thompson, who performed Diana’s knee replacement, explains that in cases like Diana’s, the ROSA knee replacement system is safer, faster and less painful than conventional knee and hip surgery.
“The results I’ve seen in my patients have been nothing short of amazing,” Dr. Thompson says. “We’re using ROSA technology for total knee and hip replacements. We’re putting in top-of-the-line implants, but with more accuracy and less invasive surgery with the robot. My patients are telling me that their recovery has been much easier and faster than they expected.”
Dr. Thompson stresses the surgeon always maintains control while using a robotic surgery system like the ROSA. The system serves as an assistant, providing objective data about the patient’s unique anatomy to assist the surgeon in making decisions during the procedure.
“The technology allows for greater precision in matching the patient’s natural balance of the knee, assisting in the restoration of each patient’s own unique alignment between the knee, hips, and ankles, which is essential to their comfort and mobility,” he adds. “Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients generally experience less pain after surgery, have a quicker recovery and shorter length of stay in the hospital, and need less medication.”
