At The Steadman Clinic, Team Cafferky has embraced the role of robots in the operating room. 

Robot Surgical Assistants (ROSA) have been around for years, but the technology has come a long way. Here’s what you need to know about the robotic surgery Dr. Cafferky and his team can provide for your total knee replacement.

Benefits and Risks of a Robotic Surgery for Knee Replacements

Because robotic surgery allows for greater precision in total knee replacements, there are some clear benefits to you, the patient. These include:

• Personalization: Before your surgery, the Robot Surgical Assistant takes x-rays to create a 3D model of your knee. This allows Dr. Cafferky to tailor the surgery to your unique anatomy. 

• Highly Accurate Implant Placement: During your procedure, the Robot Surgical Assistant provides Dr. Cafferky with real-time data about your knee and where it is in space. Using this information, Dr Cafferky can position your knee implant and restore the biomechanics of your knee replacement with greater scientific accuracy.

• Reduced Recovery Time: In general, robotic surgery involves smaller incisions and greater precision. Because of this, less bone and tissue are disturbed - meaning your recovery time is shortened. 

• A More “Natural Feeling” Implant: A common dissatisfaction of traditional knee replacement is joint awareness. Some patients report that simple actions, such as kneeling or walking down a flight of stairs, can trigger joint awareness. The personalization of your robotic surgery means your implant is customized to your knee. This results in a more “natural feeling” outcome. 

As with any surgery, there are risks involved. The risks of robotic surgery are the same as those of traditional surgery. Dr. Cafferky and his team will assess your medical history and discuss all the potential risks of your total knee replacement - whether you opt for the traditional or robotic procedure. 

Common Questions About Robotic Surgery

While robotic surgery has been around for years, there are still several misconceptions about this technology and its role in the operating room. Some important facts keep in mind about robotic surgery at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery are:

1. Dr. Cafferky and his team still perform your surgery. A Robot Surgical Assistant is precisely that: an assistant. Dr. Cafferky still performs the procedure and is in control of every step of the surgery. The difference is a robotic arm is used during the operation to help Dr. Cafferky operate with greater precision.

2. Zimmer Biomet is our chosen Robot Surgical Assistant for total knee replacements. The Zimmer Biomet ROSA Knee System uses data collected before your surgery to help Dr. Cafferky and his team recommend an implant that’s right for you. It’s designed to increase efficiency during surgery by providing the team with real-time data to improve their operating room technique. 

3. Data is still needed, but you are not an experiment. There is evidence that robotic surgery has better outcomes than traditional knee replacements, more information is needed to understand why. Dr. Cafferky partners with the Vail-Summit Orthopaedic Foundation to gather this data with the goal of improving the future of orthopaedic medicine. By participating in this study, you are not receiving experimental technology. Instead, you are helping us find the evidence that supports your surgical outcome. 

While robotic surgery is shown to improve outcomes, they are not a replacement for operating room experience. It’s essential to do your research to find an orthopaedic surgeon (such as Dr. Cafferky and his team) with a track record of positive patient outcomes.

Are You a Candidate for Robotic Knee Replacement?

If your doctor recommends a total knee replacement, you are a candidate for a robotic knee replacement! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cafferky and his team today. They’ll discuss whether robotic knee replacement surgery is right for you.