A woman in the Western Cape has been given a new lease on life following a partial knee replacement, and while that’s not entirely big news on its own, the fact that this surgery was done with help from a robotic arm is.
That robotic arm was created by Mako SmartRobotics and it was operated by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mark van der Kaag at the Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital in the Western Cape.
“Essentially, this robotic surgical system provides additional safeguards to ensure the surgeon only works within the dimensions required for optimal precision. I am fully in control of this highly sophisticated tool at all times, as the robotic software and hardware elements only work as guided by the surgeon through the pre-defined three-dimensional surgical plan,” explains van der Kaag.
Those plans are created using three key components:
- 3D CT scan based planning
- AccuStop technology
- Data analytics
When the time comes for the surgeon to conduct the operation, a virtual 3D scan is placed over the body part – the knee in this case – and this sets the boundary within the surgeon is able to work.
According to a press release issued by Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital “the robotic arm system provides detailed visual, auditory and tactile feedback to assist the surgeon in removing the damaged section of bone, and accurately positioning and aligning the implanted prosthetic component”.
The surgeon says that being able to precisely place the prosthetic knee allows for a more natural feel for the patient and they are able to return to activities they enjoyed before the surgery.
“Before my knee problems, I was an avid runner and I competed in the Two Oceans and various half-marathons. Now seven months after my partial knee replacement, I am cycling at the gym and I am building up by walking longer distances,” says Melanie van Heerden who received the prosthetic knee.
While this surgery was done in the Western Cape, Netcare says that the same Mako robotic arm has been in use at the Netcare Linksfield Hospital in Gauteng.
“Developments in robotic assisted surgery are ushering in a new paradigm in applying world-class technology to surgery, providing greater choice in terms of the options available for patients. As the only hospital in the Western Cape to offer Mako SmartRobotics procedures, we look forward to seeing mobility restored for many more people so that they can enjoy improved quality of life after hip and knee replacements,” says Jacque Du Plessis, managing director of Netcare’s Hospital Division.
We know that medical tech is used widely but it’s always nice to see it working properly and helping surgeons operate at the best of their ability.
Given that the patient is up and about, training herself to get back into an active lifestyle, it’s hard to ignore how far technology has come and how it’s helping folks take back their lives.
