Bassett Surgeons Now Offering Robot-Guided Partial Knee Replacement at A.O. Fox Hospital

Less pain and quicker recovery are among the benefits of robot-guided partial knee replacement and this new, innovative procedure was performed for the first time at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, NY, earlier this month. Dr. Michael Diaz, an orthopedic surgeon with the Bassett Medical Group, performed the area's first partial knee replacement using the NAVIO surgical system.

"The NAVIO system uses image-guided technology to see and treat only the damaged part of the knee," said Diaz. "So with this system, we spare the healthy bone while regaining knee function. It provides Bassett Healthcare Network patients more options in knee pain surgery so they don't have to wait until they are ready for a total knee replacement."

The NAVIO system is an advancement in the way Bassett's orthopedic surgeons perform partial knee replacement. The system works in conjunction with the surgeon's skilled hands to achieve precise positioning of the knee implant based on each patient's unique anatomy. Using computer assistance to re-create the patient's anatomy, a 3D model of the patient's knee is generated on screen. Using this model, the NAVIO system computer allows the surgeon to create a specialized surgical plan tailored to each patient's anatomy and ligament balance. After creating a plan, the surgeon uses the NAVIO instrument to sculpt away only the bone damaged by osteoarthritis, preserving all the ligaments. Once the damaged bone is removed, the artificial implant is secured into place. The instrument does not perform the procedure; rather, it assists the skilled surgeon by providing heighted accuracy and precision. This added level of accuracy can help improve the function, feel and longevity of the partial knee implant.

As a partial knee replacement procedure, the NAVIO system offers a number of benefits compared to total knee replacement, including:

• Less pain
• Quicker rehabilitation and recovery
• Lower risk of complications
• More natural knee movement
• Smaller incisions
• Improved range of motion
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less removal of bone and cartilage
• No removal of ligaments

Dr. Michael Diaz, Dr. James Scott, Dr. Jackson LaBudde, and Dr. Jonathon Richman perform this procedure at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, NY.