Karen Prins
Chief Executive Officer, BMI Healthcare
Thousands of people have done so over the last few years, and now patients at BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital in West London, BMI The Alexandra Hospital near Manchester and BMI Werndale Hospital in Carmarthen can too.
The three hospitals have robotic-assisted systems, which are designed to make the surgery more precise, resulting in less impact on soft surrounding tissues of the knee and a straight-forward recovery.
“The use of robots in surgery is not new, so patients can feel reassured that the use of them in surgery has been tested thoroughly,” says BMI’s Chief Executive Dr Karen Prins. “The availability of robotic-assisted surgery gives patients the option for a bespoke operation.”
The robotic assisted procedure allows for a more precise and accurate knee replacement implant
3D modelling to ensure a precise fit
The robot uses 3D modelling to assess the extent of diseased bone and surface mapping to capture the patient’s individual joint profile. A tracking mechanism turns off the system if the surgeon attempts to remove healthy bone during the operation, ensuring that only diseased bone is removed prior to being replaced with the desired implant.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Winston Kim, of BMI The Alexandra Hospital, said: “The robotic assisted procedure allows for a more precise and accurate knee replacement implant, tailored to the patient’s anatomy and alignment. In comparison to traditional methods, the system has the potential to increase the likelihood of a more natural-feeling knee after surgery.”
Research shows reduced pain after robotic-assisted surgery
Research studies indicate that total joint arthroplasties performed under robotic-assisted surgery are associated with reduced pain, improved recovery and reduced length of hospital stay compared with conventional job-based operations.
