Merrillville, Ind.-based Northwest Regional Surgery became the first ASC in Northwest Indiana to offer patients total knee replacement with Stryker's Mako robotic-arm assisted total knee application earlier this week.
Here's what you should know:
1. Merrillville-based Bone and Joint Specialists' Kenneth Ham, MD, performed the first procedure at the ASC Nov. 2.
"We are proud to be the first surgical facility in Northwest Indiana to offer this highly advanced robotic technology in our area," said Dr. Ham. "This addition to our orthopedic service line further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare."
2. The first procedure was a success and the center is adding cases to the schedule. In addition to Dr. Ham, Michael Knesek, MD, of Bone and Joint Specialists and Jennifer Bayer, MD, of St. John, Ind.-based Great Lakes Orthopedic, will perform TKR at Northwest Regional Surgery Center in the future.
3. The center implemented Stryker's Mako system in response to growing U.S. demand for TKR. By 2030, total knee replacement procedures are expected to increase 673 percent, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
4. The Mako Total Knee application uses a CT-based 3-D bone anatomy modeling for surgeons to personalize their surgical plan and identify implant size, orientation and alignment prior to surgery. Surgeons can also modify the surgical plan intraoperatively.
"It's exciting to be able to offer this transformative technology across the joint replacement service line to perform total and partial knee replacements," said Dr. Knesek.
5. SurgCenter Development is a partner in the center.