Robotic Orthopedic Surgery in La Crosse

Orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse, Wisconsin, perform robotic arm-assisted orthopedic surgery for partial and total knee replacements, and total hip replacements. A surgeon cuts away damaged bone and cartilage, and replaces it with artificial components made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers.

Robotic-assisted joint replacement procedures include:

• Knee replacement
  A total knee replacement involves the entire joint. But if only one section of the knee has been damaged, surgeons can replace just the damaged portion of the knee joint. This is called a partial knee replacement.
• Total hip replacement
  The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, and both sections of the joint are removed and replaced in a total hip replacement procedure.

How robotics can help

There are several different varieties of robotic assistance used for orthopedic surgery. A computerized tomography (CT) scan before surgery is used to plan exactly how much bone should be removed and to aid in maximizing the accuracy of the alignment and placement of the implant. During the surgery, the robotic arm ensures that this plan is followed exactly — so just enough, but not too much, bone is removed.

One of the most difficult aspects of joint replacement surgery is placing the individual components of the artificial joint in the best possible alignment so they will mesh together and work smoothly. The robotic arm provides tactile, visual and auditory feedback to assist the surgeon in achieving the desired orientation, which can enhance stability and mobility.

Ask your surgeon if robotic orthopedic surgery would be a good option for your situation.

Watch Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon Cedric J. Ortiguera, M.D., demonstrate how robotic-arm-assisted knee resurfacing helps patients who need partial knee replacement: