Atlantic General Hospital Offers Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgeries

On September 12, Atlantic General Hospital became the first hospital on the Eastern Shore to offer Mako SmartRobotics™ to patients undergoing joint replacement. This advancement in joint replacement surgery, which received FDA approval in 2015, has transformed the way total knee and hip replacements are performed.

Robotic-arm assisted surgery is a newer approach to joint replacement that offers the potential for a higher level of patient-specific implant alignment and positioning. The technology allows surgeons to create a patient-specific 3D plan and perform joint replacement using a surgeon-controlled robotic arm that helps execute the procedure with a high degree of accuracy.

Demands for total knee replacements in the United States are expected to increase 189% by 2030, yet studies have shown that approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied after conventional surgery. Mako Total Knee combines Stryker’s advanced robotic technology with its clinically successful Triathlon Total Knee System, which enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased precision and accuracy.

The Mako system better addresses the increasing need for hip replacement in the community’s active aging population as well. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the predetermined surgical plan. In a controlled matched-paired study to measure pelvic bone tissue removal, results suggested greater bone preservation for Mako Total Hip compared to manual surgery.

Mako SmartRobotics™ consists of three unique components:

• 3D CT-based planning,
• AccuStop™ haptic technology, and
• insightful data analytics

.In clinical studies, Mako Total Knee demonstrated the potential for patients to experience less pain, less need for opioids to manage pain, less need for inpatient physical therapy, reduction in length of hospital stay, and improved knee flexion and soft tissue protection in comparison to manual techniques.

“With Mako SmartRobotics, I know more about my patients than ever before, and I’m able to cut the bone more precisely. For some patients, this can mean less soft tissue damage; for others, greater bone preservation.” said Sean Hooker, MD, medical director for orthopedics at Atlantic General Hospital. “Mako’s 3D CT allows me to create a personalized plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy all before entering the operating room.”

“During surgery, I can validate that plan and make any necessary adjustments while guiding the robotic arm to execute that plan. It’s exciting to be able to offer this transformative technology across the joint replacement service line to perform both partial and total knee replacements and total hip replacements. Eventually, we will expand our capabilities to provide Mako robotic arm-assisted shoulder replacements as well.”

“We are proud to be the first hospital in the area to offer this highly advanced robotic technology,” said Bonnie Shope, director of surgical services at Atlantic General Hospital. “This addition to our orthopedic service line further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare.”

The surgeons of Atlantic General Orthopedic Surgery and Atlantic Orthopaedics will be performing knee and hip surgeries at Atlantic General Hospital using the Mako SmartRobotics system. More information can be found at www.agh.care/mako.

About the Surgeons

Atlantic General Orthopedic Surgery
Christopher Farrell, MD
M. Sean Hooker, MD
314 Franklin Avenue, Suite 201
Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 629-0366

Atlantic Orthopaedics
Thomas Beck, DO
Philip Spinuzza, DO
314 Franklin Avenue, Suite 105-B
Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-1900