Robot aims to improve orthopaedic surgery

A HOSPITAL in Chester has introduced new advanced robotic technology to assist with orthopaedic surgery to help improve treatment in the region.

- BY LEENA SIDAT

Nuffield Health Chester, The Grosvenor Hospital, has invested £1 million into its new Mako SmartRobotics system to assist with total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements as the hospital works to meet the increasing demand for orthopaedic surgery for its NHS and private patients.

Thomas Hunter, one of several orthopaedic consultants at the hospital now using the new technology, is excited to offer this option to his patients.

He said: “There is a wealth of global evidence demonstrating the ability of robotic-assisted surgery to help improve safety and outcomes for patients.

“With hip and knee replacement surgery, the aim is to alleviate pain and restore function.

“Mako is able to optimise the surgeon's ability to do this by restoring the patient's anatomy based on detailed pre-operative imaging.

“The surgeon remains fully in control - the robotic arm simply enhances our ability to operate with greater accuracy.”

Surgery, assisted by the Mako robotic arm system, uses advanced 3D imaging from the patient's individual CT scan to create a personalised surgical plan.