Robotic knee replacement is the next evolutionary step in surgical navigation. Dr. Kurtz (and other surgeons) has navigated knee replacements for the past 20 years. The software in today’s robotic systems has drastically improved the capabilities in knee replacement surgery.

During robotic knee surgery, Dr. Kurtz can analyze 40-50 different variables intraoperatively to balance the knee ligaments using the bone cuts instead of releasing knee ligaments. This virtual implant positioning allows Dr. Kurtz to deliver a patient-specific surgical technique that is unique to that patient. The robotic saw then performs the patient-specific bone cuts which can minimize the need for ligament releases.

The improved outcomes with robotic knee replacement are surgeon-dependent. The robot is just a tool. Some surgeons know how to utilize the robot to do surgery in ways that were previously impossible without the robot. Many surgeons continue to do their same traditional knee replacement surgical technique but just use the robot to market themselves as robotic surgeons. Just because someone has a new golf club does not mean that they can outdrive a professional golfer, but a professional golfer can probably drive the ball further with today’s golf equipment.

There are currently three orthopedic companies that are heavily invested in robotics, Stryker (Mako), Smith & Nephew (Navio), and Zimmer Biomet (Rosa).

Dr. Kurtz performs both partial and total knee replacements using Stryker’s Mako system at St. Thomas Midtown and Baptist Ambulatory Surgery Center (BASC).