Exploring the benefits of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery

24 Oct 2016

Orthopaedic surgeons at St John of God Subiaco Hospital are leading the way when it comes to using robotic technology to assist with joint replacement surgery.

They were the first in Australia to use this technology in partial knee replacements two years ago, since December 2016 they have been researching its potential long-term benefits in total knee replacements.

Orthopaedics is one of the biggest surgical departments at St John of God Subiaco Hospital, with more than 45 surgeons, and one of the busiest joint replacement units in Australia.

Department Head Orthopaedics Mr Peter Campbell said the outcomes of this research would help to ensure that robotic technology was used effectively and that patients had access to the best and most up-to-date treatments.

“Although it is being used in many places around the world, robotic equipment and technology in orthopaedic surgery is still quite new and the overall effect on patients is relatively unknown,” Mr Campbell said.

Mr Gavin Clark and Mr Dermot Collopy are spearheading this study. Mr Clark said robot-assisted surgery allowed for a more individualised approach to total knee replacements, which could lead to improved long term outcomes for patients.

“For the past 30 years, there has been a one-alignment-fits-all approach to knee replacement surgery,” Mr Clark said.

“But we know from our research that there is a variation in alignment among the normal population.

“Robot-assisted surgery allows us to replicate an individual’s personal alignment during a knee replacement, and our study is aiming to determine whether this variation leads to better outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.”

Mr Clark said the process begins with a CT scan of the patient’s leg, which is used to create a three-dimensional model of the knee. During the operation, the knee is manipulated to see how the surrounding soft tissue behaves, then a ‘virtual’ operation is undertaken on the computer.

The results of this ‘virtual’ surgery are then refined and the robotic technology is activated by the surgeon to complete the final operation.

“The robot allows you to plan and execute an operation to within one degree of accuracy, removing any inaccuracy you might experience with standard instruments,” Mr Clark said.

Early results from this study, which analyses data on patient outcomes, recovery times, complications and time in hospital, look promising, but will be confirmed within the next few months. The next step will be to undertake a randomised, controlled trial comparing the outcomes of robot-assisted surgery with standard practice.

Long-term, Mr Clark said there was exciting potential for this technology to be informed by the experience of the world’s best orthopaedic surgeons, improving global outcomes for knee replacement surgery.

St John of God Foundation Chief Executive Officer Nick Harvey says The Foundation looks to support cutting edge technology just like the orthopaedic robot, to ensure our patients and the community are receiving the best possible care."