Innovative Robotic Technology Brings Personalized Joint Replacement to Lorain County

Mercy Health is excited to announce it is now offering Mako SmartRobotics™ for use in total joint replacement surgery.

The new equipment is located at Mercy Health – Allen Hospital, attached to Oberlin Primary Care, and will transform the way total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements are performed. The equipment helps surgeons know more and cut less, aiding in precision, recovery time, and improved outcomes.

“It’s a great tool,” reports William Hardy, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “It puts our total knee replacements in a more functional alignment.”

Mako SmartRobotics™ combines three key components – 3D CT-based planning, AccuStop™ haptic technology, and insightful data analytics – into one platform that has shown better outcomes for total knee, total hip, and partial knee patients.

“Everybody is different. This tool lets us give patients individualized attention,” adds Dr. Hardy. “The old way of doing it, one size fits all, is not really a great way of doing it. It gives us a lot of customization.”

“I want people to understand that this is not an autonomous device, this is not doing anything on its own,” says Joseph George, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “It is a tool to make sure that the cuts in the knee and the hip are going exactly where we want them to go.

“The whole idea, to me, of doing robotic knee replacements is doing something called functional balancing. What that means is everybody’s knees are a little bit different. It can be a little loose on one side, it can be a little tight on one side.

“What the robotic surgery platform allows us to do is equalize the gaps between the thigh bone and the shin bone when the knee is straight and when the knee is bent. If you can equalize those gaps, you ensure there’s no sloppiness or laxity or wobbling or clunking in the knee. You get a nice solid base on which you can stand.

“It gives us fantastic feedback in the operating room. Once we balance the knee and determine where the cuts are going to go, we bring the robotic arm in. The only thing the robotic arm does is it holds the saw blade exactly where I want it to be.”

Total knee replacements in the United States are expected to increase 189% by 2030, yet studies have shown that approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied after conventional surgery. Mako Total Knee combines Stryker’s advanced robotic technology with its clinically successful Triathlon Total Knee System, which enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased precision and accuracy. In clinical studies, Mako Total Knee demonstrated the potential for patients to experience less pain, less need for opiate analgesics, less need for inpatient physical therapy, reduction in length of hospital stay, improved knee flexion and greater soft tissue protection in comparison to manual techniques.

By 2030, total hip replacements in the United States are projected to grow 171%. Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Hip is a treatment option for adults who suffer from degenerative joint disease of the hip. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm during bone preparation to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the predetermined surgical plan. In a controlled matched-paired study to measure acetabular bone resection, results suggested greater bone preservation for Mako Total Hip compared to manual surgery.

The addition of the Mako SmartRobotics™ equipment is just one of the reasons Mercy Allen has earned quality recognition under president Carrie Jankowski.

Allen Hospital was recognized with the 2023 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality by Chartis Center for Rural Health, and earlier this year, Jankowski was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as a 2024 Rural Hospital and Health System CEO.

“Mercy Health Allen Hospital is dedicated to taking care of our community and is committed to continuous growth in our services,” says Jankowski. “By offering MAKO robotic-assisted surgery, we are investing in advanced technologies that enhance patient care and ensure better outcomes.

“This commitment not only improves our surgical capabilities but also demonstrates our dedication to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of our community, ensuring that residents have access to cutting-edge treatment options right at their doorstep.

“We are here for you now and in the future, continually striving to provide the best care possible.

“In the past year, we have welcomed three new primary care physicians and expanded our services in pain management, OB-GYN, cardiology, and orthopedics, further enhancing the healthcare options available to our community.”

“We are proud to offer this highly advanced SmartRobotics™ technology in our area,” said Dr. George. “This addition to our orthopedic service line further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare.”

To learn more about Mercy Health’s orthopedic services visit mercy.com.