Orthopedics & Rehabilitation

Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery 

At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, our orthopedic surgeons use the latest technology and most advanced robotic-arm assisted surgery for total hip, total knee or partial knee arthroplasty as an alternative to traditional replacement surgery.

The state-of-the-art robotic-arm system enables our surgeons to create a unique 3-D model of your bone anatomy prior to the procedure. This 3-D model allows the development of a personalized surgical plan for the placement of your implant with a higher degree of accuracy and precision.

There are three phases to successful robotic-arm assisted surgery:

• Before Surgery – A CT scan of your joint is used to generate a 3D virtual model of your unique anatomy. This model is loaded into the system software to create your personalized pre-operative plan.
• During Surgery – Your surgeon will use the personalized pre-operative plan and robotic-arm to assist in performing your surgery. The system allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed, and provides a more accurate placement and alignment of your implant.
• After Surgery – Your orthopedic team of surgeons, nurses and therapists will set goals with you to get you back on the “road to recovery” and will closely monitor your condition and progress.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged joint is replaced with an artificial joint called an implant. The artificial joint is made of metals and plastics to match the function of bone and cartilage and is designed to move much like a healthy human joint.

The knee joint is formed by the ends of three bones, which are connected by tissue bands called ligaments to stabilize the joint. These bones consist of the lower end of the thigh bone, or femur; the upper end of the shin bone, or tibia; and the kneecap, or patella.

Our orthopedic surgeons and team of specialists perform both total knee replacements and partial knee replacements using the robotic-arm technology to repair the damaged or injured knee. This technology is designed to provide patients with a surgical experience that is tailored to their individual diagnosis and anatomy. Once a diagnosis has been developed, your surgeon will discuss which procedure and care plan is best for you.

Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is a resurfacing procedure where the diseased or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called an implant.

Partial Knee Replacement

Partial knee replacement is a surgical procedure that helps relieve arthritis in one or two of the three compartments of the knee. Only the damaged part of the knee is replaced and may include:

• Unicondylar Knee Replacement – A procedure to replace only the medial or lateral compartment of the knee.
• Patellofemoral Knee Replacement – A procedure to replace the worn patella (kneecap) and the trochlea (groove at the end of the thigh bone).
• Bicompartmental Knee Replacement – A procedure to replace two compartments of the knee, the medial and patellofemoral compartments.

Hip Replacement Surgery

In total hip replacement surgery, the portions of the hip joint that contain the damaged surfaces are replaced with precision metal and plastic parts accepted by the body which provide a smooth and painless range of motion. Your surgeon will make every effort to restore your hip to a condition that resembles its healthy preoperative status and to correct any deformity that may have existed.

By using the surgeon-controlled robotic arm system, patients experience improved accuracy in placement of the hip implant which reduces the likelihood of hip dislocation. The state-of-the-art procedure also provides a more precise consistency in leg length, potentially decreasing the need for a shoe lift and a decreased risk of the implant and bone abnormally rubbing together

Common Causes of Hip or Knee Pain

Each patient is unique and can experience hip or knee pain for different reasons. Common causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis is often referred to as degenerative arthritis, a condition caused by the wearing out or breaking down of the cartilage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis produces chemical changes in the lining of the joints, or synovium, and causes the joint to become inflamed. The synovial fluid then destroys the cartilage which results in cartilage loss. In both cases, when the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub against one another causing pain and stiffness.

Since your hips and knees are the largest joints in your body and are central to nearly every routine activity you perform, if they become diseased or injured, the pain can become debilitating and limit your ability to function.

If you or someone you know has not experienced adequate relief with medication or other traditional treatments for joint pain, robotic-arm assisted surgery may be the answer. Take the first step to regaining mobility and returning to your favorite activities by scheduling an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists