Mercy Health Springfield Orthopedic Surgeon Performs Mako Knee Replacement Procedure

Mercy Health – Springfield announces that Springfield Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to offer Stryker’s Mako robotic arm-assisted partial and total knee procedures. This latest advancement transforms knee replacement procedures for the comfort and benefit of patients. Mercy Health Physician Eric Fester, MD, a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon, performed the first robotic-assisted surgery in the region in December 2017.

“Positioning implants correctly and with accuracy is important to both improving the patient’s quality of life after surgery and for the lifespan of the implants used for partial and total knee replacements,” said Dr. Fester. “With the Mako system, I am able to create a virtual 3D model of the individual patient’s anatomy. This allows me to personalize each patient’s surgical plan and determine the most accurate position for the implant before we enter the operating room.”

During surgery, Dr. Fester makes any necessary adjustments to the plan. The robotic arm assists him in aligning the implants precisely for comfort and durability.

As more and more adults embrace active and healthy lifestyles and as surgical procedures have improved, the number of knee replacements in the United States has risen steadily, while the average age of knee replacement patients has declined.

Good total knee replacements last 20 to 30 years. The Mako partial knee replacement procedure is an alternative that can have tremendous benefits for right patients, especially active adults in their 40s and 50s, who, without a partial knee replacement might face reduced knee function and a second total knee replacement as they age.

Debilitating knee damage can occur in any or all of the knee’s three compartments – the knee cap, medial compartment (inside of the knee) or lateral compartment (outside of the knee) – due to eroding meniscus or cartilage. Patients with damage in one compartment may want to consider if Mako partial knee replacement is right for them.

During a Mako partial knee procedure, Dr. Fester replaces the damaged knee area with a plate, in much the same way that a crown takes the place of a bad tooth, while retaining the knee’s own undamaged bone and ligaments. Thanks to assistance from the surgical robot, the procedure is accurate to within a tenth of a millimeter, which decreases the potential for looseness, alignment issues and the need for surgical revision.

The Mako robotic arm-assisted procedure also benefits total knee replacement patients, helping ensure accurate alignment and positioning of implants.

“Well-fitted implants give patients confidence in their mobility and the opportunity to return to active lifestyles,” says Dr. Fester.

”We are proud to be the first to use this innovative technology in the Miami Valley,” said Stephen Sprockett, director of Mercy Health — Springfield Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. “Investments in the latest technology and training are part of our continuing commitment to provide our community with outstanding healthcare.”