Dr. Matthew T. Hummel of Commonwealth Orthopaedic Centers performed the first total knee replacement surgery using new robotic-arm assisted technology at St. Elizabeth Healthcare — technology available at only a handful of medical centers in the nation.
Today’s successful surgery was performed using a device called the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System. The surgeon’s use of the robotic-arm system brings exceptional accuracy to the surgery — which can mean the patient has a much better result, with more natural movement and less pain after the surgery.
Together with highly detailed computerized scans of the knee before surgery, the robotic arm-assisted device ensures incredibly accurate cuts for the surgery, along with precise alignment and placement of the knee implant. The device allows for accuracy within a single millimeter, or the thickness of a thread.
Matthew Hummel
“I think our ability to use this advanced technology can really change the world for our patients who need this type of surgery,” Hummel said. “With our surgical expertise and with this equipment, this surgery can now be performed with exceptional accuracy, providing better results for patients.”
The Food and Drug Administration approved the robotic-arm assisted technology for total knee replacement in August 2015, but the equipment won’t be available to most health systems until 2018. St. Elizabeth is among a small number of centers nationwide that are using the technology. St. Elizabeth was chosen for the technology’s early use because Commonwealth Orthopaedic Centers’ surgeons who practice at the medical center have significant experience in using similar robotic equipment for hip and partial knee replacement surgeries.
The robotic technology for the total knee replacement procedure enables the surgeon to complete a patient-specific pre-surgical plan for how the surgery can be performed for best results. Using a CT scan of the patient’s knee taken before the surgery, the surgeon uses a three-dimensional view provided by the technology to precisely place the implant in the best position for that patient’s knee.
The procedure is less invasive than traditional surgery, meaning patients often experience less pain after surgery, less hospitalization and more rapid recovery. Patients also often feel better motion and a more natural-feeling knee after the surgery.
The surgery is the most recent example of Commonwealth Orthopaedic Centers and St. Elizabeth Healthcare being at the forefront of orthopaedic surgical care.
In January, together they became the first in the world to offer a new shoulder replacement surgery that preserves the patient’s rotator cuff, resulting in less pain and shorter recovery time. The procedure, called the Rotator Cuff Sparing Method for Total Shoulder Replacement, was developed by R. Michael Greiwe, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon with Commonwealth Orthopaedic Centers, practicing at St. Elizabeth.
From St. Elizabeth Healthcare communications
Dr. Hummel is a phenomenal surgeon. I had a full hip replacement on February 27 and walked out of the hospital two days later with full use of hip with no need for a cane, walker, crutches or follow up physical therapy and little pain. Kudos to Dr. Hummel and the staff of St. Elizabeth.
Both hips replaced within 8 weeks of each other! Dr. Hummel is the best and gave me a big part of my life back! Love him and his skills, recommend him anytime!