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4 | January 11, 2018 | 22nd century media Healthy Living
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Ingalls expands robotassisted
surgeries to include
partial knee replacements
The partial knee replacement surgery
Nicole Calmes had earlier this year was
not her first rodeo. She had one on her left
knee five years ago and knew the drill.
But it was the only robotic-assisted surgery
she ever had. In fact, it was a first
for UChicago Medicine Ingalls, too, since
investing in the highly advanced Mako
robotic system.
“It was pretty exciting,” the 46-year-old
Lockport corrections officer said.
Like Calmes’ other partial knee five
years ago, orthopedic surgeon Daniel Weber,
MD, performed this one, too, making
him the very first surgeon to use the Mako
system at Ingalls.
Mako surgery is a newer approach to
joint replacement that offers unparalleled
accuracy when placing and aligning a
new joint, and that translates to a longerlasting
knee. Although the revolutionary
technology is used only for partial knee
replacements for now, eventually it will
expand to total knees later this year.
With robotic-guided precision, Mako
allows a surgeon to carefully target and
resurface the part of the knee damaged
by osteoarthritis, leaving the healthy bone
and ligaments intact. It begins with CT
imaging of the knee before surgery that
enables the surgeon to create a patientspecific
plan.
But unlike other partial knee systems
that stop there, the Mako takes it an important
step further.
“The biggest advantage of the system is
that it gives the surgeon the ability to finetune
that plan during surgery and then execute,”
Weber explained.
This allows for the most precise alignment
of the new joint, and the most natural
fit and feel for the patient.
The highly intelligent Mako system
guides the surgeon within a predefined
area, preventing movement outside the
planned boundaries. To work properly,
the components must be put in with extreme
accuracy. Even a millimeter or two
of tilt or rotation can dramatically affect
the wear patterns and longevity of the
components. (Think of a car out of alignment
and how it leads to rapid tire wear.)
“This helps provide more accurate
placement and alignment of your implant
and helps minimize pain after surgery,”
Weber added.
Other benefits include less blood loss
during surgery and a shorter hospital stay.
It all adds up to better outcomes for the
patient. And for Calmes, who stands up to
16 hours a day at her job, that is music to
her ears.
“I work in a prison and wear boots all
day on a concrete floor,” the mother of
five says. “It’s hard on the joints.”
Especially when one has bone-on-bone
arthritis. Before her February surgery,
Calmes barely could walk or take the
stairs.
I was like a little kid, taking the stairs
one step at a time,” she recalled.
Once she is healed, the former high
school track star said she looks forward to
getting back to the gym.
“I was able to walk on it the day after
surgery with no problems,” she added. “I
seem to be healing better this time, and
the pain after surgery wasn’t as bad either.
I’m really happy with the results so far.
Dr. Weber is the best.”
Submitted by UChicago Medicine Ingalls
Memorial. For more information, visit www.
ingalls.org or call (708) 915-7246.