Content warning: images of live surgical procedure depicted below written blog content.
On April 1st, 2022, we performed the first robotic total knee replacement (TKR) at our new surgery center PSCV. Our much-anticipated new center opened in mid-December, 2021. In addition to our traditional outpatient cases, we are now performing a large number of our joint replacement and spinal surgeries at the new facility. As you can see from the attached photos, the rooms are spacious and easily accommodate the state-of-the-art equipment we use in joint replacement and spine procedures.
The Velys Robot is part of the digital platform for joint replacement surgery developed by DepuySynthes (a Johnson and Johnson Company). We obtained the first Velys Robot in the U.S. in May 2021 and began doing robotic knee replacements with this device June of the same year. This device offers several advantages over previous robots in that it does not require advanced imagining (MRI, CT scans, etc.) prior to surgery, therefore reducing the cost of care. It is portable and can be moved from room to room in the operating room. It allows the surgeon to plan patient-specific alignment for each patient making the solution fit each patient rather than making the patient fit a fixed solution. The intraoperative planning is followed by precise robotic execution of the plan. The goal is to provide the patient with a stable, well balanced TKA. We are prospectively following our outcomes and have been gratified with the results.
We are excited to offer same day discharge for our joint replacement and spine patients. With our new facility we can make this a reality for the majority of our patients. There are some cases and patients who require overnight stay and we are proud of the heritage and support of our partnership between POA and the Joint and Spine center at UWVMC.
